Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata New snowfall at base 15cm Snowfall at base this season 547cm Posted on Thursday 19th February 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Fresh snow in Zao this morning with around 15cm on the ground here in the village. Cloud, fog on upper areas of the resort, relatively mild and not much of a wind. But fresh snow. Perhaps a bit more but easing off. Should be a good morning. Sunny skies more likely tomorrow and Saturday. Was just reading other reports and it seems that everywhere Sunday is set to be warm and perhaps wet... Zao may not escape that either. Happy Chinese New Year to everyone enjoying holidays here! Official snow depths: Utopia: 245cm Chuo: 210cm Paradise: 220cm Uwanodai: 160cm Zao Onsen is fully open (* note that the Karamatsu pair lift is closed on weekdays). Zao Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Thursday 19th February 2015 Total snowfall at base 547cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 49 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 128cm 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 1cm Snowfall at base this season 548cm Posted on Friday 20th February 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Just a bit more snow overnight and slightly colder early on this morning. The sun is out at the moment - it's a mix of cloud and blue skies at the moment, with those clouds casting big moving shadows. All very dramatic. As with most area of Japan it seems, the weekend is going to be warmer and even here there's a chance of rainfall on Sunday. Hopefully nice and sunny tomorrow. It is going to be mid week before it gets back to winter like conditions by the looks of the current forecast. Official snow depths: Utopia: 245cm Chuo: 210cm Paradise: 220cm Uwanodai: 160cm Zao Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Friday 20th February 2015 Total snowfall at base 548cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 50 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 129cm 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 532cm Posted on Monday 16th February 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Seems a while since we had some blue skies and sunshine to enjoy, buy that's what we got this morning. Still quite a bit of cloud around, but nice weather this morning. After that busy and windy day yesterday with some lifts having to stop unfortunately, it's a much calmer start to the day today. Just a few cm of snow to report. Snowfall lined up once again on the forecast mid week. 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 Monday 16th February 2015 Total snowfall at base 532cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 48 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 113cm 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 35cm Snowfall at base this season 600cm Posted on Saturday 28th February 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Lots of snow to report this morning from Zao. Strong winds and snowfall overnight giving us over 30cm down here at base and I would guess more up top. A very nice new thick layer to play in this morning and hopefully covering those icy conditions we had very handily. There's still a moderate wind this morning but the resort appears to be open as normal. More snow likely later tomorrow though it's expected to be a bit warmer with even a chance of rain. It would be excellent if we could avoid that and go straight to snow. Spoiling this new fresh would be a crime! Tonight is the last chance to get up to the top of the mountain for the evening "light up". How quickly that comes around! There's still a lot left in the season of course, with some lifts moving until Golden Week in early May, but it always feels a bit sad when this day comes. Official snow depths: Utopia: 230cm Chuo: 210cm Paradise: 220cm Uwanodai: 145cm Zao Onsen is open as planned (* note that the Karamatsu pair lift is closed on weekdays). Zao Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Saturday 28th February 2015 Total snowfall at base 600cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 53 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 181cm observed on 15 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 563cm Posted on Saturday 21st February 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Some snow on the ground this morning, about 15cm or so, and cloudy earlier on but it's lovely and clear now with deep blue skies above the mountain. Some excellent photos will be taken today, that's for sure. More cloud due tomorrow along with milder temps..... and maybe some rainfall, even up top. Fingers crossed we can somehow avoid that... Official snow depths: Utopia: 245cm Chuo: 210cm Paradise: 220cm Uwanodai: 160cm Zao Onsen is fully open (* note that the Karamatsu pair lift is closed on weekdays). Zao Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Saturday 21st February 2015 Total snowfall at base 563cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 51 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 144cm 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

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata New snowfall at base 2cm Snowfall at base this season 565cm Posted on Friday 27th February 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Feels like winter again this morning. Just a few cm of snow so far but it is snowing now and snowing quite heavily as well. Strong winds too. A few lifts affected it seems including the top section of the Zao Ropeway and Kurohime Number 1. It's not forecast to last too long though, easing off tomorrow probably to be followed by warmer conditions again around Sunday... rain? Yuck, please no. Anyway if we can get a decent amount to fall today, tomorrow might be pretty decent. Zao Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Friday 27th February 2015 Total snowfall at base 565cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 52 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 146cm 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 2cm Snowfall at base this season 602cm Posted on Sunday 1st March 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Strong winds yesterday during the day but some good snow to be found. Just a thin layer to add to that this morning and cloudy skies to start the day. Temperature just under 0 degrees here in the village. Still due snowfall today though and hopefully into tomorrow. None is better than rain though so hopefully we'll get to avoid that. Let's see what I can report tomorrow! Zao Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Sunday 1st March 2015 Total snowfall at base 602cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 54 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 181cm observed on 15 days March 2015 snowfall 2cm 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 20cm Snowfall at base this season 622cm Posted on Monday 2nd March 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Morning from Zao and quite a lot of snow to report as well this morning. Strong winds have been blowing it around but putting a number on it I will go for... 20cm. Definitely over 15cm and maybe as much as 30+cm in places where the wind has blown it. It's not the lightest and driest of snow, more wet and heavy, but we'll take it. Can't say I was expecting that much. Strong winds are still with us and actually quite a few lifts are affected (I count 10) including both parts of the Zao Ropeway. So it's limited operations this morning. And limited visibility if you decide to go out too. Not the friendliest of conditions, but that new snow is an appeal. Tomorrow should be calmer and clearer. Official snow depths: Utopia: 230cm Chuo: 210cm Paradise: 215cm Uwanodai: 155cm Zao Onsen is open as planned (* note that the Karamatsu pair lift is closed on weekdays). Zao Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Monday 2nd March 2015 Total snowfall at base 622cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 55 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 181cm observed on 15 days March 2015 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

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata New snowfall at base 4cm Snowfall at base this season 626cm Posted on Thursday 5th March 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Morning from Zao. Another day of poor visibility in store it looks like especially on the higher areas of the mountain. Some new snow this morning and I would expect 10cm or so up there. Cloudy, colder, and no wind to talk of. Snow might fall today but we don't expect much. Official snow depths: Utopia: 235cm Chuo: 210cm Paradise: 215cm Uwanodai: 155cm Zao Onsen is open as planned (* 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 Thursday 5th March 2015 Total snowfall at base 626cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 56 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 181cm observed on 15 days March 2015 snowfall 26cm 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 0cm Snowfall at base this season 703cm Posted on Wednesday 1st April 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Unfortunately April is starting with some rain in Zao and pretty cloudy/foggy conditions as well - limited visibility out there. I won't mention the chance of some snow before tomorrow higher up... Forecast sun tomorrow but back to rain around the weekend as conditions go back to warming. Now that we are into April, I will continue to post updates here to this Zao Now page - maybe a few times a week to keep you up with the latest. Official snow depths: Utopia: 215cm Chuo: 195cm Paradise: 200cm Uwanodai: 135cm Planned lift operating dates and closing dates Subject to change. This is what the plans are for the lifts that remain operating at Zao Onsen: Until Sunday 5th April Onsen Number 1 Pair Onsen Number 2 Quad Sunrise Pair AB Nakamori Number 1 Triple Mikaeri Pair Until Sunday 12th April Yokokura Number 1 Pair AB Until Sunday 19th April Kurohime Number 1 Quad Until Wednesday 6th May Chuo Number 1 Pair AB Chuo Number 2 Pair AB Katakai Triple (every day until 5th April, then holidays and Golden Week) Paradise Pair AB (every day until 5th April, then holidays and Golden Week) Utopia Number 2 Pair Operating through the year (for general tourism outside of snow season) Sky Cable Chuo Ropeway Zao Ropeway Last day of the snow season currently planned for Wednesday 6th May. Zao Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Wednesday 1st April 2015 Total snowfall at base 703cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 63 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 181cm observed on 15 days March 2015 snowfall 103cm 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 3cm Snowfall at base this season 629cm Posted on Tuesday 10th March 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Got to admit, I'm a bit disappointed this morning. After some rain yesterday, it's still not that cold this morning and there's just a few cm of snow on the ground, of the wetter variety.... just cloudy at the moment but good snowy conditions are still forecast for the next few days. Quite strong winds as the forecast told us to expect but the resort appears to be open as planned at the start of the day. If the wind gets stronger, we can expect the chance of some stoppages. OK for now though. Official snow depths: Utopia: 225cm Chuo: 210cm Paradise: 215cm Uwanodai: 150cm Zao Onsen is open as planned (* note that the Karamatsu pair lift is closed on weekdays). Zao Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Tuesday 10th March 2015 Total snowfall at base 629cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 57 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 181cm observed on 15 days March 2015 snowfall 29cm 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 0cm Snowfall at base this season 703cm Posted on Friday 17th April 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . We've had rain and sometimes clearer weather conditions since my last report. Yesterday it was rain top to bottom on the mountain unfortunately. More significant patches of ground are starting to appear on some lower areas of the mountain now. 9 degrees at 9am this morning here in the village and just cloudy. A chance of rain again today but holding off for the moment. More chance of seeing the sun tomorrow and it should be a bit warmer too. (Some forecasts also have rain never far away over the coming days - it's all seemingly quite difficult to read at the moment with changeable conditions. You might have seen on the news in the last week stuff about an increase in signs of volcanic activity around Zao-san's (beautiful, may I say) volcano 'okama' crater. While it's a bit alarming to hear about such things, there has been no eruption or any major event - it's all stuff that we can't feel or see. And of course we hope things stay that way! Zao Onsen is kind of round the corner and detached from that immediate area and so is not affected by the current warnings that exclude people from going within 1.2km of the crater. The ski resort is keen to let people know that it is open as planned and not affected by this. Official snow depths: Utopia: 120cm Chuo: 120cm Paradise: 130cm Uwanodai: 50cm Planned lift operating dates and closing dates Subject to change. This is what the plans are for the lifts that remain operating at Zao Onsen: Until Sunday 19th April Kurohime Number 1 Quad Until Wednesday 6th May Chuo Number 1 Pair AB Chuo Number 2 Pair AB Katakai Triple (* from now only on holidays and Golden Week) Paradise Pair AB (* from now only on holidays and Golden Week) Utopia Number 2 Pair (dependant on snow conditions) Operating through the year (for general tourism outside of snow season) Sky Cable Chuo Ropeway Zao Ropeway Zao Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Friday 17th April 2015 Total snowfall at base 703cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 63 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 181cm observed on 15 days March 2015 snowfall 103cm 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