Niseko Village’s New Gondola: What It Means for Your Next Winter Holiday
If Niseko is on your winter travel wishlist, there’s a new reason to get excited.
Starting from Winter 2026, Niseko Village will welcome a brand-new gondola that promises to make getting up the mountain faster, more comfortable, and a whole lot more enjoyable. While new lifts might not sound like the most exciting news at first, this upgrade is actually set to make a real difference to your ski holiday.
Whether it’s your first trip to Niseko or you’ve been chasing its famous powder for years, here’s what you can look forward to.
Say Goodbye to the Old Chairlift
For over 40 years, the Mori-no Chairlift has been part of the Niseko Village experience. Now, it’s time for something new.
The upcoming Mori-no Gondola will replace the long-serving chairlift with spacious enclosed cabins that can carry twice as many guests. This means shorter queues during busy periods and more time doing what you came here for, skiing and snowboarding.
Because the cabins are fully enclosed, guests can stay warm and sheltered from Niseko’s snowy winter conditions while enjoying the ride uphill. It is a simple improvement that will make those early morning starts much more comfortable.
The Ride Up Is About to Get a Lot More Fun
Getting to the top of the mountain is becoming part of the adventure.
The new gondola will feature 86 cabins, including four VIP cabins fitted with tables where guests can sit back and relax while enjoying the surrounding mountain scenery. Even more exciting are two glass floor cabins that allow riders to look directly down onto the snow covered landscape below.
It’s the kind of experience that makes you want to keep your camera ready before you’ve even clipped into your skis.
Designed for Niseko’s Famous Winters
Anyone who’s visited Niseko knows that the weather can change quickly. Heavy snowfall is one of the reasons people travel from around the world to ski here, but it can also affect mountain operations.
That’s why the new gondola has been designed in two stages with an intermediate station. This allows the lower section to continue operating even if weather conditions higher up the mountain become challenging.
The first section is expected to open in December 2026, taking guests from the base to the middle station. The second stage, planned for December 2027, will complete the journey to the summit with a seamless ride all the way to the top.
More Upgrades Across the Resort
The improvements don’t stop with the gondola.
Niseko Village is also replacing the Wonderland Chairlift with modern two-person lifts, making it easier to move around the resort and access different areas of the mountain.
Together, these upgrades are designed to improve the overall flow of the resort, helping guests spend less time waiting and more time enjoying the snow.
Looking After the Mountain, Too
One of the best things about this project is that it’s not just about improving the guest experience.
Instead of expanding into new areas, Niseko Village is replacing five older lifts with two modern gondola lines and a new chairlift. This approach helps minimise the impact on the surrounding landscape while upgrading the resort for the future.
It’s a thoughtful investment that balances better infrastructure with preserving the natural beauty that makes Niseko so special.
Why It Matters for Your Next Ski Holiday
At the end of the day, a great ski trip is about more than just the snow. It is about the entire experience.
Shorter lift lines, warmer rides, better mountain access, and exciting additions like glass floor cabins all combine to create a smoother and more memorable holiday.
If you’re planning a Niseko ski holiday in the coming years, Winter 2026/27 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting seasons yet.
For visitors looking to stay close to the action while enjoying spacious apartment-style accommodation, SnowDog Village offers an ideal base. Located within easy reach of Niseko Village, guests can enjoy convenient access to the slopes while retreating to comfortable self-contained accommodation in a peaceful alpine setting.
As Niseko continues to invest in world-class infrastructure, there has never been a better time to start planning your next winter escape.
Stay close to Niseko Village this winter at SnowDog Village, offering spacious apartments, pet friendly accommodation, and convenient access to Niseko’s world class ski resorts.
