top of page

Zao Now: Friday 5th April 2019

  • Apr 5, 2019
  • 2 min read

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata


New snowfall at base 2cm
Snowfall at base this season 562cm

Posted on Friday 5th April 2019 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here.


There was a few cm of snow yesterday morning at base with more than that at higher elevations (included in this report) but this morning it warmer and feeling much more like spring again.


The sun is out and blue skies. Similar weather is forecast for tomorrow.


There is some ground showing through on some lower slopes that remain open now but still pretty decent cover considering. And top areas are planning on being open until 6th May.


Official snow depths (as reported by resort):


- Summit area: 115cm

- Paradise area: 155cm

- Chuo area: 155cm

- Utopia area: 180cm

- Uwanodai area: 90cm

- Oomori area: 70cm


These are the planned lift closing dates - subject to change depending on snow conditions.


Operating until 7th April:

- Mikaeri pair

- Onsen Number 1 pair

- Onsen Number 2 quad

- Shobunuma Number 2 pair


Operating until 14th April:

- Katakai triple: daily until 7th April and then 13th, 14th April

- Paradise pair AB: daily until 7th April and then 13th, 14th April


Operating until 6th May:

- Chuo Number 1 pair

- Chuo Number 2 pair: daily until 7th April and then 20th, 21st, 27th, 28th, 29th April, 3rd-6th May


Operating as long as snow allows:

- Yokokura Number 1 pair AB

- Kurohime quad


Operating through the year (for sightseeing):

- Sky Cable

- Chuo Ropeway

- Zao Ropeway


* Other ski lifts already closed

* All dates subject to change depending on snow conditions



Zao Now 2018-2019 season

Data as of Friday 5th April 2019 Total snowfall at base 562cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 56 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 43cm (on 29th December) November 2018 snowfall 7cm observed on 3 days December 2018 snowfall 218cm observed on 18 days January 2019 snowfall 145cm observed on 17 days February 2019 snowfall 91cm observed on 10 days March 2019 snowfall 66cm observed on 5 days April 2019 snowfall 35cm 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.



bottom of page