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Zao Now: Wednesday 5th January 2022

  • Jan 5, 2022
  • 2 min read

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata


New snowfall at base 12cm
Snowfall at base this season 269cm

Posted on Wednesday 5th January 2022 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here.


More snow last night but strangely the powder feels quite heavy albeit temperatures are way down. Some of the lifts opened late due to the new dump higher up


It looks foggy but viz is actually quite clear with even views down to the valley at mid points.


The wind is beginning to pick up but the sun is valiantly trying to burn through.


Most of the slopes have now been chopped up but still a fine day for being on the slopes.


Official snow depth


Summit: 90cm

Paradise: 130cm

Chuo: 130cm

Utopia: 195cm

Uwanodai: 100cm


Almost all lifts and areas and runs are scheduled to be open.



Zao Now 2021-2022 season

Data as of Wednesday 5th January 2022 Total snowfall at base 269cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 22 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 30cm (on 27th and 28th December) November 2021 snowfall 38cm observed on 3 days December 2021 snowfall 160cm observed on 14 days January 2022 snowfall 71cm observed on 5 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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