Travel

Where In The World Are ... The 'Snow Monsters'?

Somewhere in the world, you'll find a hill full of strange, frozen "snow monsters" this time of year. Learn where, and what causes them.

The frost covered trees, called "Snow monsters in Zao Onsen, view from the top station of the ropeway — (Taiwan Nans0410/Getty Images)

Somewhere in the world, winter transforms a mountainside into an entire army of ghostly white giants.

These aren't sculptures carved by human hands; they're trees completely encased in thick layers of ice and snow, twisted into otherworldly shapes that locals have dubbed "snow monsters." Some stand 30 feet tall, resembling everything from enormous white bears to alien creatures frozen midstride.

Area folklore tells of mountain spirits called that inhabit these frozen forms, protecting the mountain from intruders who dare venture into their icy domain during the harshest winter months.

Can you guess where in the world this happens?

Cablecar and chairlifts at Zao Onsen ski resort in Japan — (WhitcombeRD/Getty Images)

The formation of these creatures requires perfect conditions that occur in only a few places on Earth. Strong winter winds carry moisture-laden air up the mountain slopes, where it instantly freezes onto the branches of Maries' fir trees.

Layer upon layer of rime ice accumulates over weeks and months, completely obscuring the original tree shape and creating bulbous, alienlike forms. The wind sculpts each "monster" differently, ensuring that no two are exactly alike in their frozen poses.

This natural phenomenon, known as "juhyo" in the local language, occurs when specific weather patterns combine: consistent subzero temperatures, heavy snowfall and strong winds that blow from the same direction for extended periods of time. The trees must also be the right species and size to provide the framework for these massive ice accumulations.

OK, have you made your guess?

These snow monsters appear each winter from December through February on Japan's Mount Zao. Tourists travel from all over the world to ride cable cars that take them above this seasonal spectacle.

Would you like to visit Mount Zao's Snow Monsters? Let us know in the comments!