179 replies to this topic

[ILoveZao]

Hello.

Here are some recent photo from Zao in Yamagata.

I will share more photos every so often.

[golf74]

Awesome shots there. Not surprised that you love Zao!

[Zaoman]

Nice pics, ILoveZao

I do too!

[scouser]

I really NEED to go there.

[oblivion]

If I win a ticket this week......

[MikePow]

Brilliant.

Keep 'em coming please

[Black Mountain]

So the pictures look great... but how is the mountain?

[iiyamadude]

Nice one ILoveZao.
Interesting looking place Zao.

[ILoveZao]

Thank you, I will post regularly.

How is the mountain? What do you mean by it? (My English is not perfect, sorry!)

[Black Mountain]

Sorry, kind of a vague question. Was just wondering what the terrain is like. I've heard that the scenery is beautiful but the mountain is not very challenging. Is it true?

[thursday]

those are excellent photos. The top one: the emperor surveys his teracotta warriors.

[SKI]

Lots of reviews on SnowJapan here.

I like Zao. It isn't the most challenging of places so if thats what you are after other places are better.

Great pics btw.

[SKI]

The onsen are great too btw

[Black Mountain]

Thanks SKI, I've had a look through most of the reviews on this site but it's hard to get a really good feel for a place without being able to ask questions. I'm not really a snow snob and if it's fresh I'm fine with almost any terrain... Is it the kind of place that you would spend a weekend, long weekend or week? Is it rather varied or does it offer pretty similar runs? I don't want to base a decision on going there with only the reviews I've read... otherwise, I probably won't do (seeing as most of the reviews are rather negative!)

[SKI]

I know what you mean Black Mountain, no worries. Just showing you in case you hadn't read them.

For me, I want to stay a night or two in Zao. The village is good, great onsen, nice little place. As others say the views are quite unique there. Time it well with the weather and you're in for a treat. I'd say the runs are fairly varied - but mostly in that beginner > intermediate range. There's the 'walking' needed that people complain about but it's not that bad, I have walked at many a skijo.

I think it's definitely worth a visit at least once.

Actually I will write my own review soon actually, that and a few other resorts. Perhaps we should all sit down and write a few for places we know - after all a lot of people read them and get their thoughts from there.

[SKI]

In that spirit, here's the links to submitting reviews

http://www.snowjapan.com/e/voice/submit_resort_review.php

For logged in members on the main site:

http://www.snowjapan.com/e/insider/member_resort_review.php

Let's reviewing.

[Black Mountain]

Originally Posted By: SKI

Actually I will write my own review soon actually, that and a few other resorts. Perhaps we should all sit down and write a few for places we know - after all a lot of people read them and get their thoughts from there.

That's a good idea. If there was a kind of 'review form' that we could fill out with rather specific questions I think it would benefit everyone.

Hope you find some snow this weekend! (or next time you go out!!)

[SJ-David]

Yes, please do remember to write a review for resorts you know if you get a bit of time.

SKI has posted the right links above.

The Resort Reviews get a lot of traffic, so it is good to have current ones up there.

Posting a review will go some way to helping other people who are in the situation you were in before you went.

Thank you!

[big-will]

That is a good idea. I think many people will have just forgotten about that. Like me.
SJ - perhaps reminding people in a bigger way is a good idea.

I will write a few myself soon.

[snowdude]

Never been to Zao, but definately want to go there sometime, looks awesome terrain and scenary.