top of page

Zao Now: Monday 9th April 2018

  • Apr 9, 2018
  • 2 min read

Updated: Oct 6, 2025

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata


New snowfall at base 12cm
Snowfall at base this season 765cm

Posted on Monday 9th April 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here.


Good morning from Zao.


We had some fresh snow yesterday in a return to winter-like conditions. Always very good to see that happen and a bonus for everyone who was able to be here to enjoy it.


Note: the snow I'm recording in this report is from yesterday.


This morning it is mostly cloudy with some light snow falling in places.


Things should clear up by tomorrow with sunny skies forecast along with temperatures rising a little during the week.


Next report due by the weekend.


Lift info:


Plan to be operating as long as there is enough snow:


- Yokokura Number 1 pair A

- Kurohime quad

- Utopia Number 2 pair


Planning to be operating until 15th April:

- Paradise pair

- Katakai triple


Planning to be operating until 6th May:


- Chuo Number 1 pair AB

- Chuo Number 2 pair AB


Operating (for sightseeing) throughout the year:


- Zao Ropeway

- Zao Chuo Ropeway

- Sky Cable


Official snow depths:


- Summit area: 110cm

- Paradise area: 110cm

- Chuo area: 100cm

- Utopia area: 135cm

- Uwanodai area: 30cm

- Oomori area: 30cm



Zao Now 2017-2018 season

Data as of Monday 9th April 2018 Total snowfall at base 765cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 66 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 42cm (on 12th February) November 2017 snowfall 66cm observed on 5 days December 2017 snowfall 193cm observed on 19 days January 2018 snowfall 275cm observed on 21 days February 2018 snowfall 195cm observed on 15 days March 2018 snowfall 24cm observed on 5 days April 2018 snowfall 12cm observed on 1 day




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