Zao Now: Friday 8th January 2016
- Jan 8, 2016
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 4, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata
New snowfall at base 12cm
Snowfall at base this season 141cm
Posted on Friday 8th January 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here.
Strong winds and blowy conditions out on the slopes yesterday, but some improved conditions especially on upper slopes areas with snow continuing to fall... and it was cold too.
This morning there's 12cm of fresh snow outside since my last report. This new snow has covered some of the patchy lower slopes and things certainly look better, though we of course in need of more snow.
I have heard from a friend that the lower Nakamori area is actually skiable but the lifts on that area still appear to be closed (and officially the area is not open).
It's calmer this morning and lots of grey cloud around as I am writing this report. Snowfall is expected today and tomorrow... and through the weekend into early week as well. Sunday in particular is looking good for some potentially heavy snowfall. I can't wait to see some of that! It might also be pretty stormy and windy out there with the potential to affect lift operations, hopefully not but something to keep an eye on.
Monday 11th January is a national holiday in Japan, making this weekend a popular one so I would expect Zao to be busy.
A snowy weekend please!
Most of the lifts at Zao Onsen are now operating.
Most areas of Zao Onsen are at least part open but snow is still thin on the ground and patchy in lower areas of the resort.
The areas that remain 'closed' are Ryuzan, Omori, Kotan and the central run by the Nakamori lifts.
Official snow depths:
Utopia: 50cm
Chuo: 70cm
Paradise: 50cm
Uwanodai: 20cm
Zao Now 2015-2016 season |
Data as of Friday 8th January 2016 Total snowfall at base 141cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 19 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 22cm (on 27th December) November 2015 snowfall 22cm observed on 2 days December 2015 snowfall 96cm observed on 12 days January 2016 snowfall 23cm 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.