What will happen to Hanazono in the 2021-2022 winter season?

Niseko Hanazono Resort is scheduled to open on Saturday, December 4, 2021. There's a lot of exciting news, including a new gondola and a new lift! Here is a brief summary of what will actually change.

1. Hanazono Symphony Gondola

Hanazono has been operating with three lifts, but this winter, the long-awaited ”Hanazono Symphony Gondola" will finally be launched. The gondola takes its name from the latest model of the Symphony Cabin by POMA of France. Designed by Italy’s Pininfarina, the brand new 10-person Hanazono Symphony Gondola represents the pinnacle of modern gondola design and comfort and will be the first POMA 10-person Gondola installed in Japan. Each cabin boasts individually embroidered, leather-trimmed seats, and an individual suspension system for each cabin.

2. New Hanazono Lift 1

Hanazono No. 1 lift, which has been the face of the resort for 28 years since its opening in 1992, will be replaced. The new 6-seat detachable hooded chairlift boasts individually embroidered, leather-trimmed, and heated seats, and an individual suspension system for each chair. It will be an elegant moment to relax and take a break from the cold in Niseko.

3. New courses

The new Hanazono ski lifts open new ski terrain and ski courses on the eastern side of the mountain.

Intermediate Ski course – “Colly's Folly”

Located on the east side of the famous “Legend of Shinya” ski course and commencing at the top of the new Hanazono Symphony Gondola, you will find the new red (intermediate) course, “Colly's Folly”. The 550-meter course, just about right at 20’ish degrees, will suit intermediate and advanced skiers alike. Wide and groomed from side to side, “Colly’s Folly” is set to become an all-time favorite for skiers of all standards.

Beginner Ski Course – “Juicy Fruit”

The mid-station of the new Hanazono Symphony Gondola is the entrance to “Juicy Fruit”, a newly fashioned 800-meter green (beginner) ski course with an average slope of just 7 degrees, making it the perfect slope for first-timers and beginners.

4. Night Skiing

The arrival of the Hanazono Symphony Gondola also heralds the commencement of night-skiing at Hanazono, with each gondola cabin boasting its own unique coloured LED lighting system to light the night sky.

5. Enhancement of green season

The new ski lifts at Hanazono will serve not only winter guests but also those who visit Hanazono in the green season.