Tohoku's largest — 43 runs threading the Juhyo snow-monster ridges of Mt Zao, anchored by a 900-year-old sulphur-onsen village.
Live conditions
Off-seasonThe mountain is resting.
Next season
Opens late November
Current temp 9°C, wind 4 km/h. We’ll resume the daily report once snowfall picks up.
Forecast data via Open-Meteo. Refreshes hourly. Always verify with the resort before driving up.
Why Zao Onsen Ski Resort
Tohoku's largest — 43 runs threading the Juhyo snow-monster ridges of Mt Zao, anchored by a 900-year-old sulphur-onsen village.
Zao Onsen Ski Resort is a premier ski resort in Yamagata, Tohoku, with 43 marked runs and 944m of vertical. It averages around 12m+ of snowfall a season, over terrain that suits intermediates. Expect deep powder, a large interconnected mountain, and onsen hot springs.
Terrain in detail
BalancedMixed terrain — solid intermediate base with sharper lines for advanced skiers. Difficulty, powder character, and the stats that matter on the mountain itself.
Hardcore index
41
Mixed terrain — solid intermediate base with sharper lines for advanced skiers.
From terrain split, run profile, vertical drop, expert features.
Powder profile
Famous snow monsters — wet, heavy, scenic.
Wet, heavy maritime snow — sticky on warm days.
12
m+
per season
Regular storm cycles
Expert runs
9 of 43
Estimated from advanced terrain split.
Vertical drop
944m
Big-mountain vertical.
Steepest pitch
38°
True double-black gradient.
Backcountry gates
None
In-bounds skiing only.
Tree skiing
Limited
Mostly groomed terrain.
Moguls
Few
Mostly cord and powder.
Best for
Terrain
Getting there
From airport
Approximately 60 minutes from Sendai Airport
Train / bus
Bus from JR Yamagata Station Approximately 60 minutes from Sendai Airport
Bus from JR Yamagata Station Approximately 60 minutes from Sendai Airport
Photo: 663highland / CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source
Curated guides covering Zao Onsen Ski Resort and the rest of Tohoku.
More resorts in Tohoku
resort town
A long-season resort overlooking the Sea of Japan, run by the Rockwood Hotel — a short hop from the Shinkansen and rarely crowded.
powder-focused
A single ropeway into Tohoku's most legendary backcountry — snow-monster ridges, tree runs through beech forest, and some of Japan's deepest, driest snow. Experts and guides only on most days.
day trip
A city mountain on the edge of Aomori — short lift lines, floodlit night skiing, and a reliable first day of a Tohoku trip.
resort town
Overlooking Lake Tazawa — Japan's deepest — with long cruising runs and a clean shuttle connection from the Akita Shinkansen.
