Good morning from Zao and it's a windy one. Strong winds giving the trees a good old bit of exercise and more importantly affecting lift operations at the resort as well. It looks like at the time of writing the Zao Chuo Ropeway, Zao Ropeway and Kurohime quad are not moving because of the wind -- hopefully soon if the wind calms down a bit but looking at the forecast it might be tomorrow before that happens.

More lifts had their last day of the season yesterday and what remains open is noted below. You can still ski top to bottom.

Looks like the next few days, indeed the coming week, will generally be warm and sunny perhaps with a bit of rain here and there. No snow likely. Spring properly here now? Very possibly. We can't complain though and we have a month or so of the season left to enjoy what's still up there.

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Official snow depths (9th April 12)
Utopia - 245cm
Chuo - 240cm
Paradise - 245cm
Uwanodai - 150cm

Operating lifts (9th April 12)
Limited lifts now open - see below.

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Current planned lift operations at Zao, as of 9th April - subject to change:

Uwanodai Area
Sky Cable (open all year, but closed from 7th May for maintenance)

Chuo and Paradise Area
Zao Ropeway (open all year, but closed for maintenance 9th-25th April except Saturdays and Sundays)
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)

Yokokura and Utopia area
Zao Ropeway (open all year, closed for maintenance 7th-18th May)
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)