After that clear day yesterday we have more cloud to start the day off here this morning in Zao, and it is noticeably warmer outside. Basically just cloudy but fairly bright and a few signs of the cloudy breaking. I can easily see the top of the resort from base.

Rain hopefully quickly turning into snow tomorrow morning, says the forecast, and then snowy conditions for the weekend and temps dip once again. Sunday and Monday looking like it will be back to feeling cold out there.

Anyway hopefully that snowfall on the forecast will come sooner than later for weekend visitors to enjoy. For today, spring conditions to enjoy.

Official snow depths (30th March 12)
Utopia - 250cm
Chuo - 220cm
Paradise - 235cm
Uwanodai - 160cm

Operating lifts (30th March 12)
All Ropeways (Skycable, Zao Chuo Ropeway, Zao Ropeway) operating.
Most lifts remain operating.
All the runs at Zao scheduled to be open.

Here is the latest information on planned lift operations at Zao this spring season - subject to change:

Uwanodai Area
Ski Cable - open all year but closed from 7th May for maintenance
Onsen No1 pair lift - until 8th April
Onsen No2 quad lift - until 8th April
Onsen No4 quad lift - until 1st April
Kokutai pair lift - now finished for season
Ryuzan pair - now finished for season
Karamatsu pair - now finished for season
Sunrise pair lift - until 1st April
Zao Ropeway - open all year (but closed for maintenance 9th-25th April except Saturdays and Sundays)
Nakamori No1 triple lift - until 1st April
Nakamori No2 pair lift - until 1st April

Chuo and Paradise Area
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)
Mikaeri pair lift - until 1st April
Diamond No1 pair lift - until 1st April
Diamond No2 pair lift - until 1st April
Paradise No1 pair lift - until 6th May (but only Sat/Sun from 9th April until 27th April)
Paradise No3 pair lift - now finished for season
Shobunuma No2 pair lift - until 8th April

Yokokura and Utopia area
Zao Ropeway - open all year (closed for maintenance 7th-18th May)
Yokokura No1 pair lift - until 8th April
Yokokura No2 pair lift - now closed for season
Astraea No1 pair lift - until 1st April
Astraea No2 pair lift - until 1st April
Astraea No3 pair lift - until 8th April
Utopia No1 pair lift - now closed for season
Utopia No2 pair lift - dependent on snow but latest until 6th May

Omori and Kurohime Area
Omori quad - until 1st April
Kurohime No1 quad - dependent on snow
Kurohime No2 quad - now closed for season