1. Ski resort

Zao Onsen ski area is 305 ha wide with 14 slopes and 11 courses.

There are various courses from Beginner to Advanced, and a variety of courses such as the Snow Monsters area course where you can glide while watching the snow monsters and the Yokokura wall with a maximum inclination of 38 degrees.

Since it is a vast ski resort, it is difficult to go around all the courses in just one day.
If you check the course in advance according to your level and purpose, you will enjoy it more.

Please visit again and again to find your favorite slopes.

2. Night skiing

Night skiing is available for those who aren’t satisfied with daytime alone!

Uwanodai slopes
Period : December 25 (Sat.), 2021 to February 27 (Sun.), 2022
& March 4 (Fri.), 5 (Sat.), 6 (Sun.), 11 (Fri.), 12 (Sat.), 2022

Yokokura slopes
Period: December 25 (Sat.), 26 (Sun.), & 29 (Wed.) to January 3 (Mon.), 2022
& Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from January 7 (Fri.) to March 5 (Sat.), 2022

* This may change depending on the snow and slopes conditions

3. Information on the amount of snow

The website for the Zao Onsen Ski Resort provides information on the amount of snow and whether or not skiing is possible during the season.

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

* Delivered only during the season

Zao area information

4. Lift & ropeway

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Here is the info regarding the fees for the ropeway and lifts.
There are days when they are cheaper so check it out!

◆ Regular season (December 18 to March 21)
1-day ticket:
– Adult 5,500 yen
– Child 2,800 yen *(from December 18 to February 28) (2,000 yen from March 1 to March 31)
– Senior & high school student 4,800 yen

2-day ticket:
– Adult 10,800 yen
– Child 5,400 yen *(from December 18 to February 28) (4,000 yen from March 1 to March 31)
– Senior & high school students 9,600 yen

◆ Advantageous season ticket
Adult: 68,000 yen
Child: 33,000 yen
Junior high school student: 39,000 yen
Senior & student: 63,000 yen

* From this season, the IC ticket deposit (500 yen) is no longer required.
* Children are elementary school students or younger, seniors are 60 years old or older.

Please see the detailed information for detailed charges.

5. Advantageous days (lift & benefits)

Introducing services that can be used for a great value!

・ Gift of gratitude

A 200 yen coffee ticket will be presented to purchasers of lift senior tickets (60 years old and over).

・ Children's Days for Ski

Only for children of elementary school age, the one-day ticket to access all lifts is 1,000 yen (usually 2,800 yen) on selected days!

It can also be used during the evenings.

◎ January 15 (Sat.), 16 (Sun.), 29 (Sat.), 30 (Sun.), 2022
◎ February 11 (Fri.) and 23 (Wed.), 2022
◎ March 12 (Sat.), 13 (Sun.), 26 (Sat.), 27 (Sun.), 2022
1-day child ticket: 1,000 yen (children of elementary school age)
* Can also be used during the evening

・Special discounts

Season Opening
◎ From the business start date to December 17, 2021 (Fri.)

Season Ending
◎ From April 1, 2022 (Wed.) to the closing date (yet to be determined)

Adult 1-day ticket: 3,500 yen
Child 1-day ticket: 1,800 yen

6. Snow trekking

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You can take a leisurely stroll at your own pace, so even those who are not confident in their physical strength can participate with peace of mind.

There are custom-made trekking tours that can meet the needs of everyone, including Okama crater lake viewing tours.

Please enjoy the magnificent scenery unique to winter.

・ [Activity] Snowshoes Hiking at Zao! Explore the Chuo Kogen snowfields

(Watching rime frost and snow monsters at your own pace without a guide)

Currently accepting reservations!

Period: January 10 (Mon.) to March 6 (Sun.), 2022
Reception: 9:00~14: 00
Price: Adult 3,000 yen
* Zao Chuo Ropeway & Sky cable round trip & snowshoes rental fees included
* May be canceled due to weather, snow quality, etc. Please see the detailed information below for trial application.

Click here for an article reporting on the experience of the VISIT YAMAGATA writer!

・[Activity] Snowshoes Trekking at Zao! Snow Monsters with a guide

We also recommend snowshoes trekking guided by an instructor who knows all about the mountains of Zao.

Click here for an article reporting what you actually experienced!

Currently accepting reservations!

Sale period : January 20 (Thu.) to March 15 (Tue.), 2022

・ [Activity] Snowy Okama crater lake tour

Walk along the famed Okama crater lake covered with snow with a mountain instructor.
In fine weather, you can overlook the mountains such as Mt. Chokai, Mt. Gassan, Hayama, Asahi mountain range, and Iide mountain range.

Currently accepting reservations!

Sale period : March 15 (Tue.) ~ May 8, 2022 (Sun.)

7. Zao Juhyo Festival 2022

Whether you are skiing or not, there are plans for children and adults to enjoy.

Enjoy the beautiful winter at Zao during the 57th edition of the Juhyo Festival.

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

Period: December 25 (Sat.), 2021 to February 28 (Mon.), 2022
Venue: Zao Onsen village
Contents:
・ 1,000 Torches Gliding Event
・ A large collection of working cars in winter! (snowmobiles and such)
・ Coming to Zao! Photo spots
・ Winter Zao good luck migration
・ Zao illumination
・Winter Fireworks
Due to the cancellation of the “FIS Women’s Ski Jumping World Cup 2022 Zao Tournament”, fireworks also have been cancelled.
・ Jukki Snow Park
Inquiry: Zao Juhyo Festival Council (inside the Yamagata City Tourism Association)
☎023-647-2266

8. Viewing Snow Monsters

Zao is famous for its snow monsters. They rime ice-covered Marie’s fir trees taking a fantastic appearance in the midst of winter.

The illuminated rime-covered shaped that emerges in the jet-black darkness are just like monsters.

Please take a look at this powerful art created by nature.

Period: December 25 (Sat.), 2021 to February 28 (Mon.), 2022
Limited to 45 days during the period

Contents:
❆ Snow Monsters lit-up
❆ Snow Monsters Illusion Corridor Tour on the Night Cruiser
❆ Daylight Snow Monsters (late December to early March)

・ [From Kaminoyama Onsen] Zao at Noon

Most popular winter tour ★ From Kaminoyama Onsen ★ Daytime snow monsters viewing plan

· You can reach Zao Onsen from Kaminoyama Onsen in 30 minutes, enjoy the snow monsters going up the mountain by ropeway and end your tour by shopping at Gutto Yamagata, the largest souvenir shop in Yamagata ♪ The tour includes the transportation between Kaminoyama Onsen and Zao.

Currently accepting reservations!

Sale period : December 25 (Sat.), 2021 to March 6 (Sun.), 2022

・ [From Kaminoyama Onsen] Zao at Night

Second most popular winter tour ★ From Kaminoyama Onsen ★ Nighttime snow monsters viewing plan

· You can reach Zao Onsen from Kaminoyama Onsen in 30 minutes and enjoy the lit-up snow monsters going up the mountain by ropeway ♪ The tour includes the transportation between Kaminoyama Onsen and Zao.

Currently accepting reservations!

Sale period: December 25 (Sat.), 2021 to February 28 (Mon.), 2022

9. Zao Onsen village

After spending the day on the mountain, come heal your tiredness at the Zao Onsen village.

Zao Onsen is a hot spring resort at the western foot of the Zao mounaint range and is said to have opened in 110 AD.

The water out of the hot springs is strongly acidic and effective against skin diseases and are said to have a skin beautifying effect.

In addition, there are unique charms at Zao such as its famed igamochi rice cake, kokeshi dolls, jingisukan lamb BBQ dish and the Sake Museum where you can try sake from all the breweries in Yamagata prefecture.

10. Summary

Zao Onsen is full of charm.

Not to mention skiing and other winter attractions, you can also enjoy the walk in the hot spring village and take a bath at one of its many day trip bathing facilities.,

Come make great memories at Zao Onsen in Yamagata!