The festival did take place last night with snow falling all around us - the stormy conditions didn't spoil things and it went ahead as did the fireworks.

So yes, new snowfall. There's at least 15cm of fresh overnight giving the mountain a good refresh for this morning.

It's a cold start to the day and just cloudy conditions now with the snow easing off. Snowfall on and off for the day forecast though and as I look out it's another day of limited visibility.

Similar conditions on the local forecast for tomorrow.

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Official snow depths (Sunday 1st January 15):

Utopia: 190cm
Chuo: 200cm
Paradise: 200cm
Uwanodai: 150cm

Zao Onsen is fully open (though note that the Karamatsu pair lift is closed on weekdays).

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Night skiing operations at Zao this season

Uwanodai area:
Daily until 22nd March

Yokokura area:
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from until 15th March

Open times from 5pm until 9pm.

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Juhyo 'Ice Monsters' Light Up night time ropeway operations

Every evening now until 28th February

Operating from 5pm until 9pm; last ropeway up at 7:50pm.
In the event of poor weather conditions, operations are sometimes cancelled.