And sunny it is, this morning in Zao. It's about 5 degrees in the village (close to 0C up top) and there's a fairly strong wind blowing about.

So how about the weekend? Well, the latest forecast looks something like this - chance of rain/snow tomorrow and then clearer conditions on Sunday when it should be quite warm and perhaps a temperature into double figures.

A few lifts plan to re-open for the weekend - details below.

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Official snow depths (13th April 12)
Utopia - 210cm
Chuo - 215cm
Paradise - 215cm
Uwanodai - 135cm

Operating lifts (13th April 12)
Limited lifts now open - see below.

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Current planned lift operations at Zao, as of 13th April - subject to change:

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

Chuo and Paradise Area
Zao Chuo Ropeway (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)
Yokokura No1 pair lift until 15th 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)