These are not your usual horror-film monsters. Snow monsters (called Juhyo in Japanese) are frosted-covered trees that resemble grotesque creatures. This winter phenomenon can be seen in very few places throughout Japan, including a popular ski resort in Mount Zao, a volcanic mountain located on the border between Yamagata and Miyagi Prefecture.

The ice monsters are formed due to heavy snowfall and freezing winds. They start appearing in mid-winter, normally toward the end of January.

Click on the slideshow above to see breathtaking footage of this winter event.  

(MORE ON WEATHER.COM: Stunning Photos of a Forest of 'Snow Monsters' in Japanese Mountains)