Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata New snowfall at base 1cm Snowfall at base this season 391cm Posted on Thursday 18th February 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . As expected, it's going to be a beautiful day here in Zao today. Clear blue skies are the headline for the day, with just a dusting of snow since my last report. No wind and not too cold - but hopefully won't be getting too warm either even with the sun. There's likely going to be more sunshine tomorrow and a return to snowfall on Saturday, though it might get slightly too warm with a chance of some rain. Let's just hope we can avoid that. For the moment though, beautiful weather. Zao Now 2015-2016 season Data as of Thursday 18th February 2016 Total snowfall at base 391cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 52 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 46cm (on 19th January) November 2015 snowfall 22cm observed on 2 days December 2015 snowfall 96cm observed on 12 days January 2016 snowfall 211cm observed on 25 days February 2016 snowfall 62cm 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 6cm Snowfall at base this season 397cm Posted on Monday 22nd February 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . It's colder this morning and there's 6cm of fresh snowfall on the ground here at base. Not snowing at the moment, rather lots of cloud but bright and a bit of sunshine poking through at times. We should be getting snowed on again tomorrow night and some of the forecasts talk of quite a lot of snow as well. That would be nice if it happened. From Wednesday onwards regular snowfall is forecast too as well as cold temperatures so there's a chance that we'll end February in good form. The 'Juhyo Lightup' evening ropeway service is currently open. All being well it should remain open every day until next Sunday 28th February, from 5pm until 9pm - the last ropeway goes up at 7:50pm. Please note that you need to buy a separate ticket to use this service - it is not included in any of the normal ski lift tickets. All planned lifts are operating this morning. The Karamatsu pair lift does not operate on weekdays. Official snow depths: Utopia: 90cm Chuo: 150cm Paradise: 140cm Uwanodai: 80cm Zao Now 2015-2016 season Data as of Monday 22nd February 2016 Total snowfall at base 397cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 53 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 46cm (on 19th January) November 2015 snowfall 22cm observed on 2 days December 2015 snowfall 96cm observed on 12 days January 2016 snowfall 211cm observed on 25 days February 2016 snowfall 68cm 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 6cm Snowfall at base this season 403cm Posted on Wednesday 24th February 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Good morning from a cold and snowy Zao Onsen. With around 6cm of snow on the ground here at base I would expect a bit more on the mountain so early tracks in particular should be good this morning... and hopefully fresh snow will be filling in tracks as well. Regular snowfall is on the forecast for the coming week as well as continued cold temperatures so it seems we should have a good last part of February. And here's to a snowy and cold March as well. Zao Now 2015-2016 season Data as of Wednesday 24th February 2016 Total snowfall at base 403cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 54 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 46cm (on 19th January) November 2015 snowfall 22cm observed on 2 days December 2015 snowfall 96cm observed on 12 days January 2016 snowfall 211cm observed on 25 days February 2016 snowfall 74cm 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 3cm Snowfall at base this season 457cm Posted on Friday 25th March 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Good morning from Zao and there's a few cm of snow to report this morning which is very good to see. There's currently still a lot of cloud around but blue sky as well and the sun making appearances from time to time. We're expecting things to start warming up gradually over the coming run of days, but it should keep quite cold over the weekend and sun is expected. I have added (below) all of the planned closing dates for the lifts at the resort... they are all of course subject to change due to snow conditions. Official snow depths: Utopia: 70cm Chuo: 100cm Paradise: 90cm Uwanodai: 40cm Planned closing dates of lifts at Zao Onsen (subject to change due to snow conditions) Open until Sunday 27th March: Onsen Number 3 Parallel AB lift Onsen Number 4 quad lift Ryuzan pair lift Nakamori Number 2 pair lift Diamond Number 1 pair lift Open until Thursday 31st March: Nakamori Number 1 triple lift Diamond Number 1 lift Omori quad lift Yokokura Number 2 pair lift Astraea Number 1 pair lift Astraea Number 2 pair lift Astraea Number 3 pair lift Open until Sunday 3rd April: Onsen Number 1 pair lift Onsen Number 2 quad lift Shobunuma Number 2 pair lift Open until Sunday 10th April: Mikaeri pair lift Yokokura Number 1 pair AB lift Open until Sunday 17th April: Kurohime Number 1 quad lift Open until Thursday 5th May: Chuo Number 1 pair lift AB Chuo Number 2 pair lift AB (daily until 3rd April and then Sat/Sun and holidays only) Katakai triple lift (daily until 3rd April and then Sat/Sun and holidays only) Paradise pair AB lift (daily until 3rd April and then Sat/Sun and holidays only) Utopia Number 2 pair lift The Zao Ropeway, Sky Cable gondola and Chuo Ropeway are all open throughout the year (apart from specific maintenance periods) Lifts not mentioned in the above list have already closed for the season. Zao Now 2015-2016 season Data as of Friday 25th March 2016 Total snowfall at base 457cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 63 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 46cm (on 19th January) November 2015 snowfall 22cm observed on 2 days December 2015 snowfall 96cm observed on 12 days January 2016 snowfall 211cm observed on 25 days February 2016 snowfall 83cm observed on 17 days March 2016 snowfall 45cm observed on 7 days Previous report Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Zao Onsen. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata New snowfall at base 0cm Snowfall at base this season 460cm Posted on Thursday 28th April 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . This is my last Zao Now report of the 2015/2016 season. It has been decided that the last day of the snow season here in Zao will be Saturday 30th April... if the narrow open Chuo area can actually make it until then. It's borderline! I can't say that what is left looks particularly appealing and rain falling is not helping. But if you really must get in that last slide of the season... It has been a very odd season. And not just here in Zao and Yamagata but it seems in most snow regions of the main island of Honshu. Almost every region of Japan has experienced less snow - and in some cases much less snow - than usual. We expect so much snow and consistent snowfall here that worrying about snow is something that people just simply aren't used to. And of course everyone is hoping that they will not need to be thinking about again next season. If you want to get a picture of the season as a whole please do read through all of the Zao Now archives below. I highly recommend that you also read through the archives from previous seasons as well - mainly because this last season has definitely not been 'normal' or 'average' (however you define those terms). So, here is to a good summer season and then a much more snowy 2016-2017 winter season. It is, after all, what we expect! I'm confident that's what we will get. See in back here in late autumn when the Zao Now reports will start up again. Zao Now 2015-2016 season Data as of Thursday 28th April 2016 Total snowfall at base 460cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 64 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 46cm (on 19th January) November 2015 snowfall 22cm observed on 2 days December 2015 snowfall 96cm observed on 12 days January 2016 snowfall 211cm observed on 25 days February 2016 snowfall 83cm observed on 17 days March 2016 snowfall 45cm observed on 7 days April 2016 snowfall 3cm observed on 1 day Previous report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Zao Onsen. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata New snowfall at base 3cm Snowfall at base this season 460cm Posted on Tuesday 12th April 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Morning from here in Zao. And guess what... yesterday morning there was 3cm of fresh snowfall on the ground. (Note that the 3cm recorded in this report is that snowfall). We got a quick blast of winter once again! This morning the sun is out and while it has been a cold early morning I suspect it will warm up and we'll soon be getting back to April-like conditions. It's going to get warmer still over the next few days with some rain (heavy rain?) due around Wednesday night into Thursday. The snow base has completely gone from around lower areas now - just limited top areas remain open. Official snow depths: Utopia: 40cm Chuo: 60cm Paradise: 50cm Uwanodai: -cm Planned closing dates of lifts at Zao Onsen (subject to change due to snow conditions) Open daily until Thursday 5th May: Chuo Number 1 pair lift AB Chuo Number 2 pair lift AB (* Sat/Sun and holidays only) Katakai triple lift (* Sat/Sun and holidays only) Paradise pair AB lift (* Sat/Sun and holidays only) Utopia Number 2 pair lift Also open only on Saturdays and holidays until Thursday 5th May: Chuo Number 2 pair lift AB Katakai triple lift Paradise pair AB lift The Zao Ropeway, Sky Cable gondola and Chuo Ropeway are all open throughout the year (apart from specific maintenance periods) Lifts not mentioned in the above list have closed for the season. Zao Now 2015-2016 season Data as of Tuesday 12th April 2016 Total snowfall at base 460cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 64 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 46cm (on 19th January) November 2015 snowfall 22cm observed on 2 days December 2015 snowfall 96cm observed on 12 days January 2016 snowfall 211cm observed on 25 days February 2016 snowfall 83cm observed on 17 days March 2016 snowfall 45cm observed on 7 days April 2016 snowfall 3cm observed on 1 day Previous report Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Zao Onsen. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata New snowfall at base 1cm Snowfall at base this season 454cm Posted on Tuesday 15th March 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . It's a cloudy morning in Zao, though there have been some signs of the sun getting through some of the clouds in places. It looks like higher up on the mountain there's still quite a lot of cloud and fog, so limited visibility. Just a bit of snow to report this morning again, but not enough to give us soft conditions under-board. A light wind outside my place but moderate winds are forecast for out there today, though I doubt it will affect any lifts. Tomorrow and Thursday we're expecting clearer skies and as with most areas of Japan it would seem, warm temperatures. Zao Now 2015-2016 season Data as of Tuesday 15th March 2016 Total snowfall at base 454cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 62 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 46cm (on 19th January) November 2015 snowfall 22cm observed on 2 days December 2015 snowfall 96cm observed on 12 days January 2016 snowfall 211cm observed on 25 days February 2016 snowfall 83cm observed on 17 days March 2016 snowfall 42cm observed on 6 days Previous report Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Zao Onsen. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata New snowfall at base 1cm Snowfall at base this season 330cm Posted on Monday 1st February 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Good morning from Zao. More limited visibility on the mountain again this morning but it's not snowing - more like a cloudy and foggy situation. There has been a bit of snow since yesterday but it's rather wet and heavy. I had fun out there yesterday but my knees and thighs definitely took a good workout and we could really be doing with a new decent delivery of snow to liven things up and freshen things up. Which brings me to... I am finding myself disagreeing with the snow quality code that the resort is publishing at the moment. The available codes are as below: S - powder snow A - very good B - fairly good C - normal/average D - fairly poor E - poor The resort today is claiming 'S' as the mountain-wide quality of snow this morning. If today is 'S', then how do we compare that with when there's 40cm of fresh light dry powder out there? Today is not 'S'. Anyway, enough of that hopefully we should get a bit of snowfall tomorrow and then after that it's probably going to be the end of the week before we get much more. Zao Now 2015-2016 season Data as of Monday 1st February 2016 Total snowfall at base 330cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 40 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 46cm (on 19th January) November 2015 snowfall 22cm observed on 2 days December 2015 snowfall 96cm observed on 12 days January 2016 snowfall 211cm observed on 25 days February 2016 snowfall 1cm 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 12cm Snowfall at base this season 342cm Posted on Tuesday 2nd February 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . It has been snowing. And we have a decent 12cm of fresh snowfall since yesterday as well. Snow was coming down this morning - again a bit on the wet side - but hopefully we might get some more before the end of today and overnight. There's also a chance of some blue sky around today. There doesn't seem to be a whole lot lined up in the forecast for after that over the next 6 days or so, so the more we get now the better. All planned lifts are operating this morning. The Karamatsu lift is rested on weekdays. Official snow depths: Utopia: 125cm Chuo: 160cm Paradise: 140cm Uwanodai: 110cm Zao Now 2015-2016 season Data as of Tuesday 2nd February 2016 Total snowfall at base 342cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 41 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 46cm (on 19th January) November 2015 snowfall 22cm observed on 2 days December 2015 snowfall 96cm observed on 12 days January 2016 snowfall 211cm observed on 25 days February 2016 snowfall 13cm 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 5cm Snowfall at base this season 354cm Posted on Saturday 6th February 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . It's snowing again this morning. 5cm on the ground around my base area here and more falling as I write this - I think it's going to be limited visibility up on the slopes once again this morning. It might well be snowing right now but not a whole lot of snow is expected over the next few days, so says the updated forecast. After Monday when sunny skies are expected, the next decent snowfall would seem to be due around Tuesday/Wednesday and we might get some strong winds blowing about as well then. Still it should keep cold each day. Tonight it's the Juhyo Matsuri (festival) tonight with amongst other things a firework display from 9pm. And welcome to all of the guests who are now here in Zao for the Chinese New Year. All lifts are operating this morning. Official snow depths: Utopia: 125cm Chuo: 160cm Paradise: 140cm Uwanodai: 110cm Zao Now 2015-2016 season Data as of Saturday 6th February 2016 Total snowfall at base 354cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 44 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 46cm (on 19th January) November 2015 snowfall 22cm observed on 2 days December 2015 snowfall 96cm observed on 12 days January 2016 snowfall 211cm observed on 25 days February 2016 snowfall 25cm 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 1cm Snowfall at base this season 355cm Posted on Monday 8th February 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Morning from Zao Onsen, and it's a really cold one - possibly the coldest morning of the season, certainly one of them. My thermometer earlier on was saying -7 degrees. Wonder how much colder it is up on the mountain right now?! (Resort is reporting -12 degrees as of 8:30am). There was some cloud around earlier as well but it's mostly blue sky now and the sun shining brightly. Lovely. Still due to be snowing tomorrow and into Wednesday and hopefully strong winds won't cause us any problems. Lots of Japan looks like it's due something of a warm up this coming weekend and it might well bring with it some rain. Here's to avoiding that lot! All lifts are operating this morning. Official snow depths: Utopia: 125cm Chuo: 160cm Paradise: 140cm Uwanodai: 110cm Zao Now 2015-2016 season Data as of Monday 8th February 2016 Total snowfall at base 355cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 45 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 46cm (on 19th January) November 2015 snowfall 22cm observed on 2 days December 2015 snowfall 96cm observed on 12 days January 2016 snowfall 211cm observed on 25 days February 2016 snowfall 26cm 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 3cm Snowfall at base this season 345cm Posted on Wednesday 3rd February 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . It seems a while since we got sunny blue skies over us here in Zao - but it's one of those mornings today. Very fine conditions this morning. Just 3cm of snow since yesterday to report but I think people will be excited just to get to see everything after quite a lot of white-out (or near white-out) days recently! Even with the sun it should be keeping very cold today, with slightly warmer conditions expected tomorrow. The forecast looks to be pointing to snowfall tomorrow and then again around Saturday, and those regular refreshes will be welcome (as always). All planned lifts are operating this morning. The Karamatsu lift is rested on weekdays. Official snow depths: Utopia: 125cm Chuo: 160cm Paradise: 140cm Uwanodai: 110cm Zao Now 2015-2016 season Data as of Wednesday 3rd February 2016 Total snowfall at base 345cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 42 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 46cm (on 19th January) November 2015 snowfall 22cm observed on 2 days December 2015 snowfall 96cm observed on 12 days January 2016 snowfall 211cm observed on 25 days February 2016 snowfall 16cm 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