Zao and Gassan First Snow Oct 28, Zao Echo Line Closed

First snow on Mt. Zao and Mt. Gassan

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) page listing first-snow records shows October 28, 2026 as the date for both Mt. Gassan and Mt. Zao. The Yamagata Local Meteorological Observatory also announced on the 28th that it had confirmed first snow on Zao. In Yamagata Prefecture, first snow was observed the same day on other peaks too, including Mt. Takiyama and Mt. Asahi-dake, as well as Gassan. ^[1][2][3]

Snowy scenery around Zao Onsen

At the Zao Ropeway Juhyo Kogen Station, at an elevation of a little over 1,300 m, the area was white with snow that had fallen since the early hours, as of just after 9 a.m. on the 28th. At Zao Onsen, visitors from Japan and overseas were reported to be enjoying the sudden snow. The Zao Echo Line road was temporarily closed for the whole of the 28th because of snow cover and icy road surfaces. ^[2][4]

The way first snow is recorded has changed this season

Starting this season, the JMA changed how it observes first snow. Instead of staff judging by eye, it now analyzes snow cover from weather data. Under the old visual method, the normal date for first snow on Zao was October 28. Because the methods differ, dates cannot simply be compared with those of past years. ^[5]

What to check if you plan to ski

First snow is a record of snow near the summit, and it is a separate matter from lifts opening on the slopes. You can check conditions on Zao with the Zao Onsen live cam. For the Gassan side, see the Gassan Ski Resort page.

Resorts that have opened this season are collected on our opening information page, which we update every morning from the resorts' official sites.

Sources

1. 気象庁｜初冠雪の記録等
2. 冬の訪れ 蔵王や月山などで初冠雪（YTS山形テレビ）
3. 月山・瀧山・朝日岳・雁戸山で初冠雪（YBC山形放送）
4. 初冠雪を観測 月山や朝日岳など山々で冬の便り 蔵王温泉スキー場では国内外の観光客が雪楽しむ（YBC山形放送）
5. 蔵王と泉ヶ岳で初冠雪 気象庁（khb東日本放送）

Prepared with AI assistance from public sources. Always check each resort's official website for the latest information.