Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata New snowfall at base 4cm Snowfall at base this season 579cm Posted on Monday 7th April 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Some snowfall over the weekend, along with cold temperatures again. Felt a bit like winter! This morning it is cloudy with some blue sky to see but feels like we might be on for a clear up. Spring is due to be back this week with clearer conditions, sun and a bit of warmth returning. From today, less lifts are open but lift tickets get cheaper making it now 3000 yen for a 1 day lift adult ticket. Operating ski lifts at Zao (* subject to change): Sometime in April, depending on snow conditions: Yokokura Number 1 Pair Kurohime Number 1 Quad Until 6th May: Ropeways and Gondolas (open through the year) Chuo Number 1 Pair Utopia Number 2 Pair Chuo Number 2 Pair (every day until 13th April, then holidays) Katakai Triple (every day until 13th April, then holidays) Paradise Pair (every day until 13th April, then holidays) Official snow depths: Utopia: 200cm Chuo: 200cm Paradise: 200cm Uwanodai: 90cm Zao Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Monday 7th April 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 579cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 59 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 107cm observed on 11 days April 2014 snowfall 4cm 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 0cm Snowfall at base this season 579cm Posted on Tuesday 6th May 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . It's the last day of Golden Week and the last day of the ski and snowboard season in Zao Onsen. It's over five months since the first ski lifts of the season opened back at the end of November 2013. It seems a long time ago, but then again the season has also gone very quickly. There have been a few ups and downs this year. Rain spoilt things a bit around early February, but Zao made a good comeback after that and we have enjoyed lots of snow deep into spring this season. The monsters recovered well as well and put on a good show. You can look back over the archive reports from the season (and indeed other seasons) using the links at the bottom of this page. The 3 Ropeways in Zao are open throughout the year, just closing for periods of maintenance - the latest info available on spring/early summer maintenance is posted below. That's it from me. Hope you have enjoyed reading the reports from Zao this season and they were helpful if you were planning a visit. No doubt we'll be back on the other side of summer in the run up to next season. See you then! ------------------------------------------------------------ Zao Ropeway Lower section & Utopia Number 1 summer lift: Closed from Wednesday 7th May until Wednesday 4th June (* but will open on 24th and 25th May) Upper section: Closed from Wednesday 7th May until Thursday 19th June (* but will open on 14th, 15th and 16th June) Zao Chuo Ropeway Closed from Wednesday 7th May until Friday 13th June Zao Sky Cable Closed from Saturday 14th June Zao Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Tuesday 6th May 2014 Total snowfall at base 579cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 59 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 107cm observed on 11 days April 2014 snowfall 4cm 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 10cm Snowfall at base this season 30cm Posted on Tuesday 2nd December 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Morning from Zao. Snowing properly this morning with 10cm or so of fresh snow on the ground here in the village areas and more on the way over the next few days and maybe into the weekend as well. I have heard some reports of 60cm of snow just in the next 24 hours. That would be nice if true! A few days of that kind of snowfall and I would expect lifts to be up and running quite quickly. Proper opening to the season just around the corner by the looks.... Will give you an update tomorrow. Zao Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Tuesday 2nd December 2014 Total snowfall at base 30cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 3 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 10cm (on 14th, 18th November and 2nd December) November 2014 snowfall 20cm observed on 2 days December 2014 snowfall 10cm 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 10cm Snowfall at base this season 20cm Posted on Tuesday 18th November 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . The sun has been out for a bit this morning and showing off all of the "white" on show with I would say a good 20+cm on the middle slopes of the resort. It's all looking like we could be sliding soon. Not much snow on the forecast over the coming week though, as it stands anyway. Hopefully it will remain cold. Zao Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Tuesday 18th November 2014 Total snowfall at base 20cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 2 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 10cm (on 14th and 18th November) November 2014 snowfall 20cm 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 30cm Snowfall at base this season 140cm Posted on Thursday 4th December 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . My oh my what a start to December this is. Masses of snow. Over 30cm since my report yesterday to report. But. No ski lifts running yet. I think all of the lifties are in some state of shock or something. Or maybe not. Just coping with this somewhat unexpected royally large dump of snow that we have had. Not that we are complaining... Chuo area now officially reporting 120cm of snow and apparently up on Utopia there's 130cm. The official opening ceremony for the resort is as I reported before on Saturday, but can we possibly see the whole mountain open then? I would say there's definitely a chance. A bit clearer at hhe moment and less wind but snow still falling and snowy conditions likely into the weekend as well. Official snow depths: Utopia: -cm Chuo: 120cm Paradise: -cm Uwanodai: -cm Zao Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Thursday 4th December 2014 Total snowfall at base 140cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 5 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 80cm (on 3rd December) November 2014 snowfall 20cm observed on 2 days December 2014 snowfall 120cm 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 4cm Snowfall at base this season 144cm Posted on Friday 5th December 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Just a bit more fresh snow since yesterday here and it's a cloudy start to the day in the village, a bit of light snow lazily falling. All this snow and I think people are still in shock. Is the full mountain open? Er, no. Looks like we have the Chuo Number 1 Pair lift moving and just that Chuo area of the resort open this morning. That's the latest as of 8:45am this morning. Utopia is today reporting 130cm of snow. Nice. The Chuo official snow depth has gone down from 120cm to 70cm today. Not sure what's going on there - who ate the snow?! - but there you go, those are the numbers. I would imagine that surely tomorrow we will see more of the resort open, but no official word yet. Perhaps it's a secret? ;) Official snow depths: Utopia: 130cm Chuo: 70cm Paradise: -cm Uwanodai: 80cm Zao Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Friday 5th December 2014 Total snowfall at base 144cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 6 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 80cm (on 3rd December) November 2014 snowfall 20cm observed on 2 days December 2014 snowfall 124cm 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 80cm Snowfall at base this season 110cm Posted on Wednesday 3rd December 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . I bring good snowy but also windy news! Loads of snow in Zao at the moment with this impressive winter storm really delivering. I'm not kidding there must have been 80cm of snow since my report yesterday. Full on. I am hearing rumours of the ski lifts might get to be moving today - if they can get round the strong winds as well - but haven't had any confirmation yet and the official website is now showing any changes. Whether things can get started today or not, once the storm settles we will surely have enough for a nearly full opening. Exciting stuff. I'll update you tomorrow morning. Official snow depths: Utopia: -cm Chuo: 50cm Paradise: -cm Uwanodai: -cm Zao Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Wednesday 3rd December 2014 Total snowfall at base 110cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 4 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 80cm (on 3rd December) November 2014 snowfall 20cm observed on 2 days December 2014 snowfall 90cm 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 168cm Posted on Thursday 11th December 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . 5cm or so of fresh snow to report since my last report. It was cold and windy yesterday but it's different again this morning - just a cloudy start to the day here, no wind and temperatures in positive numbers... +4 degrees in the village. Strong winds and a big winter storm just ahead though - it might not be the 'friendliest' of conditions out there this weekend if the forecast gets it right. It should be be cold, windy and we should be getting lots of fresh snow. Perhaps enough to get the whole mountain open next week? We shall see, and I will report! News on nighta operations at Zao: Uwanodai area: From Sunday 21st December until 22nd March Yokokura area: From Friday 26th December until 4th January; Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Friday 9th January until 15th March Open times from 5pm until 9pm and the cost is 2000 yen for adults and 1000 yen for children. Operating lifts at time of writing: Onsen Number 1 pair lift Mikaeri pair lift Chuo pair lift Paradise pair lift Yokokura Number 1 pair lift Utopia Number 2 pair lift All Ropeways/gondolas Official snow depths: Utopia: 140cm Chuo: 90cm Paradise: 110cm Uwanodai: 90cm Zao Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Thursday 11th December 2014 Total snowfall at base 168cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 9 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 80cm (on 3rd December) November 2014 snowfall 20cm observed on 2 days December 2014 snowfall 148cm 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 4cm Snowfall at base this season 148cm Posted on Saturday 6th December 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . It's Saturday 6th and the day of the official opening of the resort here, with the ceremony to be held on the Uwanodai area by the base centre at 11am. Prayers for safety will be made. And no doubt mochi will make some kind of appearance as well as some 'characters'. What's even more interesting than that is the fact that more of the resort is opening up this morning. 6 lifts plan to be moving as well as the usual ropeways and gondolas, and here they are: Onsen Number 1 pair lift Mikaeri pair lift Chuo pair lift Paradise pair lift Yokokura Number 1 pair lift Utopia Number 2 pair lift So basically we have 3 areas of the resort open - part of the base Uwanodai and Yokokura areas and the higher Paradise area. Snow clouds look set to be with us today before easing tomorrow. I think we can definitely say it is a very good start to the season. We're set for a good one, let's hope it continues. Official snow depths: Utopia: 130cm Chuo: 80cm Paradise: 80cm Uwanodai: 80cm Zao Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Saturday 6th December 2014 Total snowfall at base 148cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 7 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 80cm (on 3rd December) November 2014 snowfall 20cm observed on 2 days December 2014 snowfall 128cm 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 15cm Snowfall at base this season 163cm Posted on Sunday 7th December 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Another 15cm of new snowfall here in Zao this morning and a temperature of -5 degrees. Yesterday was that official ceremony held in the snow. Lots of happy faces though with this fine start to the season here. As far as I can tell this morning the areas of the resort open are the same as yesterday... they're taking it gradually and calmly (not like those of us aching to get out on the whole mountain!) Cloudy with light snow as I write this, poor visibility on the mountain. Forecast? Not a whole lot of snow actually from tomorrow and there looks like a good chance of things warming up slightly. Official snow depths: Utopia: 140cm Chuo: 90cm Paradise: 110cm Uwanodai: 80cm Operating lifts at time of writing: Onsen Number 1 pair lift Mikaeri pair lift Chuo pair lift Paradise pair lift Yokokura Number 1 pair lift Utopia Number 2 pair lift All Ropeways/gondolas Zao Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Sunday 7th December 2014 Total snowfall at base 163cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 8 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 80cm (on 3rd December) November 2014 snowfall 20cm observed on 2 days December 2014 snowfall 143cm 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 172cm Posted on Saturday 13th December 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . A few cm of fresh snow on the ground in the Zao village area this morning, perhaps a bit more higher up. Was windy yesterday but at the moment not much wind at all and fairly decent visibility too. Not exactly what we were expecting this morning. Still, the stormy conditions are expected this weekend. And it's definitely cold even now. More lifts are moving this morning including the debut of one of the fast Kurobishi quads. I always recomend people start their day over at that area... usually less people drive up to that area (only takes a few minutes) and the quad lift is really fast. Osusume! Zao Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Saturday 13th December 2014 Total snowfall at base 172cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 11 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 80cm (on 3rd December) November 2014 snowfall 20cm observed on 2 days December 2014 snowfall 152cm 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 170cm Posted on Friday 12th December 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . It's snowing now but heavier snow is due tomorrow and Sunday. A storm is coming. Strong winds already here in Zao this morning and very foggy conditions with poor visibility even down here in the village. Looks like there's almost nothing to see on the slopes. A few more cm on the ground to report this morning, but this just looks like the start of things with a lot of snow forecast over Saturday and Sunday. Let's see what I have to report tomorrow! Zao Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Friday 12th December 2014 Total snowfall at base 170cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 10 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 80cm (on 3rd December) November 2014 snowfall 20cm observed on 2 days December 2014 snowfall 150cm 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