Zao
蔵王38°10′ N 140°24′ E1 resorts¥9,000, about CAD 81 or USD 57 (October 2026 rates)
Zao suits riders who want one big ticketed mountain above an onsen town with the snow monsters at the top, and sightseers share the summit ropeway with riders.
Compare the 1 resorts
| Resort | Top | Vertical | Runs | Lifts | Piste | Steepest | Advanced + Expert | Day ticket | Night | Off-piste |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zao OnsenTohoku | 1,661 m | 881 m | 26 | 30 | 39.3 km | 32.8° | 6% | ¥9,000, about CAD 81 or USD 57 (October 2026 rates) (2026/27) | Yes | – |
Zao Onsen all-mountain ticket · season 2026/27
- Adult day
- ¥9,000, about CAD 81 or USD 57 (October 2026 rates)
- 2 days
- ¥17,900, about CAD 161 or USD 113 (October 2026 rates)
- 3 days
- ¥26,800, about CAD 241 or USD 169 (October 2026 rates)
One ticket covers every ropeway, the Sky Cable and all the chairs run by the companies in the Zao Sakudo Kyokai. Regular-season days cost ¥8,000, spring days ¥7,000, and early and late-season days ¥4,800. Ikon Pass holders get seven days on the full pass and five on the Base Pass.
Get between them
Yamako buses link Yamagata Station with the Zao Onsen bus terminal, and the ropeway stations sit within the village. NEKOMA Mountain plans a ski shuttle between its slopes and Zao Onsen for 2026/27 with the timetable still to come.
Zao is a volcanic range on the line between Yamagata and Miyagi. On the Yamagata side Zao Onsen covers the mountain with three ropeways, the Sky Cable gondola and 26 chairs, all on one ticket. The Zao Ropeway's top station at 1,661 m stands among the juhyo, the rime-crusted fir trees known as snow monsters, which grow through January and peak in February.
The village at the bottom grew up around a strongly acidic sulphur spring, and its three public baths charge ¥300 for an adult in 2026. Night riding on Uwanodai runs until 21:00 through the main season.
Worth knowing
- Zaozan is an active volcano at JMA Level 1. Check JMA's Zaozan page before you ride to the summit.
- Peak days cost ¥9,000 in 2026/27. Early December and April days drop to ¥4,800.
Quick answers about Zaoよくある質問
Which resorts make up Zao?
Zao links 1 resorts: Zao Onsen.
How much is a Zao Onsen all-mountain ticket?
An adult day on the Zao Onsen all-mountain ticket costs ¥9,000, about CAD 81 or USD 57 (October 2026 rates) in the 2026/27 season and covers every resort in Zao.
How do you get between the resorts of Zao?
Yamako buses link Yamagata Station with the Zao Onsen bus terminal, and the ropeway stations sit within the village. NEKOMA Mountain plans a ski shuttle between its slopes and Zao Onsen for 2026/27 with the timetable still to come.
In the journal
