gondola

SKIERS and boarders at Hirafu will be zipped up the mountain in just five minutes next season, thanks to a new high-speed, eight-person gondola, Hirafu owner/operator Tokyu Inc has confirmed.

The new gondola will travel at speeds of up to 6m/second and replace the old four-person gondola that took eight minutes or longer

IT was less than a week ago that people were walking around, scratching their heads in bewilderment, wondering if they were really at a ski-resort. But, as we know, all it takes is a few good days of snow to transform the mountain and the town.

Consistent snow since the start of the week, coupled with a return to usual