Niseko lift users: 11.31 million people

Good evening, gentlemen.
The number of people using the Niseko lift this season has been reported.
It is said that Niseko’s popularity is declining, but that doesn’t seem to have anything to do with it.
I’m looking forward to next season.

from December 2012 to March 2013; weak yen attracts more foreign visitors; highest number since 200

The total number of people using lifts and gondolas at the four main ski resorts in the Niseko area (Kutchan and Niseko towns in Shiribeshi district) from December last year to March this year increased 13.5% from the same period last year to 11.31 million people, surpassing the 10 million mark. Although no data remains, this is believed to be the first time since the 2000s that the number has reached the 10 million mark since the ski boom of the late 1980s and 1990s. In addition to successfully attracting new foreign visitors from the United States and other countries, the introduction of new gondolas also had a major effect.

The four ski resorts are Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu Ski Resort and Niseko Hanazono Resort in Kutchan Town, and Niseko Village Ski Resort and Niseko Annupuri International Ski Resort in Niseko Town. According to the statistics of each operating company, the number of passengers this winter exceeded 9 million last winter for the first time in five seasons, reaching 11,318,863, exceeding the 9.97 million passengers last winter. Annupuri, which had been open since April, closed on May 6.

The strong attendance is due to overseas visitors, who are thought to account for 80 to 90% of the total, and Niseko Village says, “The proportion of overseas visitors has increased since last season.”

In addition to the “core demographic” from Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore, there has been a significant increase in visitors from the United States and Canada. The fact that season passes can be used at about 60 ski resorts in North America and elsewhere is also helping the situation, and Hanazono Resort says, “Awareness of ‘Japanese powder snow’ is spreading in North America as well.”

This season, the adult one-day pass common to all four ski resorts is now 1,500 yen, 1,000 yen higher than last season, and food, beverage, and lesson fees have also increased, but each ski resort says, “Due to the weak yen, there is no impact on overseas visitors.”

One-day tickets at overseas resorts are said to be over 30,000 yen, and some believe that Niseko still has room to raise prices, but Annupuri is wary, saying, “The image that ‘Niseko is expensive’ has strengthened, and it feels like the number of domestic visitors has decreased.”

By resort, Grand Hirafu performed well, with passenger numbers increasing 45% compared to the same period last year thanks to a successful conversion from its main four-seater lifts to 10-seater gondolas. Snow conditions in December were also good, and “the operating rate of lifts and gondolas at the start of the season increased by 70% (compared to the same period last year).”

Accommodation facilities near the ski resorts also remained strong, with “occupancy rates of over 90% continued” (Niseko Village). At Hanazono Resort, a new hotel opened near the slopes, helping to attract visitors.

We are looking forward to next season. MIJ Escorts will also be adding to the entertainment in Niseko.

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