For ski resorts, the summer off-season is the time to prepare for the coming winter. This year again, construction of new gondolas and lifts and resort rebrands are under way across the country. Here are the main changes for the 2026-27 season that resorts and operators had announced as of July 2026.

Niseko Village: First Section of the "New Mori-no-Gondola" Debuts This Winter

At Niseko Village, part of Niseko United, construction is under way on the 8-seater "New Mori-no-Gondola" (新 森のゴンドラ), which replaces the "Mori-no-Chairlift" in use since the early 1980s. The plan links a total length of about 2 km in two sections: the first section (base to a mid-station at about 670 m elevation) is scheduled to open in December 2026, and the second section on the summit side is scheduled for completion in December 2027.

Capacity will be roughly double the current level. Of the 86 cabins, four are "VIP cabins" with tables and two are glass-floored "Sky View cabins" — a playful touch. It is billed as an all-weather design, and more gondolas that can handle wind and snow is a practical upgrade for powder hounds who want to ride on snowy days.

Niseko has seen a steady generational turnover of its lift network in recent years, with the 10-seater Ace Gondola at Grand Hirafu and the new gondola at HANAZONO. The New Mori-no-Gondola is the latest chapter in that trend, and including the Annupuri plan described below, lift capacity across all of Niseko will be raised substantially over several years.

Tsugaike: Hannoki No. 3 Quad Replaced for the First Time in 35 Years with the 6-Seater "T3"

At Tsugaike Mountain Resort (Tsugaike Kogen) in HAKUBAVALLEY, the "Hannoki No. 3 Quad Lift" is being renewed for the first time in 35 years. It is being replaced with the 6-seater "T3" lift built by French lift manufacturer LEITNER-POMA, and is scheduled to start operating in December 2026.

T3 has the longest line length of any lift in the Tsugaike area. A new direct drive system is also said to improve ride comfort and reduce noise. Tsugaike is popular for its vast gentle slopes and ungroomed upper areas, so a capacity boost on a key lift looks set to translate directly into more comfortable laps.

Ski Jam Katsuyama Becomes "JAM Fukui Katsuyama Mountain Resort"

Ski Jam Katsuyama (Katsuyama, Fukui Prefecture), known as one of the largest snow resorts in western Japan, was rebranded as "JAM Fukui Katsuyama Mountain Resort" on April 1, 2026. This will be its first winter season under the new name.

The on-site hotel has also changed from "Hotel Harvest Ski Jam Katsuyama" to "JAM Fukui Katsuyama Tokyu Hotel & Resorts", a Tokyu Hotels franchise, relaunching as a hotel open to the general public instead of members only. The resort aims to shift from a ski-focused destination to a year-round, four-season resort. Watch out for the new name when searching, navigating or booking accommodation.

Management Changes: Daisen White Resort Under New Management

At Daisen White Resort (Daisen, Tottori Prefecture), one of the largest ski areas in western Japan, the Nihon Kotsu Group, which ran it for many years, has withdrawn and transferred all facilities to the town of Daisen free of charge. After twists and turns, including the selection of a designated manager once being sent back to square one, in April 2026 Advance, a tourism facility operator from Hyogo Prefecture, was chosen as the new designated manager (through the end of March 2036). This winter will be its first season under the new management.

Big Investments Continue in 2027 and Beyond: Hakuba and Niseko

They won't be ready for this season, but plans further ahead are being announced one after another. At Hakuba Happo-one, construction is under way on a new 10-seater gondola linking Nakiyama and Usagidaira (line length 2,180 m, with B-03 EVO cabins introduced for the first time in Japan), along with a base center house and a large parking lot, aiming for an opening in December 2027. Capacity is planned to rise significantly, from 1,350 to 2,400 people per hour. Also in the Hakuba area, Hakuba Iwatake Mountain Resort has already announced the renewal of its No. 5 South Lift, which links the summit with "Hakuba Hitotoki no Mori," for the first time in about 37 years. It will become a 6-seater (capacity from 2,400 to 3,000 people per hour, an investment of about ¥1.75 billion), and it too is scheduled to start operating in December 2027.

In Niseko, a full replacement of the gondola at Niseko Annupuri International Ski Area has been announced. The current gondola, in operation since 1985, will be replaced with a new 10-seater model, nearly doubling capacity from about 1,440 to about 2,800 people per hour. Operation is scheduled to start in the 2028-29 season. Improved wind resistance is also expected to reduce the rate of suspended operation, and the Niseko area's lift network will undergo a rapid generational change over several years.

What It Means from a Powder Perspective

New lifts and gondolas don't just make things "more comfortable" — they change how you move around the mountain itself. Here are the points worth keeping in mind before the season starts.

• Lifts and gondolas that double capacity change the pace of the first-thing-in-the-morning race for powder. On days when the mountain gets tracked out fast, rethink how you plan your runs.
• New all-weather, wind-resistant gondolas help with the "is it running?" problem on big snow days. Keep an eye on how reliably they operate on snowy days.
• For resorts that have rebranded or changed names, be careful not to get lost by using the old name when searching, using car navigation or booking accommodation.
• Early-bird lift tickets and season passes may be priced on the basis of new names and new lifts. Check the lifts covered and sales conditions before buying.

Sales of early-bird lift tickets and season passes at each resort are about to get under way in earnest. New lift openings and rebrands should be reflected in ticket names and pricing, so check the latest official information before buying. JAPOW CAST will also bring you follow-up reports as new announcements come in and in line with the outlook for this winter (the cold-season forecast is usually released in late September).

Sources: Niseko United official news (June 25, 2026); Niseko Village K.K. press release (May 11, 2026); Hakuba Tsugaike Mountain Resort official website and Nippon Ski Resort Development Co., Ltd. press release (September 22, 2025); Katsuyama Kogen Kaihatsu Co., Ltd. press release (November 19, 2025); Hakuba Happo-one Ski Resort official website (November 28, 2024 and October 14, 2025); Iwatake Resort Co., Ltd. press release (March 2026); for Daisen White Resort's management, reports by news outlets in the San'in region (April 2026). Edited and summarized from each company's announcements.