The Pizza Box chairlift in Niseko, Japan, is a single-seat lift built in 1983, one of the last of its kind before double lifts became common. It’s a historic site and offers an exciting ride for skiers and snowboarders. On a quiet powder day, many skiers are focused on heading to the peak. As they take the Pizza Box chair to King Lift #4, a line of eager hikers forms, chatting and taking photos while they wait.
After disembarking from King Lift #4, the entrance to Gate 3, known as Hirafu Peak Gate (1180 m), is easy to find. On powdery mornings, the hike up resembles a pilgrimage, with skiers and snowboarders moving slowly in a line towards the peak. The ascent takes about 20 minutes to climb 128 vertical meters to the summit of Mt. Annupuri (1308 m), the highest point in Niseko United. The stunning views make the effort worth it; on a clear day, you can see the Niseko Volcanic range, Lake Toya, Kutchan, the Sea of Japan, and the Pacific, with Mt. Yotei as the main highlight.
