Winter-exclusive Ice Feast: The Terrifying Zao Ice Monsters

Text by MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Department, compiled and reported
 
The silver-white winter always adds a touch of magical imagination to the earth. Every winter, Yamagata Prefecture in Japan, famous for its hot springs and skiing, gets blanketed in snow. Here, you can enjoy the dual thrill of cold and heat, and the unique rime ice formations born from the icy cold also amaze visitors.

The unique rime ice formations occur when supercooled water droplets in the bitter cold collide with and freeze on tree branches and leaves. When snow falls on these frozen parts, the ice and snow stick together and solidify. This process repeats continuously, eventually forming a white layer of ice. Zao Ski Resort in Yamagata Prefecture, where coniferous trees grow naturally, has the ideal terrain and climate conditions for rime formation. In the wind-swept area of Zao, the rime grows against the wind, forming pointed tips known as “shrimp tails.” Additionally, massive and numerous rime formations are sometimes referred to as “ice monsters.” Zao, originally developed as a ski area, is also a renowned destination where you can see rime ice without having to hike in winter.

To enjoy the rime ice scenery, taking a cable car, skiing, or riding a snowmobile are three of the most common experiences. Among them, viewing the Zao tree ice from a cable car is especially popular. Swinging in the cable car, you can gaze at the majestic rime, and in the evening, lights illuminate the area, allowing you to clearly see the vast landscape of ice monsters standing on the mountainside. Moreover, skiing or snowboarding while admiring the rime is a unique way to play that only a well-known ski resort like Zao can offer.