ニセコ東急 グラン・ヒラフ キングゴンドラ 山麓駅 — Attraction in Kutchan

★★★★★

I've been skiing Grand Hirafu since the mid-2000s and have seen many changes—some great, some not so much. The upgrade from quad chairs to efficient gondolas has improved mountain access, and there's now a fantastic mix of international visitors, creating a vibrant yet respectful atmosphere.

The mountain offers about 30% expert terrain (mainly at the top), 35% intermediate (mid-mountain), and the rest for beginners at the lower elevations. The legendary Japanese powder is unbeatable, and off-piste skiing is world-class, with well-spaced trees and manageable gradients compared to North America.

Staff across the resort—whether lift operators or hospitality workers—are friendly, helpful, and customer-focused. Lift passes remain some of the most affordable worldwide, and the overall value for money is excellent. However, terrain diversity is limited, especially compared to North America, with fewer long groomers or mogul runs. If you're looking for technical progression, it may not be ideal, but if you want pure enjoyment, it's hard to beat.

For now, major corporate ownership hasn’t taken over, keeping ticket prices and services reasonable. While costs are rising, they remain more affordable than most global ski destinations. With consistently incredible powder and a well-run resort, Grand Hirafu is still an outstanding place to visit—just don’t wait too long...

This was a RIP-OFF. Bought tickets to eat in the restaurant on top of the mountain only to find out that it was closed. They should have a sign before purchasing the tickets that the restaurant closes at 4 pm. We even told the person in the ticket counter of our plan but didn't inform us of it being closed. I was expecting at least a 50% refund just for the ride, but they refused. They're taking advantage of unsuspecting tourists. So be...

The gondola service was efficient, there was less than 5 mins queue at 9:30 AM. The ticket for round trip is 3500 yen per person which is not bad. The view from the gondola and the top is certainly unique but if you were expecting the alps/dolomite vibe then this is not that. FYI, Gondola does not take you all the way to the top of the hill but I must say that the powder...