Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata New snowfall at base 3cm Snowfall at base this season 457cm Posted on Friday 25th March 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Good morning from Zao and there's a few cm of snow to report this morning which is very good to see. There's currently still a lot of cloud around but blue sky as well and the sun making appearances from time to time. We're expecting things to start warming up gradually over the coming run of days, but it should keep quite cold over the weekend and sun is expected. I have added (below) all of the planned closing dates for the lifts at the resort... they are all of course subject to change due to snow conditions. Official snow depths: Utopia: 70cm Chuo: 100cm Paradise: 90cm Uwanodai: 40cm Planned closing dates of lifts at Zao Onsen (subject to change due to snow conditions) Open until Sunday 27th March: Onsen Number 3 Parallel AB lift Onsen Number 4 quad lift Ryuzan pair lift Nakamori Number 2 pair lift Diamond Number 1 pair lift Open until Thursday 31st March: Nakamori Number 1 triple lift Diamond Number 1 lift Omori quad lift Yokokura Number 2 pair lift Astraea Number 1 pair lift Astraea Number 2 pair lift Astraea Number 3 pair lift Open until Sunday 3rd April: Onsen Number 1 pair lift Onsen Number 2 quad lift Shobunuma Number 2 pair lift Open until Sunday 10th April: Mikaeri pair lift Yokokura Number 1 pair AB lift Open until Sunday 17th April: Kurohime Number 1 quad lift Open until Thursday 5th May: Chuo Number 1 pair lift AB Chuo Number 2 pair lift AB (daily until 3rd April and then Sat/Sun and holidays only) Katakai triple lift (daily until 3rd April and then Sat/Sun and holidays only) Paradise pair AB lift (daily until 3rd April and then Sat/Sun and holidays only) Utopia Number 2 pair lift The Zao Ropeway, Sky Cable gondola and Chuo Ropeway are all open throughout the year (apart from specific maintenance periods) Lifts not mentioned in the above list have already closed for the season. Zao Now 2015-2016 season Data as of Friday 25th March 2016 Total snowfall at base 457cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 63 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 46cm (on 19th January) November 2015 snowfall 22cm observed on 2 days December 2015 snowfall 96cm observed on 12 days January 2016 snowfall 211cm observed on 25 days February 2016 snowfall 83cm observed on 17 days March 2016 snowfall 45cm 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 3cm Snowfall at base this season 460cm Posted on Tuesday 12th April 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Morning from here in Zao. And guess what... yesterday morning there was 3cm of fresh snowfall on the ground. (Note that the 3cm recorded in this report is that snowfall). We got a quick blast of winter once again! This morning the sun is out and while it has been a cold early morning I suspect it will warm up and we'll soon be getting back to April-like conditions. It's going to get warmer still over the next few days with some rain (heavy rain?) due around Wednesday night into Thursday. The snow base has completely gone from around lower areas now - just limited top areas remain open. Official snow depths: Utopia: 40cm Chuo: 60cm Paradise: 50cm Uwanodai: -cm Planned closing dates of lifts at Zao Onsen (subject to change due to snow conditions) Open daily until Thursday 5th May: Chuo Number 1 pair lift AB Chuo Number 2 pair lift AB (* Sat/Sun and holidays only) Katakai triple lift (* Sat/Sun and holidays only) Paradise pair AB lift (* Sat/Sun and holidays only) Utopia Number 2 pair lift Also open only on Saturdays and holidays until Thursday 5th May: Chuo Number 2 pair lift AB Katakai triple lift Paradise pair AB lift The Zao Ropeway, Sky Cable gondola and Chuo Ropeway are all open throughout the year (apart from specific maintenance periods) Lifts not mentioned in the above list have closed for the season. Zao Now 2015-2016 season Data as of Tuesday 12th April 2016 Total snowfall at base 460cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 64 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 46cm (on 19th January) November 2015 snowfall 22cm observed on 2 days December 2015 snowfall 96cm observed on 12 days January 2016 snowfall 211cm observed on 25 days February 2016 snowfall 83cm observed on 17 days March 2016 snowfall 45cm observed on 7 days April 2016 snowfall 3cm observed on 1 day 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 454cm Posted on Tuesday 15th March 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . It's a cloudy morning in Zao, though there have been some signs of the sun getting through some of the clouds in places. It looks like higher up on the mountain there's still quite a lot of cloud and fog, so limited visibility. Just a bit of snow to report this morning again, but not enough to give us soft conditions under-board. A light wind outside my place but moderate winds are forecast for out there today, though I doubt it will affect any lifts. Tomorrow and Thursday we're expecting clearer skies and as with most areas of Japan it would seem, warm temperatures. Zao Now 2015-2016 season Data as of Tuesday 15th March 2016 Total snowfall at base 454cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 62 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 46cm (on 19th January) November 2015 snowfall 22cm observed on 2 days December 2015 snowfall 96cm observed on 12 days January 2016 snowfall 211cm observed on 25 days February 2016 snowfall 83cm observed on 17 days March 2016 snowfall 42cm 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 1cm Snowfall at base this season 453cm Posted on Monday 14th March 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Morning from Zao. Just a dusting of snow enough for me to award 1cm at base! This morning there's a lot of fog around with limited visibility on the mountain and just a light wind. If it doesn't clear up much today it should more tomorrow and generally clearer and sunnier skies are likely over the next few days. Going to start getting warmer too Nighta on the Yokokura area finished for the season last night, and the nighta over on the Uwanodai area will continue on until Monday 21st March - so just one more week. Zao Now 2015-2016 season Data as of Monday 14th March 2016 Total snowfall at base 453cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 61 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 46cm (on 19th January) November 2015 snowfall 22cm observed on 2 days December 2015 snowfall 96cm observed on 12 days January 2016 snowfall 211cm observed on 25 days February 2016 snowfall 83cm observed on 17 days March 2016 snowfall 41cm 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 0cm Snowfall at base this season 460cm Posted on Thursday 28th April 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . This is my last Zao Now report of the 2015/2016 season. It has been decided that the last day of the snow season here in Zao will be Saturday 30th April... if the narrow open Chuo area can actually make it until then. It's borderline! I can't say that what is left looks particularly appealing and rain falling is not helping. But if you really must get in that last slide of the season... It has been a very odd season. And not just here in Zao and Yamagata but it seems in most snow regions of the main island of Honshu. Almost every region of Japan has experienced less snow - and in some cases much less snow - than usual. We expect so much snow and consistent snowfall here that worrying about snow is something that people just simply aren't used to. And of course everyone is hoping that they will not need to be thinking about again next season. If you want to get a picture of the season as a whole please do read through all of the Zao Now archives below. I highly recommend that you also read through the archives from previous seasons as well - mainly because this last season has definitely not been 'normal' or 'average' (however you define those terms). So, here is to a good summer season and then a much more snowy 2016-2017 winter season. It is, after all, what we expect! I'm confident that's what we will get. See in back here in late autumn when the Zao Now reports will start up again. Zao Now 2015-2016 season Data as of Thursday 28th April 2016 Total snowfall at base 460cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 64 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 46cm (on 19th January) November 2015 snowfall 22cm observed on 2 days December 2015 snowfall 96cm observed on 12 days January 2016 snowfall 211cm observed on 25 days February 2016 snowfall 83cm observed on 17 days March 2016 snowfall 45cm observed on 7 days April 2016 snowfall 3cm observed on 1 day Previous 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 451cm Posted on Tuesday 3rd February 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Morning from Zao, and it was just a cloudy one to start us off and there has been light snow falling at times but not the kind that will add up to new cm. Still cloudy now, with some breaks here and there and glimpses of the sky, but usually quickly covered again. Expecting clearer skies tomorrow and maybe even some sun before heading back into snow falling from the skies later on Thursday and into Friday. Official snow depths: Utopia: 220cm Chuo: 200cm Paradise: 200cm Uwanodai: 150cm Zao Onsen is fully open (* note that the Karamatsu pair lift is closed on weekdays). Night skiing operations at Zao this season Uwanodai area: Daily until 22nd March Yokokura area: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from until 15th March Open times from 5pm until 9pm. Zao Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Tuesday 3rd February 2015 Total snowfall at base 451cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 41 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 80cm (on 3rd December) November 2014 snowfall 20cm observed on 2 days December 2014 snowfall 281cm observed on 21 days January 2015 snowfall 118cm observed on 15 days February 2015 snowfall 32cm 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 3cm Snowfall at base this season 454cm Posted on Monday 9th February 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Coldest morning of the season. And by the looks of the other reports it seems it's a very cold start to the day Japan-wide! Just a few cm of fresh snow to report this morning but snow is due today.... and lots of it. Get ready for some impressive numbers tomorrow morning. Visibility low this morning with snow, fog and cloud. The village was in the cloud and fog early on, but that has improved since then. Still a lot of cloud around. And like I said, really cold. A good refresh is always welcome. Zao Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Monday 9th February 2015 Total snowfall at base 454cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 42 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 80cm (on 3rd December) November 2014 snowfall 20cm observed on 2 days December 2014 snowfall 281cm observed on 21 days January 2015 snowfall 118cm observed on 15 days February 2015 snowfall 35cm 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 8cm Snowfall at base this season 480cm Posted on Wednesday 11th February 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . A few cm overnight and some from yesterday during the day time give us more fresh on this cold morning... but somewhat milder temps expected today. All relative of course, still down there in the negative numbers. Decent visibility this morning but mostly cloudy to start the day off. Doesn't look particularly busy from a quick glance outside, but today is actually a holiday in Japan and so you would expect more people to be around today. We might get some light snow from time to time today but generally cloudy conditions expected and more tomorrow, perhaps a bit of sun. Temps are going to dip again come Friday along with moderate snowfall and potentially strong winds as well. That might keep going into Saturday as well, so need to keep an eye on that. Official snow depths: Utopia: 225cm Chuo: 200cm Paradise: 200cm Uwanodai: 155cm Zao Onsen is fully open (* note that the Karamatsu pair lift is closed on weekdays). Zao Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Wednesday 11th February 2015 Total snowfall at base 480cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 44 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 80cm (on 3rd December) November 2014 snowfall 20cm observed on 2 days December 2014 snowfall 281cm observed on 21 days January 2015 snowfall 118cm observed on 15 days February 2015 snowfall 61cm 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 18cm Snowfall at base this season 472cm Posted on Tuesday 10th February 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Cold, windy and snowy... that's what we have this morning. White out conditions on upper areas of the mountain and not far off that lower down too with lots of low cloud around. Might be quite strong winds out but as I write this the lifts/ropeways seem to all be open as planned. Taking a look at the forecast, we can expect snow through today and really on-and-off right into the weekend as well. A complete refresh would seem to be on the cards. --- Official snow depths (Tuesday 10th February 15): Utopia: 220cm Chuo: 200cm Paradise: 200cm Uwanodai: 155cm Zao Onsen is fully open (* note that the Karamatsu pair lift is closed on weekdays). Zao Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Tuesday 10th February 2015 Total snowfall at base 472cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 43 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 80cm (on 3rd December) November 2014 snowfall 20cm observed on 2 days December 2014 snowfall 281cm observed on 21 days January 2015 snowfall 118cm observed on 15 days February 2015 snowfall 53cm 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 20cm Snowfall at base this season 530cm Posted on Sunday 15th February 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Very cold night last night with the wind and today wind is a factor - some lifts stopped today due to winds including the Sky Cable Gondola, though the other Ropeways seems to be moving. More fresh snow on the ground though so wind aside it's great conditions. Cloud forecast for this afternoon and perhaps some sun tomorrow and Tuesday. Next snowfall due from around Wednesday. Winter continues! Official snow depths: Utopia: 245cm Chuo: 210cm Paradise: 215cm Uwanodai: 155cm Zao Onsen is fully open (* note that the Karamatsu pair lift is closed on weekdays). Zao Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Sunday 15th February 2015 Total snowfall at base 530cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 47 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 80cm (on 3rd December) November 2014 snowfall 20cm observed on 2 days December 2014 snowfall 281cm observed on 21 days January 2015 snowfall 118cm observed on 15 days February 2015 snowfall 111cm 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 8cm Snowfall at base this season 488cm Posted on Friday 13th February 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . It's back to cold this morning and some decent snowfall happening outside. Over 5cm so far and if it continues like it is now it should be piling up quite quickly. The cold and snow should take a firm grip on things today and there's a chance of stronger winds. Things seem ok for the moment in that respect. Poor visibility this morning though. Similar conditions are expected tomorrow as well. Official snow depths: Utopia: 230cm Chuo: 205cm Paradise: 210cm Uwanodai: 155cm Zao Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Friday 13th February 2015 Total snowfall at base 488cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 45 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 80cm (on 3rd December) November 2014 snowfall 20cm observed on 2 days December 2014 snowfall 281cm observed on 21 days January 2015 snowfall 118cm observed on 15 days February 2015 snowfall 69cm 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 22cm Snowfall at base this season 510cm Posted on Saturday 14th February 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Good new amount of fresh snow on the ground this morning in Zao and it's another whiteout morning on the mountain. Lots of cloud around and snow still falling. Cold too. And windy too... need to keep an eye on the lift status today if it gets windier. So mid-winter peak season kind of conditions. Snow should be less come tomorrow and then calmer into early week. Official snow depths: Utopia: 235cm Chuo: 205cm Paradise: 210cm Uwanodai: 155cm Zao Onsen is fully open (* note that the Karamatsu pair lift is closed on weekdays). Night skiing operations at Zao this season Uwanodai area: Daily until 22nd March Yokokura area: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from until 15th March Open times from 5pm until 9pm. Zao Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Saturday 14th February 2015 Total snowfall at base 510cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 46 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 80cm (on 3rd December) November 2014 snowfall 20cm observed on 2 days December 2014 snowfall 281cm observed on 21 days January 2015 snowfall 118cm observed on 15 days February 2015 snowfall 91cm 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