Niseko & Hakuba Debut State-of-the-Art Gondolas For 2024-25 Ski Season

Two iconic ski resorts, Niseko Hirafu and Hakuba Iwatake, are introducing brand new gondolas, promising to enhance the visitor experience and modernize the Japanese ski scene.

Niseko, located in the Japanese northern prefecture of Hokkaido and renowned for its top quality powder snow, will introduce a new Hirafu gondola on November 30, 2024. Replacing the historic Ace Quad Lift #2 Center 4, the new gondola boasts spacious 10-person cabins, transporting 2,800 people per hour to the top, notably increasing capacity compared to its predecessor. In terms of speed, it runs at 6 meters per second, 1.5 times faster than the old lift. Other upgrades include Wi-Fi connectivity, heated synthetic leather seats, and indoor ski and snowboard racks. Additionally, two feature cabins, with a skeleton underfoot design, offer 360° views of the surrounding mountains, providing riders with a unique and scenic experience.

Hakuba's New Iwatake Gondola

In Hakuba, Iwatake Resort is undergoing a significant transformation, with plans to develop an international hotel in its base area and the recent installation of a new gondola lift that is set to open on December 20, 2024. This cutting-edge lift, solidifying its status as a world-class mountain resort, will offer increased comfort and beautiful panoramic views of the Japanese Alps mountain range. The new Iwatake gondola features spacious cabins that can accommodate up to 10 passengers as well as ample space for gear. It also offers faster travel times to the summit, allowing visitors to spend more time enjoying the slopes.

Experience the New Gondola Lifts in the midst of Incredible La Niña Snow Conditions!!!

There has been a lot of buzz around whether the 2024-25 Japan ski season would emerge as a La Niña winter, associated with above average snowfall and excellent conditions for skiing and snowboarding, or whether ENSO-Neutral conditions would continue. On 11th November, the latest update from the Japan Meteorological Agency heralded mixed news. While there is only a 40% chance of a true La Niña winter, NINO.3 SST will likely be below normal going into winter, and will rise by Spring. This could spell great news for the key winter months across Japan ski resorts, with a fantastic chance that snowfall will be above average, and powder snow conditions will be exceptional, even by Japan's standards!

So far, early snow on the ground has fueled excitement, with Autumnal snow across Hokkaido adding to a feeling of anticipation for what lies ahead.