Zao Onsen plans to open on Saturday, 12 December 2026 for the 2026-2027 winter season. The resort says that whether you can ski on the first days depends on the snow.
From the opening day until 18 December, the resort runs an opening season with lower lift prices. A final season starts on 1 April 2027 and runs until 5 May at the latest. In both periods, a 1-day ticket costs 4,800 yen for adults and 2,400 yen for children.
For families, Zao also has "Ski Children's Day" dates on some weekends in January, February, and March. On those days, a 1-day ticket for children (junior high school age and younger) costs 1,000 yen. Check the official website for the exact dates.
Zao Onsen is in Yamagata, about 3 hours 45 minutes from Tokyo. Take the Yamagata Shinkansen to Yamagata Station, then a local bus to Zao Onsen (about 40 minutes).
Most resorts near Tokyo announce their dates between September and November. We track every confirmed 2026-2027 date, and explain how season timing works, in one place: When Do Honshu Ski Resorts Open?
Planning your trip? See the full Japan ski trip planning timeline.
Source: Zao Onsen Ski Resort official website. Translated and summarised by Japow Guides.
