Good morning from Zao.

A cloudy morning here and mild conditions.

Snow melt continues here with things getting thinner on the ground and officially less than 1m at all points on the mountain. With just over 2 weeks to go until the end of Golden Week, will the ski runs be able to remain open? They're still planning on it, even if things will be rather limited. Let's see how the weather goes over the next week or so...

The Zao Echo Line road opens today, connecting us here in Yamagata with our friends over in Miyagi Prefecture and allowing folk to visit Zao from the east.

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Zao Onsen plans to be open daily until Sunday 7th May.

Next report due after the weekend.

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Official snow depths (as published by the resort):
Summit - 80cm
Paradise - 90cm
Chuo - 90cm
Utopia - 90cm
Uwanodai - 50cm
Yokokura - 30cm

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Planned closing dates for lifts at Zao Onsen - subject to change due to snow conditions:

Operating until Sunday 7th May:
- Chuo Number 1 pair AB
- Chuo Number 2 pair AB (** only on holidays **)
- Utopia Number 2 pair

Open all year (* for sightseeing):
- Sky Cable
- Chuo Ropeway
- Zao Ropeway

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All other ski lifts at Zao Onsen are now closed for the season.