It's the weekend before Golden Week and we are less than two weeks away from the planned closing date (last day of Golden Week on 6th May).

Akakan is running the Myoko Sky Cable gondola from now until May 6, with restaurants open at the top.

Hirafu ski area appears to be reporting 'snow' up top, and just cloud down at base (which is what I observe).

As announced yesterday, today (Friday 24th April) is the last day of the ski/snowboard season here in Zao.

Some parts of Shiga Kogen actually got some snow yesterday/last night and I can see a slight dusting.

With Happo-one closing yesterday afternoon, just three ski areas remain part open from this morning.

A more cloudy kind of morning with some rain expected later in the day. We should be back to clearer skies tomorrow and Friday.

There has been an announcement...

A cloudy sort of morning but with some rain expected soon but not long-lasting. Forecasts seem mixed, actually.

Rain eased off yesterday but strong wind meant the ski area closed around 2pm. Not great!