Historical planning figures · Figures marked * come from earlier references and may differ from current resort figures.
Other names · Zao, Yamagata Zao
Our guide helps you choose a mountain and plan the kind of trip you want. Recommendations reflect our editorial judgment; source checks cover the specific details listed below.
Typically early December to early May
A broad planning range from the historical guide, conditions permitting. Use the operator’s schedule for your travel dates.
Official schedules & conditions ↗- Summer and winter destination
- Yes
- Source ↗ · Oct 25, 2026
- Beyond winter
- Scenic ropeway rides and forest trekking in the Zao mountains.
- Source ↗ · Oct 25, 2026
- Official website
- https://zaomountainresort.com/
- Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
- Summit elevation (ft)
- 5449
- Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
- Base elevation (ft)
- 2559
- Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
- Night skiing
- Scheduled · 2026–27 · 17:00–21:00 · Daily December 19, 2026–February 28, 2027, plus March 6–7, 2027 · Night terrain is the Uwanodai slope.
- Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
- Vertical drop (ft)
- About 2890
- Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Historical mountain figures awaiting field-level confirmation: Skiable area (acres), Lifts, Runs, Reported average snowfall (in).
Individual listings retain their own sources and check dates. A source check covers only the named details; it does not confirm availability. Snowfall averages describe climate, not a forecast.
Zao ski terrain guide ↗Juhyogen and Paradise are described as red intermediate terrain; the green Sunrise course leads to the village. Hanenkamm A/B includes advanced steep slopes. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.
Zao trail map and terrain ↗Zao Sky Cable is a lift. The resort separates Zangezaka, Juhyogen and Paradise bypass from Paradise Slope and distinguishes expert Hanenkamm A/B from intermediate C. Accessible night area is Uwanodai. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.
Yamagata Kotsu – Zao ↗About 40 minutes by bus from Yamagata Station to Zao Onsen; the ropeway is a separate walk from the bus terminal. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.
Tohoku tourism – Okama Crater ↗Distinct crater destination accessed via Zao Echo Line and Highline in their road season; roads closed in winter. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.
Zao Ropeway winter guide ↗Juhyo viewing is served by Zao Ropeway, and Jizo Sancho station is the summit stop. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.
Yamagata Zao roadside station parking ↗Separate paid vehicle-overnight area; reservations, electric supply, winter water limits and no showers. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.
Yoshidaya ↗Village inn with pet-friendly accommodation, hot springs, local dinner and Japanese breakfast. · Checked Oct 27, 2026. This check covers these details only.
Zao ski area figures ↗Base 780 metres and summit station 1,661 metres. · Checked Oct 27, 2026. This check covers these details only.
TAKAMIYA HOTEL LUCENT | TAKAMIYA HOTEL GROUP ↗Central Zao Onsen hotel with 60 Japanese and Japanese-Western rooms, Wi-Fi, parking, public hot-spring baths and reservable private baths. · Checked Oct 27, 2026. This check covers these details only.
Zao Kokusai Hotel ↗The operator locates its hotel beside the Yokokura slope near Zao Ropeway and describes public, outdoor and private-use baths, a restaurant and booking options. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.
Japan National Tourism Organization – Lodge Scole ↗JNTO identifies the family-run Alpine-style lodge at 746 Zao Onsen, within walking distance of the bus terminal. It welcomes dogs and links to the lodge website. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.
Zao Onsen Tourism – Pension Kiichigo ↗This small pension offers room-only or B&B stays in Ogura, Kaminoyama, a drive from the Zao Onsen ski area. Its listing includes a telephone contact and property website. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.
Zao Onsen official rental shop directory ↗The resort lists Shiba Ski beside the Central Ropeway at the Nakamori slope and links the shop’s own page. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.
Shiba Ski – rental shop at Zao Onsen ↗The shop describes ski and snowboard hire and distinguishes its rental business from Shiba Mama’s food outlet. Its old tariff is not used as a current offer. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.
Ski | ZAO ONSEN SKI RESORT ↗Official Zao Onsen directory: Zao Utopia Ski School with phone and link; Zao Snowboard School with phone and link. · Checked Oct 27, 2026. This check covers these details only.
Forest Inn SANGORO Café ↗CAFE カフェ 季節の食材を活かした多彩なお料理をお楽しみいただけます。アクセス 〒990-2301 山形県山形市蔵王温泉中央ゲレンデ。冬季 当施設は中央ゲレンデ内にあり、ロープウェイもしくはスカイケーブルにてお越し下さい。 · Checked Oct 27, 2026. This check covers these details only.
Zao ski area dining ↗Restaurant Cheery is on level 4 of Jupeer at the foot of Uwanodai. It overlooks the slope and serves curry, rice bowls, noodles and set meals. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.
Visit Yamagata – Restaurant Robata ↗Village restaurant specializing in jingisukan, mutton grilled at the table on a raised metal skillet. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.
Zao Onsen dining guide ↗The directory lists Kiwa (貴和), an izakaya serving seasonal dishes and local sake, and Kasheru (かしぇる), a restaurant serving handmade soba and jingisukan. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.
Igamochi no Sato Sanbe ↗A café serving freshly made local iga-mochi rice cakes and matcha at 1221-2 Zao Onsen. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.
