Niseko Annupuri will fully rebuild its gondola, increasing capacity from 1,440 to 2,800 passengers per hour ahead of winter 2028.
Niseko Annupuri International Ski Area is set to fully rebuild its gondola, with operations on the new lift expected to begin in time for the 2028 winter season.
The announcement was made by Hokkaido Chuo Bus, whose group company operates the ski area in Niseko, Hokkaido. The project will replace the existing gondola, which was completed in 1985 and links the base station at around 400 metres elevation with the upper station at around 1,000 metres in roughly 10 minutes.
The current gondola has become increasingly outdated, and long wait times have become common during busy periods. The article notes that the existing six-person cabins are based on older specifications and are no longer well suited to current demand, particularly with larger international visitors and heavier peak-time traffic.
The new gondola will feature 10-person cabins, improved wind resistance and faster operation, cutting travel time by around 90 seconds. The base station will be expanded and the upper station rebuilt.
Once completed, carrying capacity is expected to rise from 1,440 passengers per hour to 2,800 passengers per hour, almost doubling the line’s transport performance. Construction could begin as early as 2027, though the total project cost has not yet been disclosed.
The upgrade is another sign of continued infrastructure investment across the Niseko area as resorts prepare for future demand and work to improve the mountain experience for both skiers and non-ski visitors.
It also follows other recent lift announcements in Japan’s leading resort markets, including planned gondola improvements at Niseko Village and Hakuba Happo-one, highlighting a broader push towards higher-capacity, more modern mountain infrastructure.