STEEP conducted a lift ticket giveaway campaign/reader survey last December. The second part is a ranking of "Favorite lifts and gondolas you want to ride again and again!" We introduce the popular lifts and enjoyable courses determined by readers' votes. (Click here )
No. 1 | Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Resort Sunrise Express
The Sunrise Express, the world's most advanced combination lift, opened at Ishiuchi Maruyama in 2018 and boasts a "first-class ride," connecting the base of the mountain to the middle of the mountain in one go. This combined lift combines a 10-person gondola cabin and a 6-person chairlift on the same line, allowing even beginners and non-skiers to comfortably access spectacular scenic spots in the heated gondola cabin. Enjoy the magnificent snowy scenery overlooking the Uonuma Plain and the Echigo Sanzan mountains
If you take the Sunrise Express, you can enjoy 18 of the 27 runs, excluding the 9 in the summit area. We recommend starting with the dynamic runs, where you can enjoy powder on wide runs. After getting off the Sunrise Express, head to the left and enter from the Sunrise Line or Ginza slopes. These runs have wide, open runs where you can enjoy plenty of natural snow (black diamonds 16 and 17 on the map above). Located at the bottom of the ski resort, these runs are little-known, with less competition and a higher chance of remaining powder
And above all, there's the "SSP" snow park, which boasts one of the most comprehensive snow parks in Japan. Located in a location where you can drop in immediately after getting off the Sunrise Express, the slopestyle park allows you to create endless lines all day long on the highly maneuverable Sunrise Express.
Check out local rider Hoshino Kouga and Yohei Niwano, a park digger from Ishiuchi Maruyama and a rider on the DRAGON team, cruising the park!
[Thoughts and reasons for voting]
"I was moved!"
"The seats were soft and warm and the ride was amazing."
was easy to get on and off.
" "It was fun being led to the boarding area by the conveyor."
"The combination of a lift and a gondola was interesting."
[Lift specifications]
Capacity: 10 people/6 people
Boarding time: Approximately 4 minutes
Total length: 1,178 m
Height difference: 301 m
Speed: 5 m/s
Transport capacity: 3,114 people/hour
◆Official website: https://ishiuchi.or.jp/winter/
2nd place | Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort Yamabiko For
Yamabiko Four is a high-speed, four-seater lift with a hood that heads to the summit of Mount Kenashi at an altitude of 1,650m. To get to the boarding point, take the Yamabiko No. 2 Four. The lift reaches the summit area of the ski resort, which stretches from an altitude of 1,400m to 1,650m. This area is a world apart from the hot spring town, with vast nature, and on clear days you can see the Sea of Japan from the summit
Yamabiko Slope consists of five courses, A to E. There are also two access points to the backcountry at the summit. You can ski until mid-May, and with just one lift you can enjoy not only powder, but also stream terrain, wall play, and tree runs. In spring, you can especially enjoy playing with the terrain, which resembles a natural banked slalom
[Thoughts and reasons for voting]
"You can do it all - flat ground, powder, tree runs"
"You can enjoy powder on a variety of lines"
"The view from the top of Mt. Kenashi is amazing"
"That feeling of reaching the summit is thrilling"
"It's fun from the start of the season right through to spring"
[Specifications]
Capacity: 4 people
Boarding time: 4.5 minutes
Total length: 1,097m
Elevation difference: 284m
Speed: 4m/sec
◆Official website: https://nozawaski.com/
3rd Place | Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort Nagasaka Gondola
The Nagasaka Gondola began operation in 2020. It takes approximately eight minutes to travel from the Nagasaka area at the foot of the mountain to the Yamabiko area at the summit in a straight line. The 10-person gondola cabin is large in both height and width, and has an open design with glass all around. As a "moving aerial terrace," the cabin is equipped with highly cushioned leather seats, ensuring comfort and quietness, allowing you to enjoy a luxurious stroll in the air
The leather seats, which offer a first-class ride, are accented with the Nozawa Onsen image color (blue). Furthermore, Japan's first ventilation system, the "natural ventilation system structure," automatically draws fresh air from outside into the cabin and expels it through the windows, allowing for quicker air exchange
Below the Nagasaka Gondola, there are a ton of exciting and attractive runs that are just as impressive as those in the Yamabiko area at the summit. This challenging run has a maximum gradient of 39 degrees. After snowfall, you can enjoy steep and deep powder riding, making it one of the first runs Nozawa-dori powder lovers aim for after snowfall. Other runs, such as the Utopia and Skyline runs, have many hit points that make use of the natural terrain
The Nagasaka area's jumping course is a hidden gem of an ungroomed area. The Nagasaka Gondola is a real treasure, offering a wide range of experiences, from powder snow to terrain play and groomed skiing, even in bad weather
[Thoughts and reasons for voting]
"The view from the Skyline course is amazing!"
"Quiet, fast, and you can just ski on powder."
"The scenery is great, and there are plenty of courses to choose from."
"The runs are long and easy to navigate."
"The carrying capacity has been greatly improved."
[Specifications]
Capacity: 10 people
Boarding time: Approximately 8 minutes one way
Total length: 3,129m
Elevation difference: 789m
Speed: 6.0m/sec
Transport capacity: 2,400m/hour
◆Official website: https://nozawaski.com/
4th place | Kagura Ski Resort 5th Romance Lift
The No. 5 Romance Lift, commonly known as "Goroma," is located at the top of Kagura Ski Resort, on a slope at an altitude of 1,800 meters. It is a phantom lift that only operates during the high season when high-quality powder falls. When it snows, it becomes a battle for access. It usually opens on New Year's Day, January 1st
From the 5th Romance Lift, you can enjoy a wide variety of courses, including the beautiful "Forest Expert Course" surrounded by coniferous forests, and the backcountry accessible from the BC gate
[Thoughts and reasons for voting]
"You can enjoy more powder than at the top."
"You can enjoy both side country and back country."
"There is a wide variety of courses.
"The course terrain, slope, and distance are all just right."
"You can enjoy the scenery."
[Specifications]
Capacity: 2 people
Boarding time: Approximately 5 minutes
Total length: 669m
Elevation difference: 85m
Speed: 2m/sec
◆Official website: https://www.princehotels.co.jp/ski/kagura/winter/
5th place | Marunuma Kogen Ski Resort Nikko Shirane Ropeway
Nikko Shirane Ropeway is the highest peak in the Kanto region, standing at 2,578m above sea level. It takes you from the bottom of the ski resort to the top in a 15-minute ride, with spectacular views below. Not only can you enjoy a 4,000m long run on this one ropeway, but there are also over 30 different terrains to explore
There is a wide variety of courses to enjoy from top to bottom, including ungroomed runs where you can enjoy some of the area's best powder, well-maintained groomed runs, natural terrain, and course-side walls. Another popular park is the one created by local rider Kyosuke Miyazaki, who knows Marunuma's terrain and fall lines inside and out, and combines natural features such as fallen trees with Marunuma's terrain
The Silver Course is a popular route from the ropeway to the bottom. It's an undulating, ungroomed course with a bowl-shaped start and interesting three-dimensional terrain on both the left and right sides. The slope increases as you ski down. The run is usually a long, mogul-like slope, attracting mogul skiers and mogul enthusiasts. After a snowfall, you can enjoy powder riding to your heart's content
[Thoughts and reasons for voting]
"Enjoy long runs."
"Enjoy everything from the piste, terrain, powder, and park."
"There are over 30 hit points on one ropeway.
" "There are plenty of walls, so you can enjoy it all the way to the end."
[Specifications]
Capacity: 8 people
Boarding time: 15 minutes
Total length: 2,500m
Elevation difference: 600m
◆Official website: https://www.marunuma.jp/winter/
6th Place | Takasu Snow Park SP Gondola
Takasu Snow Park is one of the largest in the Kansai region, with an area equivalent to 38 Nagoya Domes when combined with the adjacent Dynaland. The courses, which are mainly north-facing slopes, are renowned for their snow quality. In the 2013-2014 season, it achieved the highest number of visitors in Western Japan for the seventh consecutive year. Its signature feature is the Italian-made SP gondola, the first in Japan to carry 15 people. From the summit at an altitude of 1,550m, you can enjoy a long run of up to 4,900m
Takasu Snow Park is expanding its ungroomed runs every year. You can use the SP gondola to go around three tree run courses: BUNA, NARA, and TOCHI, and enjoy powder snow to your heart's content in the forest on the north-facing slopes
[Thoughts and reasons for voting]
"The scenery was overwhelmingly beautiful and impressive."
"You can hit all the slopes with one run."
"Quick access to the top."
"A wide variety of courses."
"Long runs."
[Specifications]
Capacity: 15 people
Boarding time: Approximately 8 minutes
Total length: 2,700m
Elevation difference: 600m
◆Official website: https://takasu.gr.jp/
No. 7 | Happo-one Ski Resort Happo Riesen Quad
Happo Riesen Quad runs along the 3,000m Riesen Slalom Course, a signature course representing Hakuba Happo One, Japan's proud international mountain resort. This year marks the 79th anniversary of the traditional Happo One Riesen Slalom Competition, and the course also sees skiers skiing down the wide, varied slopes. You can then ascend from the middle of Mt. Nagiyama to the same altitude as the gondola's terminal station
[Thoughts and reasons for voting]
"You can ski long distances nonstop."
"The groomed runs first thing in the morning are exceptional."
"The packed snow on the Riesen Slalom course is amazing."
"It gives me the motivation to ski at this prestigious course again this year."
[Specifications]
Capacity: 4 people
Boarding time: 7 minutes
Total length: 1,682m
Elevation difference: 506m
◆Official website: https://www.happo-one.jp/
8th place | Madarao Kogen Ski Resort Lift 13
Lift 13, the signature single lift at Madarao Kogen Ski Resort, is the most popular of the 51 courses on the large slopes that connect the two ski resorts of Madarao Kogen Ski Resort and Tangram Madarao. Nicknamed the "Pizza Box" because its seat resembles a pizza box, this lift takes you to the ungroomed, advanced courses. It stretches all the way to the summit of Mt. Madarao, at an altitude of 1,382m, with views of Lake Nojiri below and the Northern Alps in the distance. Once you've disembarked from the lift, you can also walk to the spectacular view point
From Lift 13, you'll pass through Adventure Isle and head to the 1,000m Powder Line. It's powder heaven. Madarao Kogen Ski Resort boasts 15 tree run courses, making it one of the largest in Japan. You can enjoy a wide variety of tree runs and the finest powder known as "Madapow" along with spectacular views
[Comments and reasons for voting]
"It makes me feel nostalgic."
"You can choose from a variety of ungroomed areas to ski in."
"The scenery is beautiful."
"Just riding is exciting."
"It's a facility I'd like to see remain."
[Specifications]
Capacity: 1 person
Boarding time: Approximately 6 minutes
Total length: 600m
Elevation difference: 200m
Speed: 1.8m/sec
◆Official website: https://www.madarao.jp/ski
9th place | Myoko Suginohara Ski Resort Suginohara Gondola
Myoko Suginohara Ski Resort is spread out at the foot of Mount Myoko, which has been selected as one of Japan's 100 most famous mountains. The longest run, with an elevation difference of 1,124m, is an astounding 8.5km! The Suginohara Gondola, which takes you 3km to the summit at an elevation of approximately 1,500m, is the symbol of the ski resort. You can see Lake Nojiri and Oku-Shinano below. There is a special viewpoint at the summit station at an elevation of 1,489m, and on clear days you can even see Mount Fuji
With just one ride on the Suginohara Gondola, you can choose from a wide variety of options, from perfectly packed piste runs to playing on the terrain and powder snow beside the slopes. The satisfaction of a long run is unparalleled. Even in a snowstorm, the gondola is comfortable and you won't feel the cold. You can also rest properly during the gondola ride, so you can conserve your energy and enjoy cruising again and again with energy, saying "Just one more run!"
[Thoughts and reasons for voting]
"Enjoy the long runs and be very satisfied with just one ride"
"Beginners can enjoy it as they can take a good rest in the gondola"
"Enjoy the edge powder" "
Choose from a wide range of slopes, from piste runs to terrain"
"It's fun and challenging like no other"
[Specifications]
Capacity: 8 people
Boarding time: 10 minutes
Total length: 3,074m
Elevation difference: 677m
◆Official website: https://www.princehotels.co.jp/ski/myoko/winter/
10th place | Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort No. 4 Pair Lift
Cortina Ski Resort, the northernmost ski resort in the Hakuba area, attracts die-hard fans seeking 100% natural powder snow. The No. 4 Pair Lift is the choice for these fans. In addition to the beautiful views from the summit at an altitude of 1,402m, the resort offers a wide variety of ski trails, including the Hiedayama Forest Course for beginners, which takes you through the mystical frost-covered trees; the Itadaira Course for intermediate skiers, which offers dynamic skiing at a nearly constant gradient over a distance of 600m; the Hiedayama Course 2 for advanced skiers, which has an average gradient of 36 degrees and is famous for its superb powder snow; and the thrilling Tree Area for super advanced skiers
[Thoughts and reasons for voting]
"The roars of the riders ahead of you, heard from under the lift and from the forest, are extraordinary and wonderful."
"You can enjoy the best tree runs."
"The wide variety of courses means you'll just keep riding and turning."
"You can access the steepest slopes in Hakuba."
"It's great that even strangers can share the same goal, like at a festival."
[Specifications]
Capacity: 2 people
Boarding time: Approximately 6 minutes
Total length: 698m
Elevation difference: 320m
◆Official website: https://www.hgp.co.jp/cortina/ski/
We're sure everyone has their own memories of riding a chairlift, whether it's just to rest their legs, to reflect on their skiing, enjoy the view, or even feel a little awkward riding with strangers. Take a look at this ranking and recall the thoughts and views you saw while being rocked on the chairlift