Tohoku region ski areas are facing a severe snow shortage, worrying resort operators and others in the industry ahead of the busy holiday season.
The Zao Onsen Ski Resort in Yamagata Prefecture opened Dec. 6, but with many bare patches on its slopes. Usually, the area is crowded with eager skiers on opening day.
"This time last year, we had almost 170 cm of snow," resort employee Yoshiyuki Sato said. "It's nearly zero now."
Fukushima Prefecture has 25 ski areas, but many are expected to delay opening for the season, according to a local group of resort operators.
The Appi Kogen Snow Resort in Iwate Prefecture used snow-making machines to prepare for its opening Saturday.
According to the Sendai District Meteorological Observatory, the Tohoku region has yet to see its usual snowfall due partly to El Nino.
High pressure also made it hard for cold air to converge on the Tohoku region, the observatory said, forecasting the regular snowfall pattern will arrive later in the month.
