Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata New snowfall at base 1cm Snowfall at base this season 550cm Posted on Sunday 16th March 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . It is snowing in Zao this morning. Mild, but snowing. Poor visibility out on the mountain and some quite strong winds blowing at times, but ski lifts are operating as planned as far as I can tell. Tomorrow should be calmer. Around Tuesday we are expecting warmer conditions but later in the week cold again and around Thursday there might even be some moderate snowfall on the mountain. Winter not quite giving up just yet?! Official snow depths: Utopia: 320cm Chuo: 260cm Paradise: 290cm Uwanodai: 180cm Zao Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Sunday 16th March 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 550cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 54 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 50cm (on 16th February) November 2013 snowfall 12cm observed on 1 day December 2013 snowfall 179cm observed on 18 days January 2014 snowfall 111cm observed on 18 days February 2014 snowfall 166cm observed on 10 days March 2014 snowfall 82cm 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 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 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

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 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 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