I can see some small patches of blue sky up there at times, but it is generally a cloudy morning here in Niseko. Visibility is considerably better than yesterday though when it really was poor up on the mountain.

In addition to the normal planned lift operations, today at Grand Hirafu the Ace Family lift is also operating from 9am until 2pm - I believe that this is due to student trips at the moment, but anyone with a lift ticket for the resort can use the lift today.

From tomorrow onwards through the weekend we can expect settled conditions. Some cloud, some sun - the forecast for the weekend in particular is clear and sunny with temperatures rising into double digits. After that, it might get slightly colder again from Monday bringing with it some rain and wind.

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Current lift operations (18th April 2012):

Grand Hirafu & Hanazono:
Ace Quad Lift No2
King Hooded Triple Lift #3
King Lift #4
The Hirafu Gondola will operate on 21st, 22nd, 28th, 29th, 30th April, and also from 3rd May until 6th May.

Annupuri:
Annupuri Gondola
Jumbo No1 quad
Jumbo No3 pair
Jumbo No4 pair

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Grand Hirafu and Annupuri both plan to be open until 6th May.
The Hanazono and Niseko Village areas are now closed.
Niseko Village plans to re-open for the Golden Week holiday period from Sunday 29th April until Sunday 6th May.

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Official snow depths:

Grand Hirafu:
Top - 365cm
Bottom - 120cm

Annupuri:
Top - 370cm
Bottom - 130cm