Did I say perhaps decent snow overnight? I was almost thinking it was just a hope and it won't happen but I bring good news.... decent snow overnight! Yes, it might not be the coldest of mornings here in Zao, but we got a decent amount of snow - 20cm or so perhaps, though winds have been blowing it about - and it has eased off for all those early morning skiers and boarders out there.

It is mostly just cloudy at the moment with some snow falling higher up but the pattern set for clearing conditions as the day moves on. At the moment I can't see the top of the mountain from base as it is covered in cloud, so while decent visibility on the lower slopes it's poor up top at the moment.

There's has been fairly strong wind as well early on but all of the resort appears open this morning.

A women's World Cup Ski Jump event is being held at the ski jump in Zao at the moment, so lots of activity over there and it's always fun to watch people launch themselves off that thing!

Today and tomorrow children can get a ticket for the special low price of 1000 yen, so we can expect to see a lot of young ones out there this weekend.

Official snow depths (3rd March 12)
Utopia - 270cm
Chuo - 225cm
Paradise - 260cm
Uwanodai - 185cm

Operating lifts (3rd March 12)
All Ropeways (Skycable, Zao Chuo Ropeway, Zao Ropeway) operating.
All the runs at Zao are open.