It's the last day of Golden Week and the last day of the ski and snowboard season in Zao Onsen. It's over five months since the first ski lifts of the season opened back at the end of November 2013.

Busy over the weekend in Zao. Of course, there's only limited upper areas remaining open now, so everyone's heading to the same place.

Some snowfall over the weekend, along with cold temperatures again. Felt a bit like winter!

Well, the snowfall hasn't dried up yet! Over 10cm of heavy snow outside this morning and temperatures remaining in the negative.

A few cm of snow at base here, though it's kind of heavy rather than light and fluffy.

10cm of fresh snow at base this morning. More on the mountain, surely. A good way to celebrate the lower ticket prices for spring as I mentioned in previous reports.

A few cm of snow from yesterday, but today the sun is out and it's going to be a beautiful blue sky day when the remaining clouds clear.

It is snowing in Zao this morning. Mild, but snowing. Poor visibility out on the mountain and some quite strong winds blowing at times.

The snow keeps on falling over Zao. 15cm yesterday and another 15cm today.

Yesterday was a beautiful day. Deep blue skies above the resort and everything was looking fantastic.

It is another really very cold morning here as winter almost seems to be tightening the grip on proceedings - we won't complain!

Brrrrrr, very cold this morning. Mid winter cold.

It is mild this morning in Zao, but some snow is falling.

5cm of fresh snow this morning. It's cloudy now, with some breaks in those clouds