Zao Onsen is one of the most famous and traditional skiing & snowboarding resorts in Japan as well as a popular all year traditional onsen hot spring resort village. Located in Yamagata Prefecture, about 30-40 minutes from Yamagata City by car, the Zao Onsen snow resort is known for excellent powder conditions, a wide range of courses covering a large area and the famous Juhyo "Snow Monsters".
The resort has 14 different slopes and 12 courses, and offers a wide variety for most levels of riders - from beginners to experts, children to seniors. The slopes are serviced by network of including 3 Rope Ways, 1 gondola and 35 other lifts with the longest course offering 10km of downhill riding.
The juhyo phenomenon is the result of some pretty harsh weather systems.
As notoriously heavy winter storms rush though the Zao Mountain Range, blown in by a Siberian jet stream, trees on the upper sections of some peaks begin to collect thick, juicy layers of snow and ice. The trees are eventually frozen into the fascinating forms that have turned this small village into a popular winter destination.
For skiers and snowboarders, access to the cable cars is included in the Zao Snow Resort lift package. For those on foot, there's a separate round-trip ticket. Once at the top, visitors on foot can head out of the observation area to a roped-off section and roam freely among the snow monsters. Those planning to ski down the mountain head left to a separate trail that connects with Zao Ski Resort's other runs. There are washrooms and a cafeteria-style restaurant in the observation center.
For skiers and snowboarders, access to the cable cars is included in the Zao Snow Resort lift package. For those on foot, there's a separate round-trip ticket. Once at the top, visitors on foot can head out of the observation area to a roped-off section and roam freely among the snow monsters. Those planning to ski down the mountain head left to a separate trail that connects with Zao Ski Resort's other runs. There are washrooms and a cafeteria-style restaurant in the observation center.
To reach the snow monsters, visitors take two connected, enclosed cable cars, the first of which starts from the main Zao Ski Resort ropeway base.
Zao Onsen itself is a small, walkable mountain village with huge charms, offering a classic small-town Japan experience. This being an onsen (hot spring) town, the smell of sulfur is rich in the air -- a scent that can please or repel depending on individual tastes.In addition to several public onsens, some hotes have their own in-house hot spring facilities.Accommodation options range from small inns to a few bigger resorts like Zao Shiki no Hotel, where guests can choose between traditional Japanese or Western-style rooms.
The best time to see the monsters is late January to early March, before the spring warmth seeps in. From January 27 to March 4 the cable cars run from 8:30 a.m. until 9 p.m for those wanting to see the snow monsters illuminated at night. The easiest way to get to Zao Onsen is by train and bus. Bullet trains run direct from Tokyo to Yamagata Station throughout the day. The ride takes just over 2.5 hours. Some resorts offer pickups direct from Yamagata Station, which is about 16 kilometers away. Otherwise, buses depart every hour for Zao Onsen and the journey takes about 40 minutes. At Yamagata Station, follow the signs to the main exit and take a left to the bus station, which is part of the same building. 
For more info on the snow monsters and access, visit zaoropeway.co.jp.
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