Niseko Village, the Hokkaido resort operated by YTL Hotels, has confirmed a major overhaul of its lift network for winter 2026, replacing a chairlift that has served the mountain since the early 1980s with a modern gondola built to keep running in the harshest conditions.

For UK business travellers who tack a ski weekend onto a Tokyo or Osaka trip, or for SMEs weighing up Japan as an incentive destination, the upgrade addresses one of the few practical frustrations at Japan’s best-known powder resort, namely queues and weather-related lift closures during the peak season. The new system is designed to operate even when conditions at higher elevations deteriorate, a meaningful reassurance for anyone skiing to a fixed itinerary.

What is changing on the mountain

The centrepiece is the new Mori-no Gondola, which replaces the veteran Mori-no Chair and will more than double uplift capacity. The line is split into two sections around an intermediate station, and its enclosed cabins are intended to keep passengers warm on the ride up rather than exposed to Hokkaido’s notoriously heavy snowfall.

Of the 86 cabins, four will be VIP units fitted with tables for light dining, while two will have glass floors, giving passengers a straight-down view of the snowbound terrain beneath them. The resort’s Wonderland Chair is also being upgraded from a single-seat lift to a two-person chairlift, which should improve circulation around the mountain and cut waiting times further.

There is an environmental case too. By swapping five ageing lift systems for two gondola lines and one new chairlift, the resort says it will shrink its construction footprint while protecting the character of the mountain.

“With these new gondolas, Niseko Village offers not just improved access, but an entirely new way to experience the mountain – combining comfort, style and sustainability,” said Shiau Wee Long, chief executive officer of Niseko Village.

A two-winter timeline

The rollout is phased. The first section opens in December 2026, carrying guests from the base area to the intermediate station. From December 2027, when the second section is complete, the gondola will run from base to summit with no cabin change, and passengers can choose to get off at the intermediate station or carry on to the top depending on snow, weather and ability.

Full details of the resort and its lift network are on the official Niseko Village website.

Planning a trip from the UK

The timing matters for anyone building a Japan programme. Interest in the country is already surging, and 2026 is being talked about as the last chance to visit Japan before the tourism boom reshapes the visitor experience, so a capacity boost at Niseko arrives at a useful moment. The resort’s accommodation options have been expanding as well, as we reported when a new luxury hideaway opened in Japan’s ski heartland.

For SMEs organising incentive trips or bleisure extensions, tools such as WeSki’s AI-powered ski trip planner can simplify the booking legwork, and travellers should check the latest gov.uk Japan travel advice on entry requirements before committing budgets. With the first phase opening in December 2026, next winter looks a sensible target for a first visit, with the full base-to-summit experience following a year later.