STEEP conducted a lift ticket giveaway campaign/reader survey last December. The second installment is the "Lifts and Gondolas You Want to Ride Again and Again!" ranking. We introduce the most popular lifts and enjoyable courses, as determined by our readers' votes. (Clickhere.)
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 of course, there's the "SSP" snow park, which boasts some of the best facilities in Japan. Located in a spot where you can drop in as soon as you get off the Sunrise Express, this slopestyle park allows you to draw endless lines all day long, thanks to the highly mobile Sunrise Express.
Check out local rider Koga Hoshino and Yohei Niwano, the park digger at Ishiuchi Maruyama and a rider for the DRAGON team, as they cruise around the park!
[Comments and reasons for voting]
"It was amazing!"
"The seats were fluffy and warm, making for a great ride."
Easy to get on and off.
" "It's fun to be led to the boarding area by the conveyor belt."
"The combination of a lift and a gondola is interesting."
[Lift Specifications]
Capacity: 10 people/6 people
Ride time: Approximately 4 minutes
Total length: 1,178m
Elevation difference: 301m
Speed: 5m/sec
Transport capacity: 3,114 people/hour
◆Official website:https://ishiuchi.or.jp/winter/
2nd Place |Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort Yamabiko Four
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
[Comments and reasons for voting]
"You can do anything: groomed runs, powder runs, tree runs, etc."
"You can enjoy powder on various lines."
"The view from the top of Mt. Kenashi is amazing."
"That feeling of heading towards the top is exciting and thrilling."
"It's fun from the beginning of the season until spring."
[Specifications]
Capacity: 4 people,
ride time: 4.5 minutes,
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
[Comments and reasons for voting]
"The view from the Skyline course is amazing!"
"It's quiet and fast, and you can just keep skiing on the powder."
"The scenery is great, and you can choose from a wide variety of courses."
"The skiing distance is long and easy to turn around."
"The carrying capacity has improved dramatically."
[Specifications]
Capacity: 10 people,
Travel time: Approximately 8 minutes one way
, 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
[Comments and reasons for voting]
"You can enjoy powder more than at the top of the mountain"
"You can enjoy both sidecountry and backcountry"
"There is a wide variety of courses"
"The terrain, slope, and distance of the courses are all just right"
"You can enjoy the scenery"
[Specifications]
Capacity: 2 people,
ride time: approximately 5 minutes
, 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
[Comments and reasons for voting]
"You can enjoy long runs."
"You can enjoy everything: groomed slopes, terrain, powder, and the park."
"There are over 30 hit points accessible by just one cable car.
" "There are plenty of walls to enjoy until the very end."
[Specifications]
Capacity: 8 people,
ride time: 15 minutes
, 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
[Comments and reasons for voting]
"The scenery was overwhelmingly beautiful and impressive."
"You can tackle all the slopes with just one run."
"Easy access to the top."
"A wide variety of courses.
" "Long skiing distance."
[Specifications]
Capacity: 15 people,
ride 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
[Comments and reasons for voting]
"You can ski long distances nonstop."
"The groomed slopes first thing in the morning are exceptional."
"The groomed snow on the Riesenslalom course is superb."
"It gets you pumped up knowing you've come to ski at a prestigious resort again this year."
[Specifications]
Capacity: 4 people,
Flight time: 7 minutes,
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 you feel nostalgic"
"You can choose from various ungroomed zones to ski on"
"The scenery is beautiful"
"Just riding it is exciting"
"A facility I want to see preserved"
[Specifications]
Capacity: 1 person,
Flight time: Approximately 6 minutes
, 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!"
[Comments and reasons for voting]
"You can enjoy a long run and be completely satisfied with just one run."
"You can rest properly in the gondola and even beginners can enjoy it."
"You can enjoy powder snow at the edges."
"You can choose from groomed slopes, natural terrain, and large slopes."
"It offers a unique kind of fun and a satisfying run."
[Specifications]
Capacity: 8 people,
Flight time: 10 minutes
, 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
[Comments and reasons for voting]
"The shouts of those ahead that can be heard from below the lift and from the forest create an extraordinary and wonderful feeling."
"You can enjoy the best tree runs."
"There is a wide variety of courses, and you just keep riding."
"You can access the steepest slopes in Hakuba."
"It's great that strangers can share the same goal, like at a festival."
[Specifications]
Capacity: 2 people,
ride time: approximately 6 minutes
, 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