Japan’s leading resort of Niseko will see two new quad chairlifts open this December in two of its sectors. Both will especially benefit beginner skiers, but there are advantages for more advanced skiers too.
Firstly Tokyu Resort Services have announced an exciting development to Grand Hirafu’s Ace Family Pair lift for December 2017 which will greatly benefit Niseko’s beginner skiers and snowboarders together with anybody staying in Niseko accommodation close to this key central Hirafu Village ski lift.
The Ace Family Pair lift, which was under increasing strain due to the emergence of new central Hirafu accommodation in recent years, will be replaced by a high-speed quad lift. With double the per hour lift capacity predicted, peak time queues at the base of the Family lift will be greatly reduced.
The base of the new lift will be located 10 metres further up the mountain providing a great deal more space for Hirafu ski schools at the bottom of the Family run and a more comfortable viewing atmosphere.
The exit point of the lift will be located 250 metres higher up the mountain giving Niseko’s beginner skiers and snowboarders access to the green Sennoki run and a longer ski to base.
Advanced skiers and boarders will also benefit with smoother transition from the Niseko United summit to the Dot Base Ski Center and Hirafu’s main parking lot.
“The new Family run lift will be more comfortable and easy to get on and off with greater deceleration speeds. All in all, a much welcomed improvement to Niseko United Resort’s Grand Hirafu lift system!” said a spokesperson from specialist tour operator Japan Ski Experience.
In addition Niseko Annupuri International Ski Resort has announced the construction of a new ski lift – the Dream Quad Lift #1 – specifically for beginner skiers and snowboarders.
The new lift will be built at the bottom of Annupuri Gondola and will also be complete in December 2017. The lift will be 433 metres long.
