Exploring Japan's spectacular 'snow monsters'

Zao Onsen, Japan (CNN) — As the cable car glides up the mountain in Japan's Yamagata prefecture, the snow-covered fir trees below begin to transform, taking on a bulkier appearance as their green coats disappear under a mass of white.
Soon they become unrecognizable, completely engulfed in fluffy piles of snow.
The volume in the car increases a few decibels. Passengers excitedly raise their voices, snowboards and skis scraping across the floor as riders shuffle to move into better viewing positions to take in the incredible landscape below.
It's a common reaction among those first encountering the legendary "snow monsters" of Zao Onsen -- or "juhyo" in Japanese.
The excitement intensifies when passengers exit the tram and set out to explore the mysterious figures up close -- some on foot, others clutching their riding gear, ready to glide through the monsters as they make their way down the mountain.

Do you want to build a snowman, Tim?
The juhyo phenomenon is the result of some pretty harsh weather systems.
As notoriously heavy winter storms rush though the Zao Mountain Range, blown in by a Siberian jet stream, trees on the upper sections of some peaks begin to collect thick, juicy layers of snow and ice.
The trees are eventually frozen into the fascinating forms that have turned this small village into a popular winter destination.
Much like staring into the clouds, part of the fun of exploring Zao's snow monsters includes playing the old "what do you see" game -- a snowy version of the Rorschach test.
The covered trees stand defiantly, bearing poses resembling everything from a cougar frozen mid-roar to a white witch pointing her long bony finger into the blue sky on the horizon.
Many are grotesquely beautiful, deserving of a role in a Tim Burton film.

Source: cnn