Niseko Village has invested in a major lift infrastructure upgrade that promises to get skiers up the mountain faster, more comfortably and in a wider range of weather conditions this coming winter.
From December 2026, Hokkaido’s Niseko Village will launch new eight-seater gondolas, doubling the current capacity while providing a warmer and smoother ride.
The two new mori-no gondola lines replace the traditional mori-no chair, which has been serving skiers since the early 1980s, transporting up to 1,000 passengers per hour.
The gondola is divided into two sections with an intermediate station and is touted to still operate “even when summit conditions grow severe” according to statement from the resort.
Among its 86 cabins, four VIP options offer tables for light dining, alongside two glass-floor cabin options.
The mori-no gondola will be completed in two phases.
When the first section is completed in December 2026, guests will be able to ride from base to the intermediate station.
The next section will be completed a year later. allowing guests to go straight to the summit. Guests can choose to disembark at the intermediate station or continue upwards, in accordance to snow quality, weather, and personal skill level.
The new and old gondola systems.
Another improvement to reduce wait times is the upgrade of the existing wonderland chairlift from single to two-person lifts.
The upgrades will serve the village’s ecosystem of six accommodations, including the Moxy Niseko Village slated to open this September.