Hi there. Yes, you can just take the Ropeway up to the summit to see the Snow Monsters. It's 3000 yen return trip and I would suggest to go in the morning or early afternoon because the last ride back is at 4:15pm. The Ropeway you want to take is at Ski Slope 1.

Hi Sheila, if you want to ski then it is unlikely to be possible. Hit and miss as to snow at that time of year down to resort level. At higher elevations we had snow from the 1st November last year (photo in our FB Pension Brown posts - can't give you a link on Trip Advisor) if it's is scenes/photography that you are after. The chairlifts generally do not start to open until at least the 2nd week - areas opening will obviously depend upon snow cover. The Ropeways are open all year.

With kids, all level ski and while looking for attractions around, I would recommend Nozawa Onsen (Nagano prefecture). Splendid village with lots of restaurants and Onsen (by definition!). From Tokyo, you can use very reliable taxi service (chuotaxi). Those guys will take you directly from airports to your hotel: very easy and convenient.

Hi Mary, sorry for my late reply. Probably too late. If you go in May, snow season is over. You won't see the Monsters. Temperatures are now around 15C there. Best season for ski there is February.

蔵王に限らずですが、2月下旬と3月上旬では2月下旬の方が雪質は良いです。 ポンキッキだったかな？歌っていましたね。 「1月1番寒い月　2月一番雪が降る」って歌がありました。 雪質は1月＞2月＞3月なのは大抵のスキー場で言えることです。 ただし2月は歌にもあるように、最も雪が降る月で、 積雪がこの時期にMAXとなるスキー場は多いです。 3月上旬に蔵王に行ったことありますが、 中部～下部はガリガリでしたね。 本州最高峰の志賀高原に行ったときは、1月でも雨なのに、 4月1日で猛吹雪だったこともあります。 3月以降は特に天候、運次第で全然違いますね。 一般的には雪質は2月下旬＞3月上旬です。