Ski Resort Guide
Furano
Furano Ski Resort Guide
Introduction
A classic ski town and one of Japan's leading ski destinations, Furano boasts volcanic views, traditional culture and the world's largest snow sculpture.
The resort centre, which has hosted more than a dozen FIS World Cup races and installed Japan's fastest cable car in 2002, is located at the heart of a network of Japan's leading ski centres, all included in a multi-resort lift pass. The ski area also provides great views across the valley to the smouldering volcanoes Mt Tokachi and Mt Asahi, the highest peak in Hokkaido island.
Furano's size means there's lots to do besides skiing, including hot springs, over 100 bars and restaurants, an annual winter festival and weekly traditional Japanese theatre, music and other cultural performances. Furano is even famous for creating the world's largest snow sculpture.
The resort centre, which has hosted more than a dozen FIS World Cup races and installed Japan's fastest cable car in 2002, is located at the heart of a network of Japan's leading ski centres, all included in a multi-resort lift pass. The ski area also provides great views across the valley to the smouldering volcanoes Mt Tokachi and Mt Asahi, the highest peak in Hokkaido island.
Furano's size means there's lots to do besides skiing, including hot springs, over 100 bars and restaurants, an annual winter festival and weekly traditional Japanese theatre, music and other cultural performances. Furano is even famous for creating the world's largest snow sculpture.
Mountain facts
Resort elevation: 250m (820ft).
Top elevation: 1,209m (3,966ft).
Base elevation: 250m (820ft).
Number of lifts: 11.
Number of runs: 23.
Average annual snowfall: 9m (26.6ft).
Where in the world?
The city of Furano is located in the geographical centre of Japan's northern island of Hokkaido.
Hit the slopes
Furano is world famous for its huge powder snow falls, enabling the resort to offer a near six-month ski season from November to May in a usual winter.
To make the most of the great terrain Furano offers a free ski host service, which it claims to be unique to Japan, in which enthusiastic locals guide visitors to the best terrain for them as well as advise on the culture and history of the area and recommend the best bars, restaurants and onsen hot springs baths.
Furano's local ski area is divided into two linked ski areas the Furano Zone and the Kitanomine Zone. Each offers a similar mix of beginner and intermediate standard terrain totalling 36km (23 miles) of piste. On both sides of the ski area cabin lifts (a long gondola or a 101 passenger cable car) carry skiers over the full vertical from bottom to top and runs are up to 4.8km (3 miles) long.
The steepest runs include the Furikozawa and Kumaotoshi runs on the Kitanomine side, both recommended for powder hounds. The international Ladies Downhill run is also on this side of the mountain. The Furano Zone has the longest black run, the Challenge run.
Night skiing is popular with about a third of the terrain floodlit for most of the season. A recently introduced lift pass means you can ski the neighbouring resorts of Kamui Ski Links, Tomamu and Mt Tokachi, each about an hour's shuttle bus ride away, at no extra cost.
To make the most of the great terrain Furano offers a free ski host service, which it claims to be unique to Japan, in which enthusiastic locals guide visitors to the best terrain for them as well as advise on the culture and history of the area and recommend the best bars, restaurants and onsen hot springs baths.
Furano's local ski area is divided into two linked ski areas the Furano Zone and the Kitanomine Zone. Each offers a similar mix of beginner and intermediate standard terrain totalling 36km (23 miles) of piste. On both sides of the ski area cabin lifts (a long gondola or a 101 passenger cable car) carry skiers over the full vertical from bottom to top and runs are up to 4.8km (3 miles) long.
The steepest runs include the Furikozawa and Kumaotoshi runs on the Kitanomine side, both recommended for powder hounds. The international Ladies Downhill run is also on this side of the mountain. The Furano Zone has the longest black run, the Challenge run.
Night skiing is popular with about a third of the terrain floodlit for most of the season. A recently introduced lift pass means you can ski the neighbouring resorts of Kamui Ski Links, Tomamu and Mt Tokachi, each about an hour's shuttle bus ride away, at no extra cost.
Beyond the slopes
At heart a small Japanese country town, Furano is proud of its cultural heritage and is enthusiastic about both sharing this with visitors and keeping traditions alive. So every week through the ski season the town hosts events, performances and festivals. Visitors are encouraged to try out traditional costumes, watch the resort's professional dance group perform then try themselves and get involved in the tea ceremonies.
Lots of other activities are available including dog sledding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, ice hole fishing, hot air balloon rides or a visit to one of the traditional onsen hot springs.
Lots of other activities are available including dog sledding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, ice hole fishing, hot air balloon rides or a visit to one of the traditional onsen hot springs.
Family fun
Furano's strong community ethos and wide ranging activity options make it a good choice for families. On the ski slopes there are special ‘children's slopes' with easy to use lifts at the base of the hill.
There's no nursery provision but the ski school is highly regarded, and is owned by four times Olympian Kiminobu Kimura.
A trip to Asahikawa Zoo during your stay is worthwhile, particularly for its seals, polar bear and penguin parade. The zoo is about a 40 minute drive away by organised bus tour.
There's no nursery provision but the ski school is highly regarded, and is owned by four times Olympian Kiminobu Kimura.
A trip to Asahikawa Zoo during your stay is worthwhile, particularly for its seals, polar bear and penguin parade. The zoo is about a 40 minute drive away by organised bus tour.
Retail therapy
Furano has a good range of shopping including many local shops selling traditional regional goods. The best place to find these is the delightful arts and crafts village, which is great to wander around after your ski day is over. For a wider choice head to the nearby city of Asahikawa (easy rail and bus links).
Après ski
Furano's strong traditions mean it is most appealing to families and ‘more mature' skiers and boarders rather than the young crowd, although with about 100 bars (including a few western style establishments) to choose from, there's still plenty of choice for all. Indeed both pro-boarder Shawn White from the US and British ski guru Warren Smith were in town in recent seasons, bringing some youthful cool to the area.
For a big night out take a bus or train to Asahikawa (about 45 minutes away) where you'll find around 1,500 bars and pretty much every kind of entertainment imaginable around the San-RokuGai area. Sake is brewed on the spot in several establishments here.
For a big night out take a bus or train to Asahikawa (about 45 minutes away) where you'll find around 1,500 bars and pretty much every kind of entertainment imaginable around the San-RokuGai area. Sake is brewed on the spot in several establishments here.
Eating out
Dining out is a major pastime in Furano where there are around 100 small restaurants, most serving traditional Japanese and regional specialities, although you can also find Indian, Korean and Chinese restaurants and even more distant delicacies such as pizza and pasta.
Local ingredients are used in the local specialities. Try Shojin-ryori, a vegetarian meal popular with Zen Buddhists or Yu-dofu, a low-calorie tofu based dish ideal for winter. Kaiseki-ryori is both an artistic and authentic regional dish.
Local ingredients are used in the local specialities. Try Shojin-ryori, a vegetarian meal popular with Zen Buddhists or Yu-dofu, a low-calorie tofu based dish ideal for winter. Kaiseki-ryori is both an artistic and authentic regional dish.
Getting around
Many facilities in Furano are within walking distance of your accommodation, and hotels typically provide shuttle bus services.
Splashing out
Book an unforgettable experience with the Hokkaido Powder Guides (www.hokkaidopowderguides.com) to really make the most of the incredible, and under utilised, snow for which the region is famous. Off piste day tours and powder clinics are available or you could really splash out and sign up for a back country tour including an option for an overnight stay at the Ryounkaku Hot Springs Hotel.
Accommodation
Luxury
New Furano Prince HotelFurano's largest and best known hotel, accommodating more than 800 people, with ski-in, ski-out access.
18-6 Kitanomine-machi, Furano
Tel: (167) 22 1111.
Website: www.princehotels.co.jp
Moderate
Sumire RyokanTraditional Japanese Ryokan guest house in central Furano run for many years. Shared facilities and traditional Japanese customs and cuisine.
4-30, Asahimachi, Furano
Tel: (167) 23 4754.
Budget
Furano Youth HostelStandard youth hostel, along with dormitories there are two ‘western style' rooms available with en suite bathrooms.
3-20, Okamachi, Nakafurano
Tel: (167) 44 4441.
Website: www.furanoyh.com
Getting there
Nearest airport: Asahikawa (AKJ).
Distance to resort: 48km (30 miles).
Driving time: 1 hour.
Distance to resort: 48km (30 miles).
Driving time: 1 hour.
Website
This resort is good for...
Snowboarders, Non-skiers, Experts, Beginners, Snow reliability, Intermediates, Families
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