Hakuba Iwatake Mountain Resort, located in Hakuba Village, Nagano Prefecture, is set to renew its No. 5 South Lift for the first time in approximately 37 years. The lift connects the resort's summit area with the "Hakuba Hitotoki no Mori" observation area at an elevation of 1,100 meters, and operations on the renewed lift are scheduled to begin in December 2027.
About the No. 5 South Lift
The No. 5 South Lift has operated year-round as a key access route to the Hakuba Hitotoki no Mori observation area. Riding the lift offers a roughly 7-minute aerial journey with panoramic views over Hakuba Happo-one and the surrounding Hakuba Village area. The lift also sits on one of the resort's main ski slopes — the South Course — which features a snow park, and congestion during the peak winter season has been an ongoing challenge.
Renewal Details
The renewal project represents an investment of approximately 1.75 billion yen. The existing 4-person lift will be upgraded to a 6-person lift, with operating speed increasing from 4 m/s to 5 m/s. Transport capacity will grow from 2,400 persons per hour to up to 3,000 persons per hour (at maximum carrier configuration), helping to ease congestion and improve the flow of guests.
The renewal aims to provide a safer, more comfortable, and smoother travel experience for all visitors throughout the four seasons. Operations on the renewed lift are scheduled to commence in December 2027.
