Shinhotaka Ropeway Ski Area (Takayama, Gifu)　新穂高ロープウェイスキー場（岐阜県高山市）

SnowJapanHistory　スノージャパンヒストリー
A look back at ski areas from Japan’s past 過去の日本のスキー場を懐かしむ

Shinhotaka Ropeway

Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture

新穂高ロープウェイスキー場
岐阜県高山市

Shinhotaka Ropeway is a two-stage ropeway system - including the only ‘double decker’ ropeway in Japan - located within the Chubu Sangaku National Park 中部山岳国立公園 in Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture. The ropeways transported skiers and snowboarder to an elevation of 2,156m, offering stunning up-close views of Kasagatake, Hotaka (third largest mountain in Japan at 3,190m) and other peaks of Japan's Northern Alps. While the ski runs were closed in 2003, Shinhotaka Ropeway still operates throughout the year so you can visit in winter to get an idea of what it might have been like to ski or snowboard down the mountain.

Historic Aerial Photograph

Information on photographs and images used on this page can be found here

Shinhotaka Ropeway Ski Area（新穂高ロープウェイスキー場）

	
		Opened

		開設
		1973
	
		Closed

		閉設
		March 2003
	
		Base elevation

		標高最低
		1,230m
	
		Top elevation

		標高最高
		2,156m
	
		Vertical

		標高差
		926m
	
		Steepest slope

		最大斜度
		42°
	
		Number of courses

		コース本数
		6
	
		Longest run

		最長滑走距離
		4,000m
	
		Skill level

		初級・中級・上級
		30% beginner

		40% intermediate

		30% 
		advanced
	
		Ski / board

		スキー・ボード
		60% / 40% 
		[2001]
	
		Ski lifts

		リフト本数
		6 lifts
	
		Ropeway
		573m
	
		Ropeway
		2,628m
	
		Pair
		451m
	
		Single
		537m
	
		Single
		825m
	
		Single
		446m
	
		The pair and single 
		lifts have been removed
	
		Night skiing

		ナイター設備
		There was no night skiing

Photographs

Taken in May 2022
写真撮影：2022年5月

Further Information

	
				Shinhotaka Ropeway opened to the 
					public in 1970

At that time, it was not a ski area

Ski lifts and ski runs were built later and 
					the ski area opened in 1973

A guide book from 1973 introduces the ski 
					area as Nishi Hotakadake Ski Area  西穂高岳スキー場

It is unclear when the name was changed 
					to Shinhotaka Ropeway Ski Area  新穂高ロープウェイスキー場, 
					but it was already known by that name in a 1989 guidebook

Shinhotaka Ropeway Ski Area closed in 
					2003, but the two ropeways cable car lifts still operate throughout the year
					
The dramatic mountainous surroundings 
					make it a popular place for sightseers and climbers

The lower Number 1 Ropeway starts from 
					the Shinhotaka Onsen Station  新穂高温泉駅  by the side of the road, 
					at an elevation of 1117m

It is 573m in length and holds 45 people, 
					with a journey time of about 5 minutes to get to the 
					Nabedaira Kogen Station  鍋平高原駅  at 1305m

The 'double-decker' Number 2 Ropeway 
					starts at Shirakabadaira Station  しらかば平駅  
					at 1309m

It is about 2,600m in length and the 
					journey to the top Nishihotakaguchi Station  
					西穂高口駅  at an elevation of 2156m takes about 7 
					minutes

The base of the ski area was in the 
					location where the two Ropeways meet

The lower to mid section of the ski area 
					itself featured one pair lift and three single ski lifts 

There were some steep courses coming down from the 
					mid area, and some gentle slopes around the base (where the Nabedaira Kogen car park is now)

The Panorama course coming down from the 
					top was one of the main features

It was very narrow and steep in places 
					with drops on either side, making it a 
					thrilling experience - and one only for experienced skiers

Shinhotaka Ropeway Ski Area had its loyal loyal fans, 
					primarily due to the stunning location and the Panorama 
					course

Unfortunately, it was losing 
					money for quite a few years, and the decision was made to 
					close it in March 2003
　
All of the ski lifts were completely 
					removed from the location
　
If you know where to look, you can still 
					see the lines in the trees where the lifts used to be, but 
					as the years go by, some are getting less clear
　
A new upgraded Number 2 double-decker Ropeway opened on 22nd July 2020
　
The new Ropeway holds 105 people, and it is still the only double-decker ropeway in Japan

Google Earth

Google Street View

Google Maps

Location
所在地

Located about 8km off Route 471 in the north eastern region of Takayaka City, close to the border with Nagano Prefecture.
About 55km from the Takayama IC exit of the Chubu Jukan Expressway.
About 64km from the Matsumoto IC exit of the Nagano Expressway.
About 52km from Takayama Station on the Takayama Line.
中部縦貫自動車道　高山ICから的55km
長野自動車道　松本ICから的64km
高山線　高山駅から的52km

Currently operating ski & snowboard resorts in the region
近隣の運営中のスキー場

All currently operating ski areas in Gifu Prefecture

This page was created in May 2020
Last updated on 25th May 2022
2020年5月作成　2022年5月25日更新

Opened 開設	1973
Closed 閉設	March 2003
Base elevation 標高最低	1,230m
Top elevation 標高最高	2,156m
Vertical 標高差	926m
Steepest slope 最大斜度	42°
Number of courses コース本数	6
Longest run 最長滑走距離	4,000m
Skill level 初級・中級・上級	30% beginner 40% intermediate 30% advanced
Ski / board スキー・ボード	60% / 40% [2001]
Ski lifts リフト本数	6 lifts
	Ropeway	573m
	Ropeway	2,628m
	Pair	451m
	Single	537m
	Single	825m
	Single	446m
	The pair and single lifts have been removed
Night skiing ナイター設備	There was no night skiing