Zao Liza is in that crisp shoulder-season phase. Any white on the summits is more mood-setting than skiable base. A cold snap could whiten the tops, but it will not change the travel plan yet. Keep an eye on upper-elevation temperatures for the first proper base-building hints.
That makes Zao Liza the 4th snowiest of 13 Yamagata resorts we have reviewed.
Read the temperature trend beside the fresh-snow number. 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 1060 to 1446 metre elevation band and 386 metres of vertical, the gladed pockets are the first place to check once the groomers get tracked. A seasonal baseline around 10 metres means moderate-looking totals can still refresh the main lines quickly. The swing variable is storm timing, because an overnight finish skis very differently from an afternoon pulse. If you are looking beyond the ropes, only chase that angle when the forecast also shows settled wind and stable visibility. Chase it when the storm exits cold and calm; skip if the tail end turns wet or windy.
See which resorts in Yamagata are getting the best 24 hour totals and the next two days of snow.