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Zao Now: Wednesday 7th January 2026

  • Jan 7
  • 2 min read

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata


New snowfall at base 2cm
Snowfall at base this season 163cm

Posted on Wednesday 7th January 2026 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here.


Early morning we have had some blue sky but it is largely cloudy.


Just a few more cm at base since yesterday (the ski area reports 5cm from on mountain).


More snow is forecast for tomorrow.


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Ski lifts:

All scheduled to be operating apart from Yokokura Number 2


Ski runs:

All of the main areas are open with just a few restrictions remaining


Official snow depth (reported by ski area):

Yokokura area: 35cm

Uwanodai area: 45cm

Utopia area: 80cm

Chuo area: 60cm

Paradise area: 60cm

Summit area: 65cm


More information about the ski area: Zao Onsen


Zao Now

2025-2026 season

Data as of Wednesday 7th January 2026


Total snowfall at base

163cm

Number of days snowfall observed at base

26 days

Most snowfall observed in 1 day

23cm (on 4th December)

November 2025 snowfall

5cm observed on 2 days

December 2025 snowfall

120cm observed on 18 days

January 2026 snowfall

38cm observed on 6 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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