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Zao Now: Thursday 4th December 2014

  • Dec 4, 2014
  • 2 min read

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata


New snowfall at base 30cm
Snowfall at base this season 140cm

Posted on Thursday 4th December 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here.


My oh my what a start to December this is. Masses of snow. Over 30cm since my report yesterday to report.


But. No ski lifts running yet. I think all of the lifties are in some state of shock or something. Or maybe not. Just coping with this somewhat unexpected royally large dump of snow that we have had. Not that we are complaining...


Chuo area now officially reporting 120cm of snow and apparently up on Utopia there's 130cm.


The official opening ceremony for the resort is as I reported before on Saturday, but can we possibly see the whole mountain open then? I would say there's definitely a chance.


A bit clearer at hhe moment and less wind but snow still falling and snowy conditions likely into the weekend as well.


Official snow depths:

Utopia: -cm

Chuo: 120cm

Paradise: -cm

Uwanodai: -cm



Zao Now 2014-2015 season

Data as of Thursday 4th December 2014 Total snowfall at base 140cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 5 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 80cm (on 3rd December) November 2014 snowfall 20cm observed on 2 days December 2014 snowfall 120cm observed on 3 days




All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Zao Onsen. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report.


SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for.



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