Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata New snowfall at base 30cm Snowfall at base this season 140cm Posted on Thursday 4th December 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . My oh my what a start to December this is. Masses of snow. Over 30cm since my report yesterday to report. But. No ski lifts running yet. I think all of the lifties are in some state of shock or something. Or maybe not. Just coping with this somewhat unexpected royally large dump of snow that we have had. Not that we are complaining... Chuo area now officially reporting 120cm of snow and apparently up on Utopia there's 130cm. The official opening ceremony for the resort is as I reported before on Saturday, but can we possibly see the whole mountain open then? I would say there's definitely a chance. A bit clearer at hhe moment and less wind but snow still falling and snowy conditions likely into the weekend as well. Official snow depths: Utopia: -cm Chuo: 120cm Paradise: -cm Uwanodai: -cm Zao Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Thursday 4th December 2014 Total snowfall at base 140cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 5 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 80cm (on 3rd December) November 2014 snowfall 20cm observed on 2 days December 2014 snowfall 120cm observed on 3 days Previous report Next report 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. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata New snowfall at base 5cm Snowfall at base this season 168cm Posted on Thursday 11th December 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . 5cm or so of fresh snow to report since my last report. It was cold and windy yesterday but it's different again this morning - just a cloudy start to the day here, no wind and temperatures in positive numbers... +4 degrees in the village. Strong winds and a big winter storm just ahead though - it might not be the 'friendliest' of conditions out there this weekend if the forecast gets it right. It should be be cold, windy and we should be getting lots of fresh snow. Perhaps enough to get the whole mountain open next week? We shall see, and I will report! News on nighta operations at Zao: Uwanodai area: From Sunday 21st December until 22nd March Yokokura area: From Friday 26th December until 4th January; Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Friday 9th January until 15th March Open times from 5pm until 9pm and the cost is 2000 yen for adults and 1000 yen for children. Operating lifts at time of writing: Onsen Number 1 pair lift Mikaeri pair lift Chuo pair lift Paradise pair lift Yokokura Number 1 pair lift Utopia Number 2 pair lift All Ropeways/gondolas Official snow depths: Utopia: 140cm Chuo: 90cm Paradise: 110cm Uwanodai: 90cm Zao Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Thursday 11th December 2014 Total snowfall at base 168cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 9 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 80cm (on 3rd December) November 2014 snowfall 20cm observed on 2 days December 2014 snowfall 148cm observed on 7 days Previous report Next report 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. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata New snowfall at base 4cm Snowfall at base this season 148cm Posted on Saturday 6th December 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . It's Saturday 6th and the day of the official opening of the resort here, with the ceremony to be held on the Uwanodai area by the base centre at 11am. Prayers for safety will be made. And no doubt mochi will make some kind of appearance as well as some 'characters'. What's even more interesting than that is the fact that more of the resort is opening up this morning. 6 lifts plan to be moving as well as the usual ropeways and gondolas, and here they are: Onsen Number 1 pair lift Mikaeri pair lift Chuo pair lift Paradise pair lift Yokokura Number 1 pair lift Utopia Number 2 pair lift So basically we have 3 areas of the resort open - part of the base Uwanodai and Yokokura areas and the higher Paradise area. Snow clouds look set to be with us today before easing tomorrow. I think we can definitely say it is a very good start to the season. We're set for a good one, let's hope it continues. Official snow depths: Utopia: 130cm Chuo: 80cm Paradise: 80cm Uwanodai: 80cm Zao Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Saturday 6th December 2014 Total snowfall at base 148cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 7 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 80cm (on 3rd December) November 2014 snowfall 20cm observed on 2 days December 2014 snowfall 128cm observed on 5 days Previous report Next report 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. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata New snowfall at base 15cm Snowfall at base this season 163cm Posted on Sunday 7th December 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Another 15cm of new snowfall here in Zao this morning and a temperature of -5 degrees. Yesterday was that official ceremony held in the snow. Lots of happy faces though with this fine start to the season here. As far as I can tell this morning the areas of the resort open are the same as yesterday... they're taking it gradually and calmly (not like those of us aching to get out on the whole mountain!) Cloudy with light snow as I write this, poor visibility on the mountain. Forecast? Not a whole lot of snow actually from tomorrow and there looks like a good chance of things warming up slightly. Official snow depths: Utopia: 140cm Chuo: 90cm Paradise: 110cm Uwanodai: 80cm Operating lifts at time of writing: Onsen Number 1 pair lift Mikaeri pair lift Chuo pair lift Paradise pair lift Yokokura Number 1 pair lift Utopia Number 2 pair lift All Ropeways/gondolas Zao Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Sunday 7th December 2014 Total snowfall at base 163cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 8 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 80cm (on 3rd December) November 2014 snowfall 20cm observed on 2 days December 2014 snowfall 143cm observed on 6 days Previous report Next report 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. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata New snowfall at base 4cm Snowfall at base this season 144cm Posted on Friday 5th December 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Just a bit more fresh snow since yesterday here and it's a cloudy start to the day in the village, a bit of light snow lazily falling. All this snow and I think people are still in shock. Is the full mountain open? Er, no. Looks like we have the Chuo Number 1 Pair lift moving and just that Chuo area of the resort open this morning. That's the latest as of 8:45am this morning. Utopia is today reporting 130cm of snow. Nice. The Chuo official snow depth has gone down from 120cm to 70cm today. Not sure what's going on there - who ate the snow?! - but there you go, those are the numbers. I would imagine that surely tomorrow we will see more of the resort open, but no official word yet. Perhaps it's a secret? ;) Official snow depths: Utopia: 130cm Chuo: 70cm Paradise: -cm Uwanodai: 80cm Zao Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Friday 5th December 2014 Total snowfall at base 144cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 6 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 80cm (on 3rd December) November 2014 snowfall 20cm observed on 2 days December 2014 snowfall 124cm observed on 4 days Previous report Next report 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. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata New snowfall at base 10cm Snowfall at base this season 192cm Posted on Monday 15th December 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Not masses of snow this morning to report, 10cm here at base, but I think the wind has been blowing it about and there's really more fresh out there. Can't see much though due to the snow and the wind blowing it about. All a bit mad out there and it's not going to settle down for a while it would seem with stormy conditions due especially as we get into Wednesday and Thursday. Expect lift operations to be affected at times. Looks like the best time to visit might be the end of the week or weekend when the storm clears. Sunny conditions even maybe. And the snow conditions will surely be excellent. Operating lifts at time of writing: Onsen Number 1 pair lift Onsen Number 2 quad Mikaeri pair lift Chuo Number 1 pair lift Chuo Number 2 pair lift Paradise pair lift Yokokura Number 1 pair lift Utopia Number 2 pair lift Shobunuma Number 1 triple Shobunuma Number 2 pair Kuroboshi Number 1 Quattro quad lift Katakai triple lift All Ropeways/gondolas Official snow depths: Utopia: 160cm Chuo: 105cm Paradise: 110cm Uwanodai: 105cm Zao Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Monday 15th December 2014 Total snowfall at base 192cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 13 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 80cm (on 3rd December) November 2014 snowfall 20cm observed on 2 days December 2014 snowfall 172cm observed on 11 days Previous report Next report 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. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata New snowfall at base 20cm Snowfall at base this season 212cm Posted on Wednesday 17th December 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . 20cm of new snow to report from Zao this morning. Snow, fog, wind. It's a storm out there. Cold too. Time for an onsen? But if you want to be out in these conditions, there are some lifts still moving. As far as I can find out for the moment, the lifts below are moving but it's limited out there. Winds set to be with us today and tomorrow as well, with today probably being the worst. Might even clear up and see some sun tomorrow. Expect another bunch of snow to be reported tomorrow morning. Planned operating lifts today (subject to change): Sky Cable Gondola Zao Chuo Ropeway Onsen Number 1 pair lift Onsen Number 2 quad Mikaeri pair lift Chuo Number 1 pair lift Yokokura Number 1 pair lift Official snow depths: Utopia: 160cm Chuo: 130cm Paradise: 110cm Uwanodai: 120cm Zao Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Wednesday 17th December 2014 Total snowfall at base 212cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 14 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 80cm (on 3rd December) November 2014 snowfall 20cm observed on 2 days December 2014 snowfall 192cm observed on 12 days Previous report Next report 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. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata New snowfall at base 2cm Snowfall at base this season 172cm Posted on Saturday 13th December 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . A few cm of fresh snow on the ground in the Zao village area this morning, perhaps a bit more higher up. Was windy yesterday but at the moment not much wind at all and fairly decent visibility too. Not exactly what we were expecting this morning. Still, the stormy conditions are expected this weekend. And it's definitely cold even now. More lifts are moving this morning including the debut of one of the fast Kurobishi quads. I always recomend people start their day over at that area... usually less people drive up to that area (only takes a few minutes) and the quad lift is really fast. Osusume! Zao Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Saturday 13th December 2014 Total snowfall at base 172cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 11 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 80cm (on 3rd December) November 2014 snowfall 20cm observed on 2 days December 2014 snowfall 152cm observed on 9 days Previous report Next report 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. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata New snowfall at base 10cm Snowfall at base this season 182cm Posted on Sunday 14th December 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . More fresh snowfall to report, though not quite the amounts I am reading about on some of the other Now reports on SnowJapan - well done Nozawa and Myoko! It sounds like it is going to be a good December for many of the snow regions of Japan. OK so about 10cm more this morning and snow falling still now, though we expect it to get less later on today. But more due around Wednesday and strong winds forecast as well. Great conditions out there. Just very cold. And snowy. The cheaper early season lift ticket prices (3000 yen for adults, 1500 yen for childen) are available until 20th December. Zao Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Sunday 14th December 2014 Total snowfall at base 182cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 12 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 80cm (on 3rd December) November 2014 snowfall 20cm observed on 2 days December 2014 snowfall 162cm observed on 10 days Previous report Next report 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. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata New snowfall at base 2cm Snowfall at base this season 170cm Posted on Friday 12th December 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . It's snowing now but heavier snow is due tomorrow and Sunday. A storm is coming. Strong winds already here in Zao this morning and very foggy conditions with poor visibility even down here in the village. Looks like there's almost nothing to see on the slopes. A few more cm on the ground to report this morning, but this just looks like the start of things with a lot of snow forecast over Saturday and Sunday. Let's see what I have to report tomorrow! Zao Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Friday 12th December 2014 Total snowfall at base 170cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 10 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 80cm (on 3rd December) November 2014 snowfall 20cm observed on 2 days December 2014 snowfall 150cm observed on 8 days Previous report Next report 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. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata New snowfall at base 1cm Snowfall at base this season 253cm Posted on Sunday 21st December 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . 1cm of snow to report this morning from Zao, which is nice to report as it rained here last night. Quite strong winds are persisting this morning though here in the village it feels fairly mild. It may well be different up on the slopes where visibility also seems very limited in places. Snowfall expected through into tomorrow, with moderate to strong winds also a feature to expect. I have added the 'Light Up' dates for the 2014/2015 season below and will keep those on the report each day until that is finished. On those operating days, the Zao Ropeway operates in the evening and the . Subject to weather conditions. Your ski lift ticket isn't valid for this and while it's not cheap to go up there I think it's definitely worth taking a look once on a night when the weather conditions are clear. Official snow depths: Utopia: 160cm Chuo: 160cm Paradise: 150cm Uwanodai: 125cm Night skiing operations at Zao this season Uwanodai area: From today until 22nd March Yokokura area: From Friday 26th December until 4th January; Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Friday 9th January until 15th March Open times from 5pm until 9pm. Remember the cameras, once the sun comes out we should be in for some fantastic scenery too. Zao Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Sunday 21st December 2014 Total snowfall at base 253cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 16 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 80cm (on 3rd December) November 2014 snowfall 20cm observed on 2 days December 2014 snowfall 233cm observed on 14 days Previous report Next report 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. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata New snowfall at base 40cm Snowfall at base this season 252cm Posted on Thursday 18th December 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Stormy conditions this morning in Zao. Heavy snow, strong winds, poor visibility. 40cm outside my place, hearing over 50cm fresh on the mountain but wind is blowing it all round so difficult to put numbers on it. Whatever the number, plenty of it. Normal lift ticket prices from Saturday when I expect all of the mountain to be open - weather conditions permitting of course. It does look probable that once we get past today, weather conditions will calm down and we could even be treated to some sunny blue skies, perhaps with it remaining quite windy. But hopefully not enough to affect lifts on the hill. Conditions are going to be great though. Remember the cameras, once the sun comes out we should be in for some fantastic scenery too. Zao Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Thursday 18th December 2014 Total snowfall at base 252cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 15 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 80cm (on 3rd December) November 2014 snowfall 20cm observed on 2 days December 2014 snowfall 232cm observed on 13 days Previous report Next report 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. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com