A lift ticket giveaway campaign/reader survey conducted by STEEP in December last year. The second installment is a ranking of "I want to ride it over and over again! My favorite lift gondola." We will introduce popular lifts decided by readers' votes and many courses that can be enjoyed. Click here for the first installment of "I really don't want to tell you! My favorite local ski resorts" ranking )
1st place | Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Resort Sunrise Express
Sunrise Express is the world's latest combination lift that has appeared at Ishiuchi Maruyama since 2018, and quickly connects the foothills to the middle abdomen. The mixed lift features a 10-seater gondola cabin and a 6-seater chairlift on one line, allowing beginners or non-skiers to comfortably access the spectacular viewpoints in the warm gondola cabin. You can enjoy the majestic snowy scenery overlooking Uonuma Hirano and the Three Mountains of Echigo.
By riding Sunrise Express, you can enjoy 18 courses, excluding 9 courses in the summit area, from a total of 27 courses. Our recommendation is the dynamic course where you can enjoy powder on the wide burn. Go down Sunrise Express and slide on the left side, from the Sunrise Line or Ginza slopes. With a wide open burning course, you can enjoy plenty of natural snow (Black Diamond on the map above 16 and 17) It is located at the bottom of the ski resort, making it a hidden gem, with low competition and a high possibility that powder remains.
And above all, SSP is the snow park that boasts the highest level of fulfillment in Japan. The location allows you to drop in as soon as you get off the Sunrise Express, and the flowing slopestyle park allows you to draw endless lines all day long by turning it on the highly mobile Sunrise Express.
Check out the way local rider Hoshino Koga and Ishiuchi Maruyama's park digger and DRAGON team rider Niwano Yohei cruising through the park!
[Reviews and reasons for voting]
"I was impressed!"
"The seats are fluffy and warm, and the ride is perfect"
"It's easy to get in and out"
"It's fun to be led to the boarding point by the conveyor"
"The mixing of the lift and gondola is interesting."
[Lift specs]
Capacity: 10 people/6 people
Boarding time: Approximately 4 minutes
Total length: 1,178m
Height difference: 301m
Speed: 5m/s
Transport capacity: 3,114 people/hour
◆Official website: https://ishiuchi.or.jp/winter/
2nd place | Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort Yamabiko Four
Heading towards the summit of Mt. Mosa, at an altitude of 1,650m, the Yamabiko 4 carries a hood with a four-seater. To the boarding point, take the Yamabiko No. 2 Four. The lift takes place in the ski resort summit area, which stretches from an altitude of 1,400m to 1,650m. This area is surrounded by nature from a different world than a hot spring town, and on clear days you can see the Sea of Japan from the summit.
The Yamabiko Ski is comprised of five courses, A to E. There are also two access points to the backcountry on the summit. It can be gliding until mid-May, and with just one lift you can enjoy powder, stream terrain, wall play, and tree runs. Spring is especially enjoyable for terrain play, like the natural banked slalom.
[Thoughts and Reasons for Voting]
"You can do anything leveling, powder, or tree run"
"You can enjoy powder on a variety of lines"
"The view from the summit of Mt. Momu is the best"
"The feeling of heading to the summit makes me excited"
"The whole time I'm enjoying it from the beginning of the season until spring"
[Specifications]
Capacity: 4 people
boarding time: 4 minutes and a half
total length: 1,097m
Height difference: 284m
Speed: 4m/sec
◆Official website: https://nozawaski.com/
3rd place | Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort Nagasaka Gondola
Nagasaka Gondola began operating in 2020. It can be transported from the Nagasaka area at the foot of the mountain to the Yamabiko area at the summit in about 8 minutes by straight route. The 10-seater gondola cabin is large in height and width, and is entirely glass-covered and has an open design. As a "moving aerial terrace," the cabin features highly cushioned leather seats, making it comfortable and quiet, allowing you to enjoy a luxurious aerial walk.
The leather seats, which are first-class rides, are accented with Nozawa Onsen's image color (blue). Furthermore, Japan's first ventilation function, the "Natural Evolution System Structure," automatically takes in fresh air outside into the cabin and drains it through the window, allowing air to be swapped in a shorter time.
From the Nagasaka Gondola, there are many exciting and attractive courses that are no different to the Yamabiko area on the summit. Chan cash register wall with a maximum slope of 39°. After snow, you can enjoy a Steep and Deep powder ride, and it is one of the first courses that Nozawa-dori powder fans will aim for after snow. In addition, Utopia and Skyline courses have many hit points that make use of natural terrain.
The jumping courses in the Nagasaka area are hidden gems, non-smoking areas. When you turn the Nagasaka gondola, you can enjoy all kinds of situations, from powder to terrain play and grooming, making it a truly treasured gondola.
[Thoughts and Reasons for Voting]
"The view on the Skyline course is the best!"
"Silent and fast, you can ski powder
all the way through." "The scenery is good, and you can choose the unlimited gliding course.
" "Long distance is easy to turn"
"The transport capacity has been significantly improved."
[Specifications]
Capacity: 10 people
Boarding time: Approximately 8 minutes each way
Total length: 3,129m
Height difference: 789m
Speed: 6.0m/s
Transport capacity: 2,400m/h
◆Official website: https://nozawaski.com/
4th place | Kagura Ski Resort 5th Romance Lift
The 5th Romance Lift, located on the slopes at an altitude of 1,800m, at the top of Kagura Ski Resort, is a legendary lift that only runs in high seasons when quality powder falls. When snow falls, there will be a battle for it. In normal years, the ban will be lifted from January 1st on New Year's Day.
From the 5th Romance Lift, you can enjoy a wide variety of options, including the beautiful "Forest Expert Course" surrounded by coniferous forests, and the backcountry accessed from BC Gate.
[Reviews and reasons for voting]
"Enjoy powder from the top"
"Enjoy side and backcountry"
"A wide variety of courses"
"The course terrain, slope and distance are all right"
"Enjoy the landscape"
[Specifications]
Capacity: 2 people
boarding time: Approximately 5 minutes
Total length: 669m
Height difference: 85m
Speed: 2m/sec
◆Official website: https://www.princehotels.co.jp/ski/kagura/winter/
5th place | Marunuma Kogen Ski Resort Nikko Shiraneyama Ropeway
A ropeway that spans Mount Nikko Shirane, the highest peak in Kanto, at an altitude of 2,578m. The 15-minute sightseeing tour, with a spectacular view below you, bringing you from the bottom of the ski resort to the top in one go. Not only can you enjoy a long 4,000m run with just one ropeway, but you can also enjoy playing on over 30 terrains.
There are a variety of courses, including a non-compressed snow course where you can enjoy one of the best powders in the area, a well-maintained grooming burnt, natural terrain and walls beside the course, so you can enjoy everything from top to bottom. The park is also popular as its local Marunuma rider Miyazaki Masasuke, who knows everything about Marunuma's terrain and fall line, blends natural items that make use of natural fallen trees and other elements with Marunuma's terrain.
The Silver Course is the representative of the popular course that goes down the ropeway and up to the bottom. It is a swell-free snow course, and the start is mortar-like, and the three-dimensional terrain on both sides of the left and right is interesting. The slope increases as you slide down. The usual Baan is a long cobbing slope, attracting mowlers and cobb lovers. After snow, you can enjoy powder rides.
[Reviews and reasons for voting]
"Enjoy long runs"
"Enjoy everything from pisten, terrain, powder, parks"
"One ropeway has over 30 hit points"
"Enjoy the walls and enjoy it all until the end"
[Specifications]
Capacity: 8 people
Boarding time: 15 minutes
Total length: 2.500m
Height difference: 600m
◆Official website: https://www.marunuma.jp/winter/
6th place | Takawashi Snow Park SP Gondola
When combined with the adjacent Dynaland, Takawashi Snow Park is one of the largest in Kansai. The course, which is mainly on a north-facing slope, is well known for its snow quality. In the 23rd-24th season, the number of visitors in western Japan was the highest for the seventh consecutive year. Their specialty is Italian-made SP gondola, which is said to have been Japan's first 15-seater. You can enjoy long runs up to 4,900m from the summit, which is 1.550m above sea level.
Takawashi Snow Park also expands its non-compressed snow course every year. You can also use the SP gondola to run three tree run courses: BUNA, Nara, and Tochi (TOCHI), and enjoy powder to your heart's content in the forest on the north-facing slope.
[Reason for comments and voting]
"I was impressed by the overwhelming beautiful scenery"
"You can aim for all slopes with just one trip"
"Fast access to the top"
"A wide variety of courses"
"Long distance"
[Specifications]
Capacity: 15 people
Boarding time: Approximately 8 minutes
Total length: 2,700m
Height difference: 600m
◆Official website: https://takasu.gr.jp/
7th place | Happoone Ski Resort Happo Rezen Quad
Happo Rezen Quad follows the 3,000m long Rezen Slalom Course, a signature course that represents Hakuba Happo-One, Japan's proud international mountain resort. This year, the traditional Happo-One Rezen Slalom Tournament was held, and while watching the skiers slid down the wide barn with a wide slope with varying slopes, they suddenly rose from the middle of the Nagiyama slope to the same elevation as the gondola final stop.
[Thoughts and Reasons for Voting]
"You can ski long distances non-stop"
"The first-morning grooming burn is exceptional"
"The packed snow on the Rezen Slalom course is amazing"
"I'm excited to come to ski to a prestigious restaurant again this year."
[Specifications]
Capacity: 4 people
Boarding time: 7 minutes
Total length: 1,682m
Height difference: 506m
◆Official website: https://www.happo-one.jp/
8th place | Madarao Kogen Ski Resort 13th Lift
The 13th Lift is a famous single lift at Madarao Kogen Ski Resort, which is the most popular on its 51-course big slopes, connecting two ski resorts, Tadarao Kogen Ski Resort and Tangram Madarao. This lift is also known as the "Pizza box" because the seat resembles a pizza box, and is a lift that covers advanced courses for non-pressurized snow. It stretches towards the summit of Mt. Madarao, which is 1,382m above sea level, and below you can see Lake Nojiri and the mountains of the Northern Alps in the distance. Once you get off the lift, you can walk to the spectacular view point.
From the 13th lift, we passed through the Adventure Isle and headed to the 1000m Powder Line. It's already a powder heaven. Madarao Kogen Ski Resort has 15 tree run courses, one of the largest in Japan. You can enjoy a wide variety of tree orchids and the finest powder called "Madapow" along with spectacular views.
[Thoughts and Reasons for Voting]
"It makes you feel nostalgic,"
"You can choose a variety of non-compressed snow zones and ski,"
"The scenery is great,"
"It's exciting just by riding,"
"The equipment I want you to keep
[Specifications]
Capacity: 1 person
boarding time: Approximately 6 minutes
Total length: 600m
Height 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 extends across the foot of Mt. Myoko, which has been selected as one of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains. With an altitude difference of 1,124m, the longest running distance is approximately 8.5km! Suginohara Gondola, which connects to the summit of the gondola at an altitude of approximately 1,500m, is a symbol of the ski resort. Below you can see Lake Nojiri and Okushinano. At an altitude of 1,489m, there is a special view point at the summit station, where you can see Mt. Fuji on sunny days.
With just one Suginohara Gondola, you can choose from everything from the tightly pressed snowy Pistenburn to the terrain play and powder next to the slopes. The satisfaction level of long runs is incredible. Even when the snowstorms, the gondola is comfortable and doesn't get cold, and you can rest assured while riding the gondola, so you can conserve your physical strength and enjoy a lively cruising experience by saying, "One more!"
[Reasons for comments and voting]
"Enjoy a long run and have a great satisfying experience with just one"
"You can rest in the gondola and even beginners can enjoy it"
"You can enjoy edge paw"
"You can choose from the terrain from Pistenburn to the large slope"
"There is a unique fun and a smooth texture"
[Specifications]
Capacity: 8 people
Boarding time: 10 minutes
Total length: 3,074m
Height difference: 677m
◆Official website: https://www.princehotels.co.jp/ski/myoko/winter/
10th place | Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort 4th Pair Lift
The northernmost part of the Hakuba area, Cortina Ski Resort, attracts core fans in search of powder snow made from 100% natural snow. Those fans chose the fourth pair lift. In addition to the beautiful scenery from the summit at an altitude of 1,402m, there is also the charming feature of the Hieda Mountain Forest Course for beginners who go through the fantastic ice trees, the Itahira Course for intermediate students, where you can enjoy dynamic skiing at a distance of 600m, and the Hieda Mountain Course 2 for advanced users with an average slope of 36 degrees, which is famous for its finest powder snow, and the thrilling tree area for ultra-advanced users.
[Reviews and reasons for voting]
"The roaring cries of the first ones that come out under the lift or through the forest are great, which is great."
"You can enjoy the best tree run"
"There are a wide variety of courses and you can ride it all the way around"
"You can access the steepest slopes of Hakuba"
"It's nice to see the feeling that even people who don't know each other can share the same purpose just like a festival."
[Specifications]
Capacity: 2 people
boarding time: Approximately 6 minutes
Total length: 698m
Height difference: 320m
◆Official website: https://www.hgp.co.jp/cortina/ski/
It's not just a way to rest your legs, but you can look back at the skies, enjoy the views, ride with strangers and experience a bit of awkwardness, and each one has memories of the lift. As you look at this ranking, please think back on what you thought while swaying on the lift, and the scenery you saw.