Niseko Village will replace two ageing chairlifts with a new eight-person gondola, doubling capacity on a key section of the mountain and supporting plans for broader year-round use.
Niseko Village is set to install a new eight-person gondola as part of a major upgrade to mountain access at Niseko Village Ski Resort in Niseko, Hokkaido.
The new lift, to be known as the New Forest Gondola, will replace two ageing two-person chairlifts that have been operating for more than 40 years. Once completed, it will connect two sections of the mountain directly and double transport capacity on that route.
The gondola will run for a total length of around two kilometres, linking the mountain base with an elevation of 930 metres in around nine minutes. Capacity is planned at 2,400 passengers per hour.
The project will be completed in two stages. The first section, running from the base station to an intermediate station at 670 metres, is scheduled to begin operations in December 2026. The second section, from the intermediate station to the upper station at 930 metres, is due to open in December 2027.
Niseko Village also plans to make the experience appealing beyond skiers alone. Of the 86 gondola cabins, four will be configured as VIP cabins with tables for light refreshments, while two will feature glass floors as “Sky View Cabins”, designed to let passengers enjoy the scenery in a more immersive way.
The resort’s existing Niseko Gondola, which already runs directly to around 970 metres, will continue operating. In addition, the Wonderland Chair, which links the gondola station with the upper mountain area, is scheduled to be upgraded from a single chair to a two-person chairlift in December 2027, increasing transport capacity by around 1.7 times.
Niseko Village says it is also considering year-round operation for the new gondola from 2028 onwards, as part of a wider push to strengthen its position as an all-season mountain resort.
The project is another sign of continued investment in Niseko’s lift infrastructure as the area looks to improve mountain access, guest experience and non-ski tourism appeal.