Ski season 2026–27
Zao Onsen Ski Guide
Zao Onsen is in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. This guide maps the ski runs and lifts around it, shows when snow builds through the winter, and lists the nearest airports and the airlines that fly there.
- 39 km of runs, up to 1,661 m
- Deepest snow in January
- Sendai (SDJ) about 1h 15m by road
Getting to Zao Onsen
Zao Onsen hotels on ExpediaNearest airports and how to get there ↓Prices and availability are on the booking site.
Zao Onsen at a glance
- Runs
- 39 km
- Top
- 1,661 m
- Bottom
- 792 m
- Vertical
- 868 m
- Named runs
- 14
- Named lifts
- 34
- Most snow (regional)
- Jan
- Nearest airport
- SDJabout 1h 15m by road
Runs, top and bottom are for the whole 蔵王温泉スキー場, Zao Onsen Ski Resort ski area (OpenSkiMap).
Zao Onsen piste map
- Novice: 10 named runs
- Advanced: 2 named runs
- Intermediate: 1 named runs
- Easy: 1 named runs
- Lifts
Runs and lifts within 14 km of Zao Onsen, which can include neighbouring ski areas. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), read 22 Oct 2026. Check the resort's own piste map for closures and grading on the day.
Snow and temperature by month around Zao Onsen
Average snow depth on the ground in centimetres, 2001–2020, for the area around Zao Onsen. Snow on the pistes depends on altitude and snowmaking, so treat this as when the season builds and fades, not as a snow report.
| Month | Snow depth | Avg temperature |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 18.83 cm | -2.2°C / 28°F |
| Feb | 17.23 cm | -1.4°C / 29°F |
| Mar | 12.44 cm | 2.4°C / 36°F |
| Apr | 3.48 cm | 8.2°C / 47°F |
| May | 0 cm | 14.1°C / 57°F |
| Jun | 0 cm | 18.5°C / 65°F |
| Jul | 0 cm | 22.4°C / 72°F |
| Aug | 0 cm | 23.6°C / 74°F |
| Sep | 0 cm | 19.5°C / 67°F |
| Oct | 0 cm | 13.1°C / 56°F |
| Nov | 4 cm | 6.8°C / 44°F |
| Dec | 14.88 cm | 0.9°C / 34°F |
Source: NASA Langley Research Center POWER Project, Climatology API.
Flying to Zao Onsen
Airports within 300 km (straight-line distance) that at least three airlines on our route maps fly to.
Sendai (SDJ) · 47 km
- By car
- 79 km · about 1h 15m without traffic or snow
8 airlines fly here on our route maps:
Niigata (KIJ) · 114 km
- By car
- 154 km · about 1h 58m without traffic or snow
4 airlines fly here on our route maps:
Tokyo (NRT) · 266 km
65 airlines fly here on our route maps:
Driving: OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads (router.project-osrm.org): distance and typical driving time without traffic, snow or chains. Train: SBB timetable via transport.opendata.ch: connections leaving from 09:00 on Tuesday 15 December 2026. Check the operator before you travel.
Skip the ski bag at the airport
Luggage Forward collects your skis or board from your home or hotel and delivers them to Zao Onsen, with an on-time guarantee.
Book your Zao Onsen trip
3 hotels, lessons, transfers and activities our partners list for Zao Onsen. Prices and availability are on their sites; AirConnect earns a commission if you book through these links.
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Where to stay in Zao Onsen
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More lessons and activities in Zao Onsen
Zao Onsen ski questions
What is the nearest airport to Zao Onsen?
Sendai (SDJ) is 47 km from Zao Onsen in a straight line, and 8 airlines on AirConnect's route maps fly there. Niigata (KIJ) is 114 km away.
How long does it take to get from Sendai airport to Zao Onsen?
By car it is 79 km, about 1h 15m without traffic or snow (OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap).
When is there most snow around Zao Onsen?
In NASA's 2001–2020 averages for the area around Zao Onsen, snow on the ground peaks in January (18.83 cm). This is a regional average over roughly 50 km, not a resort snow report.
How many ski runs and lifts does Zao Onsen have?
OpenStreetMap lists 14 named downhill runs and 34 named lifts within 14 km of Zao Onsen (read 22 Oct 2026).
Compare snow across all ski resorts →
Where these numbers come from
Runs and lifts: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), read 22 Oct 2026. Snow and temperature: NASA POWER, 2001–2020 averages. Driving: OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads (router.project-osrm.org): distance and typical driving time without traffic, snow or chains. Train: SBB timetable via transport.opendata.ch: connections leaving from 09:00 on Tuesday 15 December 2026. Airlines: our own route maps.
- Every figure sourced
- Checked 22 Oct 2026
- No estimated prices
- Partner links tested weekly