The venue for some of the 2030 Winter Olympics’ most iconic events.
YTL Hotels’ Niseko Village in Hokkaido, Japan has been selected by Sapporo City Government as the venue for some of the 2030 Winter Olympics’ most iconic events. The decision came following an assessment of the descent, difficulty and snow quality of the area’s courses by the International Ski Federation (FIS). Niseko Village’s expanse of fall-line ski terrain from peak to base provides the most suitable location for all four alpine disciplines; slalom, giant slalom, super-giant slalom (super-G) and downhill.
Officials are considering creating new courses for the downhill and super-G slalom at Niseko Village in the Yu no Sawa area of the mountain, which is currently an off-limits and a permanently closed area. Pre-existing courses are likely to be used for the slalom and giant slalom at Niseko Village.
“YTL Hotels and Sapporo City government will discuss the possibility of increasing the number of lifts and gondolas, and making the new runs permanent,” said Dato’ Mark Yeoh, Executive Director/Owner of Niseko Village and YTL Hotels.
Luke Hurford, YTL Hotels Senior Vice President said, “Niseko Village has long supported the prospect of bringing the Olympics back to Hokkaido and Sapporo and this is a great opportunity for Niseko to play host to some of the most iconic Winter Olympics events.”
“Since acquiring Niseko Village ten years ago YTL Hotels has committed significant investment to new lodgings, new retail and F&B offerings in the village heart, an expansion of activities and crucially to winter customers, continual investment in the mountain infrastructure and winter operations,” Hurford said. “We are fully committed to continuing this investment into the mountain and view the opportunity for the 2030 Olympics with the opening of Yu no Sawa as providing a huge expansion of new ski terrain to Niseko.”
“Along with the Olympic and FIS associations we look forward to opening exhilarating new ski runs capable of hosting all Olympic downhill events including downhill and super-G as well as all slalom events on existing runs and further establishing Niseko as Asia’s premier alpine destination,” Hurford said.
Higashiyama Niseko Village, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, is currently under construction and due for completion at Niseko Village for winter 2020. The resort is also home to three other hotels including a Hilton hotel, the new all-suite hotel Hinode Hills, which opened in December 2019, and a row of luxury townhouses. Niseko Village also has two golf courses, including the Arnold Palmer-designed Niseko Golf Course and extensive green season infrastructure including an adventure activity park.
