Towards the end of yesterday it started snowing again and was getting blustery at the top of the Chuo No.2 (12).

A very Merry Christmas to all from Zao Onsen.

Horror story in the valley last night - it was raining!

It's a strange day today. Started early but still, at 09:00 I seemed to be the only one up here (writing this on the Sky Cable).

Well folks, a measly offering this morning of new snow but the good news is that it continues and more decent amount expected tomorrow.

Continued to snow last night steadily building up the base all around.

Although it started snowing again yesterday at around 14:00, overall disappointing considering that the forecast said "heavy" - boo!

It is a glorious day out there with blue skies and people are making the most of it since snow is still forecasted during the day, turning heavy tonight.

Snow plough rumbled by at 04:00 and my ruler on the roof read +22cm (after clearing it has already coming back!) and sufficient to see the Diamond Valley and Uwanodai slopes opening.

Brrr a chilly morning at -8C (not after a morning onsen though but someone seems to have over compensated and I reckon it was 44C, so not a long dip).

Went to bed last night not at all happy with the forecasters - it was starry! - however, Bingo, this morning a further 11cms.

It is always good to be woken up by the sound of the road clearance bulldozer (the earlier the better as an indication of how much fell overnight).

The car looked like sugar frosting on a cupcake this morning but, the good news is that it was extremely fluffy powder.

Hello and welcome to the Zao Now reports.