Zaō Ropeway
# Zaō Ropeway

The Zaō Ropeway (蔵王ロープウェイ, Zaō Rōpuwei) is the name of Japanese aerial lift system, as well as its operator. The route, consisting of two lines, climbs Mount Zaō at Zaō Onsen, Yamagata, Yamagata. The lines transport skiers of Yamagata Zao Onsen Ski Resort and rime spectators in winter, tourists and mountain climbers in summer.

Sanroku Line (山麓線, Sanroku-sen, "Submontane Line") is an aerial tramway between Zaō-Sanroku (蔵王山麓, "The Foot of Mount Zaō") and Juhyō-Kōgen (樹氷高原, "Rime Highland"), the cable length 1,734 metres (5,689 ft). Sanchō Line (山頂線, Sanchō-sen, "Summit Line") is a funitel gondola lift between Juhyō-Kōgen and Zaō-Jizō-Sanchō (蔵王地蔵山頂, "Mount Zaō Jizō Summit"), the length 1,872 m (6,142 ft). Refurbished in 2003, Sanchō Line is the third funitel line to be introduced in Japan, or the first for Japanese ski resorts. The two lines are fairy crowded in winter, but skiers tend to use other chairlifts to reach Juhyō-Kōgen. From Juhyō-Kōgen, only Sanchō Line can reach the summit.

