Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata New snowfall at base 0cm Snowfall at base this season 213cm Weather overview Cloud, light snow Wind Moderate Temperature - Visibility Poor Posted on Sunday 6th January 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . After the clearer conditions we got yesterday this morning we are back to darker cloudier clouds hiding most of the mountain here in Zao. It's -3 degrees and just a slight dusting of snow overnight to report. Light snow falling in places at the moment, not the kind that will be bringing us a new deep layer of snow, and mainly just cloudy with fairly limited visibility out there. There's a moderate wind but all lifts on the resort are operating as normal. Next snowfall that will bring us new cm due around Wednesday. Until then cloudy skies, chance of the sun making appearances and/or light snow showers. Zao Now 2012-2013 season Data as of Sunday 6th January 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 213cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 21 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 30cm (9th, 26th December and 3rd January) November 2012 snowfall 3cm reported on 1 day December 2012 snowfall 150cm reported on 15 days January 2013 snowfall 60cm reported 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 30cm Snowfall at base this season 66cm Weather overview Snow Wind Moderate to strong Temperature - Visibility Poor Posted at 11:29am on Sunday 9th December 2012 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . After the opening ceremony taking place in the snow yesterday, we have more snow to report this morning and more of the mountain open as well. Over 30cm of snow in the village and likely more higher up has really changed things over the last 24 hours in Zao, in a good way of course! It suddenly feels much more like mid-winter. Today the following lifts are operating around the mountain: Zao Ropeway Chuo Ropeway Sky Cable Onsen No1 Mikaeri Chuo No1 Chuo No2 Katakai Utopia No1 Yokokura No1 Course areas that are part open are as follows: Chuo Utopia Paradise Yokokura Uwanodai All different areas of the mountain and not connected up as yet, so it's a case of deciding which area you want to slide down and stay there for a bit at the moment. This new snowfall has really made a difference, but it's still not deep out there so areas where it's still thin on the ground and care needed for things still sticking up out of the snow. Zao Now 2012-2013 season Data as of Sunday 9th December 2012 Total snowfall at base so far 66cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 7 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 30cm (9th December) November 2012 snowfall 3cm reported on 1 day December 2012 snowfall 63cm reported 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 20cm Snowfall at base this season 106cm Weather overview Varied Wind Varied Temperature - Visibility Fair Posted at 4:03pm on Tuesday 11th December 2012 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . And it's another 20cm or so this morning. It has been a good few days in this part of the world as we have been on the receiving end of a very nice amount of fresh, light snow. This afternoon it's generally just cloudy and even some breaks in the cloud and a quick glimpse of the sun for short times though there remains a good chance of snowfall on and off over the next few days - nothing major though probably. After that looks like the skies might clear up a bit later in the week and it will not be as cold. We have more snowfall but for now lift operations remain the same but we should certainly see almost all of the runs at Zao Onsen resort operating from this coming Saturday, 15th December. A good start to the season! Today the following lifts are operating around the mountain: Zao Ropeway Chuo Ropeway Sky Cable Chuo No1 Utopia No1 Paradise AB Onsen No1 Yokokura No1 Zao Now 2012-2013 season Data as of Tuesday 11th December 2012 Total snowfall at base so far 106cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 9 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 30cm (9th December) November 2012 snowfall 3cm reported on 1 day December 2012 snowfall 103cm reported 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 5cm Snowfall at base this season 111cm Weather overview Snow Wind Varied Temperature - Visibility Poor Posted at 3:10pm on Wednesday 12th December 2012 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Just a bit more snow since yesterday in Zao, but we're not complaining after the last few days. Paradise area now reporting close to a metre of snow. Still not deep but nice snow out there, I can report --- was out there for a few turns myself this morning. It's still snowing as well with poor visibility out on the mountain this afternoon. Really coming down nicely actually. The snow is still due to ease off soon though and going into the weekend it should be less cold and we might well get to see the sun... much less chance of snowfall. Today the following lifts are operating around the mountain as previous days: Zao Ropeway Chuo Ropeway Sky Cable Chuo No1 Utopia No1 Paradise AB Onsen No1 Yokokura No1 Zao Now 2012-2013 season Data as of Wednesday 12th December 2012 Total snowfall at base so far 111cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 10 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 30cm (9th December) November 2012 snowfall 3cm reported on 1 day December 2012 snowfall 108cm reported 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 5cm Snowfall at base this season 116cm Weather overview Cloud Wind Light Temperature - Visibility Fair Posted at 3:40pm on Thursday 13th December 2012 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . It has been a cloudy day here in Zao with light snow falling at times on the mountain, but also sometimes glimpses of the sun from behind the clouds. We are still seeing the same lifts open (below) and the resort is still planning to have most courses open from this coming Saturday. A few lifts will be opening later but by the 22nd we should have all lifts operating as planned on the mountain. A slightly milder few days is upcoming and early Saturday we might even see some spots of rain... hopefully snow if the temperatures can keep low. The following lifts are operating around the mountain as previous days: Zao Ropeway Chuo Ropeway Sky Cable Chuo No1 Utopia No1 Paradise AB Onsen No1 Yokokura No1 Zao Now 2012-2013 season Data as of Thursday 13th December 2012 Total snowfall at base so far 116cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 11 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 30cm (9th December) November 2012 snowfall 3cm reported on 1 day December 2012 snowfall 113cm reported 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 20cm Snowfall at base this season 86cm Weather overview Cloud and snow Wind Slight Temperature - Visibility Poor Posted at 11:29am on Monday 10th December 2012 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . I have another 20cm or so of snow to report this morning as this very pleasant snow storm continues to deliver the goods. It's a cold morning and snow is continuing to fall. Not much of a wind at all actually, but poor visibility on all but the lower slopes of the mountain. It looks like the snow clouds should begin easing off today and we might be in for some milder days later on in the week as well. Today the following lifts are operating around the mountain: Zao Ropeway Chuo Ropeway Sky Cable Chuo No1 Utopia No1 Paradise AB Onsen No1 Yokokura No1 The resort plans to have almost all of the mountain open from this coming Saturday, 15th December. Zao Now 2012-2013 season Data as of Monday 10th December 2012 Total snowfall at base so far 86cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 8 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 30cm (9th December) November 2012 snowfall 3cm reported on 1 day December 2012 snowfall 83cm reported 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 1cm Snowfall at base this season 36cm Weather overview Snow Wind Moderate to strong Temperature - Visibility Poor Posted at 11:05am on Saturday 8th December 2012 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Just a dusting of new snow overnight and it was cloudy morning in the village but has been snowing since and we should be enjoying a decent snowfall this weekend. All fingers crossed! As I speak the official 'opening ceremony' for Zao is taking place. A few more runs on the mountain have opened up for the weekend as well with parts of the Paradise and Utopia runs opening for the first time this season earlier on this morning. Snow is still thin on the ground as we wait for that snow to arrive. I hope to bring good news on that front tomorrow. Zao Now 2012-2013 season Data as of Saturday 8th December 2012 Total snowfall at base so far 36cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 6 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 10cm (2nd, 5th and 7th December) November 2012 snowfall 3cm reported on 1 day December 2012 snowfall 33cm reported 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 10cm Snowfall at base this season 23cm Weather overview Cloud, light snow Wind Moderate Temperature - Visibility Fair Posted at 1:12pm on Wednesday 5th December 2012 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . My apologies for not updating the page yesterday. But things should be ok from now on. So yes, Zao is now open. We have the Chuo No1 pair lift operating and that's about it. (The Ropeways are operating but that is for sightseeing and not for skiing or snowboarding). Chuo is reporting 30cm of snow on the slopes and so as you can see it is all very limited. Yesterday saw some stormy conditions on the mountain but we got about 10cm or so of fresh in the village so hopefully more than that higher up. Things are looking good for snow over the next week and come the weekend perhaps the first heavy snowfall of the season. It's going to get very cold and windy with the snow as well - look out for some particularly strong winds tomorrow and over the weekend as well. Zao Now 2012-2013 season Data as of Wednesday 5th December 2012 Total snowfall at base so far 23cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 3 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 10cm (2nd and 5th December) November 2012 snowfall 3cm reported on 1 day December 2012 snowfall 20cm reported on 2 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 35cm Weather overview Snow Wind Moderate to strong Temperature - Visibility Poor Posted at 10:30am on Friday 7th December 2012 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . There is 10cm or so of snow to report in the village this morning, temperature of around -1C and slight wind. It is cloudy this morning with some light snow falling. Visibility is poor with lots of cloud and fog covering the mountain. The snowy conditions will continue through the weekend and into next week, so hopefully we will have some decent new snow to report and more of the resort opening up soon. Some very strong winds are going to be blowing about over the weekend as well, so it might be blizzard conditions out there and may well affect any lifts that plan to be open. We need the snow though, so it would be good if we had a considerable snowfall to get the season moving. Zao Now 2012-2013 season Data as of Friday 7th December 2012 Total snowfall at base so far 35cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 5 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 10cm (2nd, 5th and 7th December) November 2012 snowfall 3cm reported on 1 day December 2012 snowfall 32cm reported 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 2cm Snowfall at base this season 25cm Weather overview Cloud, light snow Wind Moderate Temperature - Visibility Fair Posted at 7:42pm on Thursday 6th December 2012 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Some more snow since yesterday as slowly but surely we move towards the season starting properly... so far no change in resort operations but the coming week is still looking very promising in terms of potential snowfall. It actually looks like the next 5-6 days is just going to be snow and strong winds with the worst of it (or should I say the 'best' of it?!) on Saturday through into Monday. I feel that I'm going to need to wrap up well even inside. Can't wait to see how much eventually arrives... Zao Now 2012-2013 season Data as of Thursday 6th December 2012 Total snowfall at base so far 25cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 4 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 10cm (2nd and 5th December) November 2012 snowfall 3cm reported on 1 day December 2012 snowfall 22cm reported 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 163cm Weather overview Cloud, sun at times Wind Varied Temperature - Visibility Poor Posted on Tuesday 1st January 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Happy New Year! And a happy new year it is as well with 10+cm of fresh snow this morning in Zao. A cold feeling -4 earlier on and -2 at the moment, with a temperature of -11C up on the top of the mountain, it is cloudy at the moment with the sun coming through the clouds at times and shining down on the lower slopes of Zao now. It might be temporary though as snow is forecast for the afternoon and evening. The snow clouds will be over Zao for the next few days and we are expecting very strong winds tomorrow in particular. Going to get colder too. Remember the layers if you plan on being in Zao over the next few days. Zao Now 2012-2013 season Data as of Tuesday 1st January 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 153cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 16 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 30cm (9th and 26th December) November 2012 snowfall 3cm reported on 1 day December 2012 snowfall 150cm reported on 15 days January 2013 snowfall 10cm reported 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 2cm Snowfall at base this season 118cm Weather overview Cloud, blue sky Wind Light Temperature - Visibility Good Posted at 11:18am on Thursday 20th December 2012 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Yesterday sure was a cold one. It was another cold start to the day at -6C when I woke up and it is currently around -4C, so not really warming up then! Just a few cm of new snowfall to report, cloud still around but blue sky as well and the sun shining down from time to time. We can't expect more than some possible sprinklings of snow in the next few days, though from Sunday a winter storm looks to still be on it's way. Strong winds and hopefully heavy snowfall into early week. Nighta news! There are two night skiing areas of the resort in Zao - not (skiable) connected, though you can of course go from one to the other if you wish. Nighta will start on the Uwanodai area from this Saturday (22nd), and will be open every day until 24th March 2013. 5pm until 9pm. Nighta in the Yokokura area will be open over the New Year period and then Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 4th January until 17th March. Zao Now 2012-2013 season Data as of Thursday 20th December 2012 Total snowfall at base so far 118cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 12 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 30cm (9th December) November 2012 snowfall 3cm reported on 1 day December 2012 snowfall 115cm reported 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