After a few days of colder conditions, it's much warmer this Friday morning. About 8 degrees. Some blue sky earlier but it has clouded somewhat since then with a moderate wind blowing. The resort is saying that some lifts may be affected by the wind this morning and it looks like the Zao Chuo Ropeway is stopped as I write this, but the Sky Cable and Zao Ropeways are operating as normal. That may change of course with the conditions.

Tomorrow forecasts seem a bit mixed. Rain seems to be the main thing, but some say there might be some snow falling too especially in upper areas. Sunday has a much better chance of clearer skies and warmer temperatures too...

---

Official snow depths (Friday 10th April 15):

Utopia: 160cm
Chuo: 160cm
Paradise: 150cm
Uwanodai: 60cm

---

Planned lift operating dates and closing dates

Subject to change. This is what the plans are for the lifts that remain operating at Zao Onsen:

Until Sunday 12th April
Yokokura Number 1 Pair AB

Until Sunday 19th April
Kurohime Number 1 Quad

Until Wednesday 6th May
Chuo Number 1 Pair AB
Chuo Number 2 Pair AB
Katakai Triple (* from now only on holidays and Golden Week)
Paradise Pair AB (* from now only on holidays and Golden Week)
Utopia Number 2 Pair (depending on snow conditions)

---

Operating through the year (for general tourism outside of snow season)
Sky Cable
Chuo Ropeway
Zao Ropeway

---

Last day of the snow season currently planned for Wednesday 6th May.