1. Zao Onsen Ski Resort Opening Day

The park is scheduled to open for the 2024-2025 season on Saturday, December 14.

Please check the official website for details on whether or not you can ski, as this depends on the snow conditions.

From the opening day until Friday, December 20, there will be discounts on the lifts and ropeways. (Adult 1-day ticket: 4,800 yen, Child 1-day ticket: 2,400 yen)

In addition, the final season will run from Tuesday, April 1st until the closing date , or at the latest Tuesday, May 6th (national holiday), and lifts and ropeways will be available at special prices, just like the open season.

There is also a “Children’s Ski Day” which offers discounts for children up to junior high school age, so be sure to take advantage of it.

2. What is the difference between the rime-covered trees and the Snow Monsters?

① Snow Monsters

Zao is all about Snow Monsters, but what exactly are rime-covered trees? We’ll give you a simple explanation.

The Snow Monsters are formed when water vapor in the air freezes.

<How Snow Monsters are formed>
① Cloud particles (supercooled water droplets) in snow clouds freeze and form snow on the coniferous tree, Mallow Fir (around December).
② Shrimp tails form facing upwind, and snowflakes are trapped in the gaps (around January).
3) Ice and snow accumulates in abundance, gradually hardening and growing until the Snow Monsters become magnificent (around February).

The timing is just a guide, but the largest growth occurs around February.

You can see them in the Snow Monsters area on the Zao Ropeway heading from Juhyo Kogen Station (1,331m above sea level) to Jizo Sancho Station (1,661m above sea level).

At night, it is lit up and you can see a fantastic sight. More details will be introduced later.

② Rime-covered trees

Have you ever heard of the word rime?

Rime occurs when fog forms in cold climates and adheres to branches and other objects and freezes.

It looks like white flowers are blooming, and together with the Snow Monsters, it is a beautiful natural phenomenon.

In Zao, they are often found at an altitude of around 1,300m.

One of the attractions of Zao Onsen Ski Resort is that you can enjoy skiing and trekking while viewing the beautiful rime-covered trees up close.

3. Zao Onsen Ski Resort Information

① Slopes

Zao Onsen Ski Resort covers an area of 305 hectares and has 14 slopes and 12 runs.

There are a variety of courses available, from beginner to advanced, including the Snow Monsters Area course, where you can ski down while looking at the frost-covered trees, and Yokokura Wall, with a maximum slope of 38 degrees.

The ski resort is so large that it would be difficult to cover all the courses in one day.
You’ll enjoy it more if you check out the courses in advance to suit your level and goals.

Please visit multiple times and find the slopes that suit your taste.

② Night skiing

For those who feel like daytime skiing just isn’t enough, try night skiing!!

＜Uwanodai slopes＞
Period : Every day from Saturday, December 21, 2024 to Monday, February 24, 2025 (substitute holiday) and on Saturday , March 1 and Sunday, March 2
❖ Night ticket prices and operating hours
Operating hours : 17:00-21:00
Price : Adult 3,000 yen , Children 1,500 yen

③ Snowfall and skiing availability information

Zao Onsen Ski Resort’s website provides information on snowfall and whether skiing is possible during the season.

It’s convenient to check the daily situation in advance.
Click the button below for more information!

* Available only during the season

Zao area information

④ Lift and ropeway combined ticket fare

The photo is for illustrative purposes only.

You might also be wondering how much the joint lift and ropeway ticket costs.
There are also days when special prices are available, so be sure to check them out.

◆ Regular season [Saturday, December 21st to Thursday, March 20th (National Holiday)]
<1-day ticket>
Adult : 7,500 yen
Children : 3,800 yen (until February 28th)
Seniors and high school students : 6,700 yen
**************************************************
<2-day ticket>
Adult : 14,900 yen
Children : 7,500 yen (until February 28th)
Seniors and high school students : 13,400 yen
**************************************************
◆Discount season tickets
Adult : 83,000 yen
Children : 42,000 yen
High school students : 49,000 yen
Seniors and students : 77,000 yen *Night skiing available (Uwanodai slopes)
**************************************************
*Children are those in third year of junior high school or younger, and seniors are those 60 years or older. Please see the detailed information for detailed pricing information.

⑤ Special offer days (lifts and special offers)

Introducing great value services!!

[Gift of gratitude]


A 200 yen coffee voucher will be given to those who purchase a senior lift ticket (over 60 years old)

[Ski Children’s Day]
For children of elementary school age and younger, the all-mountain 1-day pass is 1,000 yen!

It is also available for night games.

＜2025＞
◎January 18th (Sat), 19th (Sun), 25th (Sat), 26th (Sun)
◎ February 11th (Tuesday, national holiday) and 24th (Monday, substitute holiday)
◎ March 1st (Sat), 2nd (Sun), 8th (Sat), 9th (Sun), 15th (Sat), 16th (Sun), 20th (Thurs, National Holiday), 22nd (Sat), 23rd (Sun)
Child 1-day ticket: 1,000 yen (junior high school students and younger)
*Can also be used for night games.

[special discounts]
=Zao Onsen Ski Resort All Mountains Common Ticket Price=
OPEN SEASON
◎From the opening date until Friday, December 20, 2024 Adult: 4,800 yen Children: 2,400 yen
<Spring Season>
◎Saturday, March 21, 2025 – Monday, March 31, 2025
Adult: 6,500 yen Children: 3,300 yen (3/1-3/31)
Seniors and high school students: 5,700 yen
<Final Season>
◎From April 1, 2025 (Tuesday) until closing date Adult: 4,800 yen Children: 2,400 yen
*******************************************
*Children are junior high school third grade or younger *Seniors are 60 years or older

4. How to enjoy the Snow Monsters

① Experience Menu

[snowshoe trekking]

The photo is for illustrative purposes only.

Snow trekking guided by Zaomountain instructor.

Why not enjoy the spectacular winter scenery of the Snow Monsters, and the glittering, beautiful world of rime that adheres to tree branches with the guidance of a mountain instructor?

There are three courses to choose from, depending on your purpose and level of fitness.

[Go beyond the summit of Jizo Mountain to Kumanodake and snowy Okama Crater Lake]

We will walk through the precious snow-capped Okama Crater Lake with our mountain instructor .
On a clear day, you can get a panoramic view of mountains such as Mt. Chokai, Mt. Gassan, Hayama, the Asahi mountain range, and the Iide mountain range.

② Viewing Snow Monsters

When you think of Zao, the first thing that comes to mind is frost-covered trees.

When lit up, the frost-covered trees that stand out in the pitch black darkness look truly monstrous.

Please come and see the impressive art created by nature.

<Period>
December 27, 2024 (Friday) – February 23, 2025 (Sunday/Holiday)
Limited to 35 days
Contents:
❆Snow Monsters Light-up
❆ Night Cruiser “Frost-covered Trees Corridor” Tour ❆ Daylight Frost-covered Trees (late December to early March)

5. Enjoy more than just skiing and snowboarding

・60th Zao Juhyo Festival 2024

There are events planned that can be enjoyed by both skiers and non-skiers, children and adults alike.

Enjoy the beautiful winter at Zao.

*The content of each event may change depending on the weather.

<Period>
Friday, December 27, 2024 – Monday, February 24, 2025 (substitute holiday)
<Venue>
Zao Onsen, Yamagata City
＜Contents＞
・60th Anniversary! Revival! Feast of Snow and Fire (Torchlight Skating & Winter HANABI)
・A huge collection of winter work vehicles! (Snowcats, snowmobiles, etc.)
・Winter “Zao Good Luck Tour” Stamp Rally ・Steam Akari ・Jukki Snow Park
＜Inquiry＞
Yamagata City Tourist Information Center ☎ 023-647-2266

6. Summary

“Zao” is full of charm.

In addition to skiing, winter in Zao is packed with attractions, including strolling through the hot spring town and soaking in the hot springs.

Why not come and make some winter memories in Yamagata!