Aiming to further enhance all-season mountain resorts
Starting with the opening of HAKUBA MOUNTAIN HARBOR, Hakuba Iwatake Mountain Resort attracts many visitors not only in the winter season but also in the green season. In order to realize a world-class mountain resort, it was decided to introduce a new gondola.
The Iwatake gondola lift, which is currently in operation, has been in operation for over 35 years since 1986. In the 2021 green season (April 29 to November 14, 2021), a record 134,000 visitors visited despite the corona disaster. During the green season in 2013, it succeeded in attracting more than five times the number of visitors from about 25,000. However, there were problems such as excessive vibration and noise due to aging and insufficient transport capacity during congestion. Therefore, a total investment of 2.1 billion yen will be made to construct a new gondola lift.
The new gondola lift is scheduled to be installed right next to the existing gondola lift, and the track length will be almost the same as the existing gondola lift.
The new gondola is planned to be the "UNIG type" of Nippon Cable Co., Ltd., and the space inside the gondola will be expanded and the comfort will be improved. In addition to bringing in skis and snowboards, it is also possible to load two mountain bikes. There are no steps between the boarding area and the carriage, and it is also barrier-free. Four sides of the carrier are covered with reinforced resin glass, and you can enjoy a 360° panoramic view. Transportation speed will also be greatly increased, shortening the time by more than one minute compared to existing gondola lifts, and it is expected that the lack of transportation capacity will be resolved even during busy times. Since the number of support columns for the lift is also reduced, vibration reduction and quietness are greatly improved.
The new gondola lift will be constructed while the existing gondola lift continues to operate, and will be dismantled after the new gondola lift is completed.
Considering introducing a gondola owner system
In order to increase the number of enthusiastic fans of Iwatake when constructing the new gondola lift, we are also considering an "ownership system" for the gondola lift carrier. If you become an owner, your name will be printed on the carrier, etc., and services such as season passes for multiple years and special discount accommodation at some facilities will be provided. Details will be announced on the official website, so be sure to check it out.
■Information
Hakuba Iwatake Mountain
Resort
Official website: https://iwatake-mountain-resort.com/