Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata New snowfall at base 3cm Snowfall at base this season 257cm Posted on Tuesday 14th January 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Similar look to things this morning. Cold, cloudy, 3cm of fresh snow. Sun tomorrow? A good chance and it will have been a while since we had a clear blue sky day, so would be nice. Yokokura Wall run remains closed due to avalanche risk. With the long weekend now over, we are back to a normal January weekday today meaning less people. Official snow depths: Utopia: 230cm Chuo: 175cm Paradise: 210cm Uwanodai: 135cm Zao Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Tuesday 14th January 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 257cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 29 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 40cm (on 2nd January) November 2013 snowfall 12cm observed on 1 day December 2013 snowfall 179cm observed on 18 days January 2014 snowfall 66cm 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 10cm Snowfall at base this season 254cm Posted on Monday 13th January 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Thick fog means I can't see much outside the window this morning. I can see the 10cm or so on the top of the car though outside. It's not snowing now but clouds remain over the mountain. Stronger winds were forecast for today but for now there's only a light wind and lifts are operating as normal. Perhaps that will change later on in the day. Official snow depths: Utopia: 220cm Chuo: 170cm Paradise: 210cm Uwanodai: 135cm Zao Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Monday 13th January 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 254cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 28 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 40cm (on 2nd January) November 2013 snowfall 12cm observed on 1 day December 2013 snowfall 179cm observed on 18 days January 2014 snowfall 63cm 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 2cm Snowfall at base this season 244cm Posted on Saturday 11th January 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Morning from Zao. Another cold morning and another 2-3cm or so of fresh snow to report. Cloudy this morning and visibility is decent but variable on the mountain. I'm hearing that the Yokokura Wall run is closed today due to the risk of avalanche, which is a shame for the people here this weekend but understandable. The base is bustling this morning as lots of people arrive for the long weekend. Busy weekend precautions recommended! (See my reports over the new year). Have a good weekend. Official snow depths: Utopia: 205cm Chuo: 160cm Paradise: 195cm Uwanodai: 130cm Zao Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Saturday 11th January 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 244cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 27 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 40cm (on 2nd January) November 2013 snowfall 12cm observed on 1 day December 2013 snowfall 179cm observed on 18 days January 2014 snowfall 53cm 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 242cm Posted on Friday 10th January 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . I am guessing that this morning is the coldest of the season so far. Extremely cold outside, and when I got up earlier the thermometer was telling me it was -12 degrees. Visibility is ok this morning and it's just cloudy at the moment with some light snow falling lazily earlier on. Still, forecast is for continued snowfall through into early next week. Official snow depth on Utopia areas is now up to 2m. I reckon there's a fair bit more than that, but their numbers are probably for the runs now the sides and uncompacted snow areas. It's a 3 day weekend coming up as Monday is a holiday here in Japan. Traditionally it's one of the busiest weekends of the snow season, so keep that in mind! Official snow depths: Utopia: 200cm Chuo: 160cm Paradise: 195cm Uwanodai: 130cm Zao Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Friday 10th January 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 242cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 26 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 40cm (on 2nd January) November 2013 snowfall 12cm observed on 1 day December 2013 snowfall 179cm observed on 18 days January 2014 snowfall 51cm 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 2cm Snowfall at base this season 241cm Posted on Thursday 9th January 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Good morning from Zao. Not so cold this morning just under 0 degrees at the minute. I have a few cm of fresh snowfall to report from base, so hopefully a bit more than that higher up. Light snow is falling at the moment and visibility has improved a bit since earlier this morning and it's not too bad at the moment. Snowfall forecast through until the end of the weekend in the region so should be getting regular topups. The Juhyo Ice Monsters are doing really well this year with the good December that we got. I would say better than they have been for a few years. Let's hope it continues over the next few weeks. Official snow depths: Utopia: 195cm Chuo: 160cm Paradise: 190cm Uwanodai: 130cm Zao Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Thursday 9th January 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 241cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 25 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 40cm (on 2nd January) November 2013 snowfall 12cm observed on 1 day December 2013 snowfall 179cm observed on 18 days January 2014 snowfall 50cm 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 2cm Snowfall at base this season 239cm Posted on Monday 6th January 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Another cold morning in Zao and another 2cm or so of snow down here at base. We got more blue sky than we thought we might yesterday at times and it turned out to be a fine day to end the new year hols. This morning it's cloud cover again and light snow continuing to fall. Still looks like we should be back to sun tomorrow and then decent snowfall on the way for the second half of the week. Official snow depths: Utopia: 195cm Chuo: 160cm Paradise: 190cm Uwanodai: 125cm Zao Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Monday 6th January 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 239cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 24 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 40cm (on 2nd January) November 2013 snowfall 12cm observed on 1 day December 2013 snowfall 179cm observed on 18 days January 2014 snowfall 48cm 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 2cm Snowfall at base this season 237cm Posted on Sunday 5th January 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . This morning starts as we had yesterday. Some cloud, some blue sky, some sun. Nice. A few cm of snowfall overnight and another cold start to the day in Zao. -5 at base, -11 at top station. Still quite busy this morning.... last runs of the holidays for lots of people I would guess. Similar conditions forecast for tomorrow and maybe a clearer day on Tuesday? Official snow depths: Utopia: 195cm Chuo: 160cm Paradise: 185cm Uwanodai: 125cm Zao Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Sunday 5th January 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 237cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 23 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 40cm (on 2nd January) November 2013 snowfall 12cm observed on 1 day December 2013 snowfall 179cm observed on 18 days January 2014 snowfall 46cm 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 2cm Snowfall at base this season 235cm Posted on Saturday 4th January 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Here was are in the last weekend of the new year holiday. Great day yesterday with blue skies and some cloud for most of the day, nice and bright. Some great photo opportunities - I often feel that some clouds add to the views here rather than just clear blue. OK so a few cm of new snowfall this morning in Zao, but it's quite mild and just over zero. Should be getting colder tomorrow though we're not expecting snowfall. We might be on for a run of clearer days now before snow comes back mid to late week. It has been a busy holiday week here. From today people will be starting to make their way back to the real world and especially tomorrow I would expect the mountain to be less busy. Official snow depths: Utopia: 195cm Chuo: 160cm Paradise: 185cm Uwanodai: 125cm Zao Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Saturday 4th January 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 235cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 22 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 40cm (on 2nd January) November 2013 snowfall 12cm observed on 1 day December 2013 snowfall 179cm observed on 18 days January 2014 snowfall 44cm 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 40cm Snowfall at base this season 233cm Posted on Thursday 2nd January 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . 40cm. Oh yes. 40cm here in the car park outside and I am more than happy to get out there and shovel it (though hopefully if I wait long enough someone else might come along and do it for me!) But anyway, yes, it has been very snowy since my last report. Can't say I was expecting to say we have so much new snow this morning, but I'll take it! It's a cold morning probably feeling more so because of the strong wind. I'm just going by the official updates here, but it would seem that the only lifts to be affected by the wind at the moment are the Number 1 quad lift at Kurohime and the upper part of the Zao Ropeway going up to the summit. Things should calm down for tomorrow when there will probably be clearer skies. Official snow depths: Utopia: 190cm Chuo: 160cm Paradise: 180cm Uwanodai: 100cm Zao Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Thursday 2nd January 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 233cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 21 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 40cm (on 2nd January) November 2013 snowfall 12cm observed on 1 day December 2013 snowfall 179cm observed on 18 days January 2014 snowfall 42cm observed 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 2cm Snowfall at base this season 191cm Posted on Tuesday 31st December 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . A few cm of new snowfall again in Zao, no wind, a mild 0 degrees and cloudy/foggy conditions with snow falling still. We are still looking at possibly heavy snow and strong winds tomorrow according to local forecasts. So here we go full on New Years and a busy Zao Onsen. The lifts are busy and in particular the lower section of the Zao Ropeway can get extremely busy - they even need to hand out special tickets to schedule when you can get on the thing. I highly recommend taking the lifts rather than the Ropeway on days like this. You might be sitting on a lift but it beats waiting for a long time to get on a Ropeway. The lift just by the base of the Ropeway is the starting point, or even better if you are in a car drive over to the Kurohime area and get one of those speedy quads up the mountain. Official snow depths: Utopia: 155cm Chuo: 145cm Paradise: 155cm Uwanodai: 90cm Zao Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Tuesday 31st December 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 191cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 19 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 30cm (on 12th December) November 2013 snowfall 12cm observed on 1 day December 2013 snowfall 179cm observed on 18 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 120cm Posted on Sunday 15th December 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Snow! Yes the snow is continuing to fall here and there's another 20cm of it outside my place this morning, and perhaps a few more since then. Very cold again and mid winter like, though perhaps the snow is less peak season and more December like in that it's not top quality dry powder like we get a bit later on. Still, great snow conditions, lots of it and nothing to complain about. The last few days has been very good to Zao. More of the resort open again today with one of the Kurohime quads moving as well as the Yokokura and Astraea lifts Clearer conditions perhaps tomorrow and Tuesday. More snow mid to late week. Official snow depths: Utopia: 120cm Chuo: 90cm Paradise: 95cm Uwanodai: 45cm Operating lifts: Ropeways and Gondolas Onsen Number 1 pair Onsen Number 2 quad Onsen Number 3 parallel Miaeri pair Chuo Number 1 pair Chuo Number 2 pair Katakai triple Diamond Number 2 Zao Paradise Pair Shobunuma Number 1 triple / 2 pair Yokokura Number 1 pair Astraea Number 1 pair Astraea Number 2 pair Utopia Number 1 pair Kurohime Number 1 quad Zao Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Sunday 15th December 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 120cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 8 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 30cm (on 12th December) November 2013 snowfall 12cm observed on 1 day December 2013 snowfall 108cm 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 20cm Snowfall at base this season 34cm Posted on Sunday 8th December 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Now this is better. About 20cm of fresh snow at base in the village here this morning in Zao. Nice and cold as well, with a temperature of about -3 degrees as of 9am. Feels like winter. Still as the snow builds up we are still very limited in lift openings. The resort traditional opening ceremony went ahead yesterday morning as planned. Local tv cameras were there as well as a few mascots looking suitably cute. A sort of cloudy morning but looks like it will end up being a fairly clear day. Official snow depths (8th December 13) Utopia: 45cm Chuo: 50cm Paradise: 40cm Uwanodai: 20cm Operating lifts (8th December 13) All Ropeways (Skycable, Zao Chuo Ropeway, Zao Ropeway) operating. Chuo Number 1 Pair Zao Paradise Pair lift Utopia Number 1 Pair lift Zao Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Sunday 8th December 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 34cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 3 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 20cm (on 8th December) November 2013 snowfall 12cm observed on 1 day December 2013 snowfall 22cm observed 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