Helicopter traffic has risen considerably since the former public heliport returned to regular use in 2024, although Niseko’s winter weather continues to make reliable operations difficult.
Niseko Heliport is attracting a growing number of private and chartered flights two years after being revived by a local private operator, providing another potential gateway for visitors travelling to the resort.
The heliport recorded 49 arrivals carrying a total of 97 passengers during the 2025 financial year, compared with 12 arrivals and 41 passengers during its first year following reopening in April 2024.
Flights have included privately owned and chartered helicopters used by wealthy visitors, as well as medical helicopters and aircraft carrying out infrastructure inspections. The heliport does not operate charter services itself, with passengers instead arranging flights through independent aviation companies.
One operator currently advertises charter prices of approximately ¥1.3 million between New Chitose Airport and Niseko and almost ¥1.39 million between Hakodate Airport and Niseko.
A privately led revival
Niseko Heliport opened in December 1991 as Hokkaido’s third public-use heliport. It was originally expected to support agricultural activity, sightseeing flights and other aviation services, but demand remained limited and the ageing facility was removed from public use by Niseko Town in 2018.
The site continued to be available for emergencies, including medical and rescue operations, but was otherwise largely inactive.
Its revival was led by local businessman and aviation enthusiast Ben Kerr, who approached Niseko Town after receiving enquiries from private and charter helicopter operators looking for somewhere to land close to the resort.
Kerr had previously established a 350-metre grass airstrip at Niseko Green Farm near Hirafu, where he has operated private light aircraft since receiving approval in 2019. However, the growing number of requests from helicopters encouraged him to explore whether the larger former public heliport, located approximately six kilometres away, could be returned to regular use.
The heliport was reopened in April 2024 after being leased from Niseko Town under an annual rent of approximately ¥800,000.
Further information about operations, landing arrangements and facilities is available through the official Niseko Heliport website.
Winter remains the greatest challenge
Demand for helicopter access is naturally strongest during Niseko’s winter season, when the resort receives many of its wealthiest international visitors. However, the same weather that produces Niseko’s deep snowfall also makes helicopter operations difficult and frequently unpredictable.
The heliport received 18 reservations in January 2026, but eight were cancelled because of unsuitable weather conditions.
Kerr told the Hokkaido Shimbun that demand had continued to grow, but acknowledged that winter operations had proved particularly challenging.
This is likely to limit the heliport’s ability to function as a consistently reliable alternative to road transfers from New Chitose Airport. While a helicopter can reduce the journey considerably when conditions allow, winter passengers will still need contingency arrangements in case flights cannot operate.
Summer use may therefore become an increasingly important part of the heliport’s business. Hokkaido’s generally clearer summer conditions could support sightseeing flights, private aviation and faster connections for visitors travelling between Niseko, Sapporo, New Chitose Airport, Hakodate and other parts of the island.
Plans for improved facilities
Current landing fees are ¥5,000 per arrival outside winter and ¥9,000 during the winter season, while parking costs ¥9,000 for a period of up to 24 hours.
Kerr is now considering improvements to the facilities, including the creation of a passenger lounge. He also hopes the site can eventually sell local Niseko products and provide visitor information, allowing it to operate as more than a basic arrival point.
The growth in traffic remains modest when compared with a commercial airport, but the revival offers another example of Niseko’s tourism infrastructure adapting to the changing profile of its visitors.
For a destination attracting an increasing number of luxury hotels, branded residences and high-value property buyers, direct helicopter access has an obvious appeal. The challenge will be turning that demand into a safe and dependable service in a location where winter weather can change rapidly.
Source: Hokkaido Shimbun (Japanese only, paywalled)