Start with the upper-mountain wind and cloud line. The headline number only helps once you know whether west to northwest flow off the Sea of Japan is the pattern to watch. With a 920 to 1820 metre elevation band and 900 metres of vertical, the bigger vertical gives you room to move higher when the lower runs soften. A seasonal baseline around 11 metres means moderate-looking totals can still refresh the main lines quickly. The swing variable is whether the upper lift can run with enough visibility to make the top worth using. With patrol boundaries in play, focus on how the inbounds snow will hold through the first half of the day. Chase it after a cold storm only if the wind eases; if the top is socked in, wait for the next clear window.
See which resorts in Yamagata are getting the best 24 hour totals and the next two days of snow.
