Big Changes Ahead: 8 Niseko Resort Upgrades You’ll Love
Big things are happening at Grand Hirafu thanks to the latest Niseko resort upgrades. In 2024, Niseko Tokyu installed a brand new 10-seater gondola, replacing the iconic Center Four lift. Now in 2025, construction is underway to upgrade the King Hooded Lift from a four-seater to a six-seater. These upgrades are part of Tokyu’s “Value Up NISEKO 2030” project, which aims to modernise the resort’s infrastructure, accommodate growing tourist numbers, and solidify Niseko’s status as a world-class, year-round destination.
Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu at night time
Background of the “Value Up NISEKO 2030” Project
The old Center Four aka Ace Quad lift – 2021/22 season
Niseko Tokyu launched the “Value Up NISEKO 2030” project in 2021, the 60th anniversary of the opening of Niseko’s first ski lifts in 1961. As part of the anniversary, the resort underwent a rebranding, changing its name from “Niseko Mountain Resort Grand Hirafu” to “Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu”, and updating the existing logo.
The first major upgrade of the project was the replacement of the iconic Center Four “Ace Quad” chairlift, Japan’s oldest quad lift, which had served the resort since 1985. Known for drawing huge crowds in the early morning, the lift played a key role in the Niseko experience and carried more than 25 million riders over its 38 year history.
The upgrade saw the historic lift replaced with a high-speed 10-person gondola, dramatically improving efficiency and guest comfort. Heated seats and WiFi were installed, and capacity increased from 1,800 to 2,800 passengers per hour, cutting wait times and easing congestion for visitors travelling to mid-mountain areas. The upgrade was also made with the green season in mind. Mountain bike trails are constantly being built and expanded upon within the resort, so with this in mind, bike racks were installed to support the mountain bike scene in Niseko.
The new Ace Gondola cabins – keep an eye out for one of the two “lucky gondola” with glass panel flooring
After the 2023-24 season, the original lift was dismantled, with 30 chairs auctioned off for charity, raising funds for Protect Our Winters Japan, and the new Ace Gondola officially opened on November 30, 2024. We attended the launch event, and witnessed how quickly it cleared a long queue of skiers and snowboarders eager to ride the first lift of the season.
Officials cutting the ribbon at Ace Gondola’s opening ceremony – 29th November 2024
Upcoming Niseko Resort Upgrades
King Quad Upgrade to Six-Seater (Opening 2025/26 Season)
The King Quad lift will be upgraded from a 4-seater to a 6-seater, bringing faster access and improved comfort to Grand Hirafu. The new lift will feature heated seats, a weather-protective hood, and a moving loading carpet to help beginners and kids board more easily. With capacity increasing by 600 riders per hour, the upgrade will ease mid-mountain congestion and is scheduled to open for the 2025–26 winter season.
Check out our full article about the King Hooded Quad chairlift upgrade.
King Hooded Quad Lift #3 looking out towards Niseko Village
Artists render courtesy of Grand Hirafu
Alpen Node Restaurant and Craft Brewery (Opening 2025/26 Season)
ALPEN NODE, opening on 20th December 2025 next to Grand Hirafu .Base, will introduce a new dining and social hub at Grand Hirafu. The new facility features the 240 seat Powderhood Restaurant & Taproom, offering meals and après ski from day to night. It will also host Hirafu’s first on-site craft brewery, with fresh beers set to start flowing from February 2026.
Read more at the Grand Hirafu website.
Revamp of Tanta An restaurant (Opened Summer 2025)
Tanta An restaurant & café in the Mountain Center has been completely renovated and reopened as Sanshoku, a restaurant and bar designed for dining throughout the day, from breakfast to dinner. The space has panoramic views of Mount Yotei on one side and the slopes of Grand HIRAFU on the other, improved service, and a welcoming atmosphere for all visitors. A pre-open phase began in the 2024/25 winter season, with a full launch in summer 2025.
Yukoro Onsen Returns (Opened September 2025)
Yukoro Onsen is back – built on the original site of the much loved Yukoro Onsen which closed in 2019, it keeps the original name while bringing a fresh new luxury experience. If you’re coming to Niseko this winter and staying in lower Hirafu you will love this, especially those staying just across the road at Ezo Yume, or Yotei Cottage and Yukisawa – both within a 1 minute walk, and perfect for unwinding after a long day on the mountain.
A restaurant is also planned to open on the first floor next year, and we’re excited to see what comes!
We visited on opening day – read more here.
New Mountain-Top Restaurant (Opening 2025/26 Season)
A new restaurant will open at 813 meters elevation on the second floor of Ace Gondola mountaintop station, with some of the best views of Mount Yotei from within the resort. Designed as a sustainable space, the restaurant will use recycled and environmentally-friendly materials, featuring an open kitchen, an island bar, and a terrace where guests can walk around and enjoy the view. For those who have visited Niseko in the past, keep an eye out for the old chairs from the Center Four lift, which will be reused in the restaurant seating.
Artists rendition of the upcoming restaurant at Ace Gondola
Aussie skier Mitch Grimes turns heads from riders on Ace Pair lift
Ace Pair Lift #3 to Be Replaced (Opening 2026/27 Season)
To further improve transport capacity and reduce congestion, a new hooded 4-seater lift will replace Ace Triple Lift #3, doubling its current capacity. This upgrade will provide a smoother, more efficient ride, particularly during peak hours.
As part of Niseko’s commitment to sustainability, components from the soon to be decommissioned King Hooded Quad #3 will be repurposed for this project, minimising environmental impact while enhancing the resort’s infrastructure.
This is one of my personal favourite Niseko resort upgrades, as the top station is right by the access slope to Niseko Village, making it easier and faster to traverse between resorts!
Hotel Niseko Alpen to be replaced (Opening 2026/27 Season)
Tokyu Land Corporation plans to transform Hotel Niseko Alpen into a modern ski-in/ski-out condominium hotel. The previous hotel, which opened in 1986 closed its doors on 31st March 2023 and demolition began immediately. The new development is set to take advantage of it’s location next to the Ace Gondola becoming one of Hirafu’s prime ski in/ski out accommodations. Tokyu have yet to announce further information yet, but further details including its name, and when sales of units will commence will be announced in the near future.
Hotel Niseko Alpen before demolition
Hotel Niseko Alpen before demolition
HOSHINOYA Hütte Niseko (Opening 2029)
A new five-star ski-in/ski-out condominium hotel, HOSHINOYA Hütte Niseko will open in 2029. Located at the top of Hirafu-Zaka Street, it will feature 62 luxury residences with direct access to the Ace Gondola.
With these exciting improvements complete and other Niseko resort upgrades on the horizon, Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu continues to be more efficient, comfortable, and sustainable, ensuring it remains a world-class, all-season destination for years to come.
Sources and further reading:
https://www.grand-hirafu.jp/en/news/1792/
https://www.grand-hirafu.jp/en/news/9574/
https://www.skijapan.com/updates/king-hooded-lift-upgrades/
https://www.tokyu-land.co.jp/news/2022/000782.html
https://www.tokyu-land.co.jp/english/news/uploads/January_27_2023.pdf
https://www.tokyu-land.co.jp/news/2024/001255.html
https://www.tokyu-land.co.jp/english/news/uploads/22ff941274b033c39ab14d17ee05266d0c7dd1b9.pdf
https://www.tokyu-fudosan-hd.co.jp/english/news/uploads/companies/pdf/8446a0712d9b25955bd6f0f975a2069c056b4f99.pdf
https://nisekotourism.com/ja/media/value-up-niseko-road-to-2030/