More blue skies over Niseko this morning and a really warm one this morning - I mean, warmer than it has been for sure. A 'thermometer at around 18 degrees at 9am' kind of warm! A moderate wind is forecast for most of the day.

This morning at Grand Hirafu they are saying that due to snow melt there are having to do some work moving snow around the lift so that they can open up - should be moving soon I would guess. The Triple lift seems to be moving slow this morning as well.

The Grand Hirafu gondola is taking another rest for today and tomorrow but should be open Thursday to Sunday for the second half of Golden Week and the last four days of the season.

Tomorrow we should have more sunny conditions but it's not looking like it will last to the end of the week with a good chance of rain Thursday and Friday as the forecast stands.

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Current lift operations (1st May 2012 @ 9am):

Grand Hirafu:
Ace Quad Lift No2
King Hooded Triple Lift #3
King Lift #4 [DELAYED OPENING]
The Hirafu Gondola open from 3rd May until 6th May.

Annupuri:
Annupuri Gondola
Jumbo No1 quad
Jumbo No4 pair

Niseko Village:
Gondola
Wonderland lift

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Grand Hirafu, Annupuri and Niseko Village plan to be open until 6th May.
The Hanazono area is now closed.

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Official snow depths:

Grand Hirafu:
Top - 250cm
Bottom - 20cm

Annupuri:
Top - 190cm
Bottom - 50cm