Niseko Hanazono Resort opened its doors for the 2021 – 2022 ski season to tourists and locals alike on December 4th. During this opening, Niseko also unveiled two major upgrades of the resort to the public: a brand new, state-of-the-art, 10-person gondola, and a brand new 6-person chair lift. These lifts have been described as the “Ferrari of chairlifts” by Hanazono Ski Resort’s President, Colin Hackworth.
The POMA 10-person Hanazono Symphony Gondola offers an experience like no other gondola ride. The new gondola is equipped with a spacious interior to comfortably fit 10 people inside. Skiers will no longer have to endure a cramped gondola ride to get to the top of the mountain. The new gondola also offers panorama windows—perfect for capturing amazing photos of the breathtaking mountain. The cubbies meant for holding skis on the outside of the gondola are wide enough to hold any type of skis, making the mountain more inclusive of all difficulty levels on the slopes.
The Gondola will also give skiers access to two new runs: Colly’s Folly (red – advanced/intermediate) and Juicy Fruit (green). These runs increase the variety of runs offered for each skill level, making the new Symphony Gondola is perfect for large groups of skiers including all different skill levels.
The Hanazono Lift One 6-Person Chair Lift is the real show-stopper for Niseko’s 2021-2022 season upgrades. Not only does the new chair have luxurious upgrades such as heated leather seats and a heat-trapping bubble cover – this chair’s updated technology from POMA will also increase efficiency by reducing both line and ascent times. Each chair on the lift is manufactured with its own suspension system which will increase the smoothness of each ride.
At the formal unveiling ceremony on December 4th, The President of Hanazono Ski Resort—Colin Hackworth—hyped the new machinery up to excited skiers: “There is no higher-spec chair or gondola in the world.” Hackworth explained that the process of customizing a gondola and chairlift to the caliber of Niseko’s new rides is almost impossible. Hackworth added almost every single customization possible to the new lift and gondola. This confidence in the new technology makes any ski-junkie eager to go see the new lifts for themselves.
