Yamagata Travel in mid-February 2011

Hi,
I will be travelling to Tohuku this winter season in Feb 2011. I would like to ask:
1) Is it suitable to visit Yamadera Temple during the peak of winter? Is the 1000 steps up to the Mountain Temple too slippery to climb? What are the main halls that are opened and worth visiting?
2) I also plan to visit Mt. Zao-sen on the same day, is it possible before sunset at 4pm? I will be staying near Yamagata train station the night before and plan to depart to Yamadera station (20mins) and to the temple early in the morning (~7.30am). With all the climbing & sight-seeing around the temple vicinity, will I be able to return to Yamagata station by 12noon and take the 1hr train ride up to Zao-san plus the ropeway to the mountain top?
3) I also do plan to stay at the foot of the mountain at Zao-san but will it be too expensive? Any recommendations for between (10000- max.15000 yen) that includes good Zao beef hotpot + breakfast & onsen?
Thanks!

Is it suitable to visit Yamadera Temple during the peak of winter?

It is open around the year.

Is the 1000 steps up to the Mountain Temple too slippery to climb?

No. But you might want to bring some good, non-slippery shoes.

What are the main halls that are opened and worth visiting?

The temple operates as usual. Most halls cannot be entered by visitors around the year.

I also plan to visit Mt. Zao-sen on the same day, is it possible before sunset at 4pm? I will be staying near Yamagata train station the night before and plan to depart to Yamadera station (20mins) and to the temple early in the morning (~7.30am).

That should be no problem. Most people takes only about one hour to explore Yamadera. You could be back in Yamagata before noon, from where it is less than an hour by bus to Zao.

To aid people climbing up the steps in Yama-dera during winter time, at the foot of the temple are free walking sticks and straws to tie around the shoes so that there is more friction when walking on snow/ice. Arriving early will ensure that they are still available.

Time-wise you should be OK, but note that from Yamagata you don't take the train but instead a 40-45 min bus to Zao Onsen. If you are going for the Juhyo snow monsters, from Zao bus station, it's about 10 min walk to the Sanroku ropeway station and then another 15-20 min ride up the ropeway (in 2 parts) to the top Jizo Sancho station.

bus schedule between Yamagata ŽRŒ` and Zao Onsen åU‰¤‰·�ò:
http://www.yamakobus.co.jp/rosenbus/jikoku/frame/fra_sheet016.html

Zao Onsen accommodation:
http://www.zao-spa.or.jp/syukuhaku

Hi Uji and William,
Thank you so much for your valuable advise. At least I can look forward to visit both Yamedera Temple & Mt. Zao on the same day in Feb 2011.

William,
By any chance do you have the train schedules and Zao-san accomodation in English language? Thank you.

You can look up train schedules and fares here:
http://www.hyperdia.com/

If you are looking for the Yama-dera to Yamagata train schedule for Feb 2011, here is what I find:
http://www.hyperdia.com/classic_en/hyperWeb.cgi?H_CMD=SHOW_TRAIN_DIA&D...
To be absolutely accurate, do a search when it comes to the time of your travel.

We didn't stay overnight in Zao Onsen, we went there early in the morning from Yamagata and bedded down in Ginzan Onsen for the night. The following are some English booking websites that have lists of accommodation in Zao Onsen:
http://travel.rakuten.co.jp/group/tiku_en/03japanyamagatayamagata.html
http://www.japanican.com/hotels/List.aspx?sn=1&rn=1&pn=2&prto=&tar=A02...
http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/db/yamagata/index.htm

I read it in another forum thread that the bus operations between Yamagata - Zao Onsen do not work on Sundays? Is this true?

I read it in another forum thread that the bus operations between Yamagata - Zao Onsen do not work on Sundays? Is this true?

No, it is not true!

I visited Yamadera in the middle of February last year and they had gum boots to give you to climb the stairs
But there wasn't many big sizes for big western feet so you will have to be lucky