Another cold morning in the village but no new snow and hardly any wind. There is still quite a bit of cloud up there but it is bright and some blue sky as well. Quite similar to how things were yesterday actually.

From tomorrow night look for snow, cold temperatures and strong windy conditions for the following few days.

So from today less of the ski resort is open as many of the lifts close for the season. You can still ski from top to bottom though, with the main 'remaining open' area being the upper part of the resort - still a considerable area and still lots of snow out there. The upper slopes are due to remain open until 6th May.

Planned lifts operating are shown below.

Current lift operations at Zao, as of 2nd April - subject to change:

Uwanodai Area
Sky Cable (open all year, but closed from 7th May for maintenance)
Onsen No1 pair lift (until 8th April)
Onsen No2 quad lift (until 8th April)
Zao Ropeway (open all year, but closed for maintenance 9th-25th April except Saturdays and Sundays)

Chuo and Paradise Area
Chuo No1 pair lift (until 6th May, but only Sat/Sun from 9th April until 27th April)
Chuo No2 pair lift (until 6th May)
Katakai triple lift (until 6th May, but only Sat/Sun from 9th April until 27th April)
Paradise No1 pair lift (until 6th May (but only Sat/Sun from 9th April until 27th April)
Shobunuma No2 pair lift (until 8th April)

Yokokura and Utopia area
Zao Ropeway (open all year, closed for maintenance 7th-18th May)
Yokokura No1 pair lift (until 8th April)
Astraea No3 pair lift (until 8th April)
Utopia No2 pair lift (dependent on snow but latest until 6th May)

Omori and Kurohime Area
Kurohime No1 quad (no fixed closing date, dependent on snow)

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Official snow depths (2nd April 12)
Utopia - 240cm
Chuo - 220cm
Paradise - 230cm
Uwanodai - 150cm

Operating lifts (2nd April 12)
All Ropeways (Skycable, Zao Chuo Ropeway, Zao Ropeway) operating.
Part of the resort remains open - see above.