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Resort Guide

Suitability	Resort height: 250m
Families:		[Yes]
Glacier:		[No]
Beginners:		[3]
Intermediates:		[4]
Advanced:		[4]
Snowboarding:		[4]

Furano is one of Japan’s leading resorts – and that’s in a country with more than 600 ski centres. It is located on the north island of Hokkaido and has two bases – Funano and Kitanomine. There are 32km (20 miles) of piste, best suited to beginners and intermediates prepared to make the long flight for a very different ski holiday and cultural experience. Although 32km is not large by European or North American standards, the nearly 1000 vertical metres, served by the 101 passenger Furano cable car on one side and the three kilometre long Kitanomine gondola on the other, is world class. From the top of the area there are great views across the valley to smoking Mt Tokachi and the north island’s highest peak, Mt Asahi.

Don’t be put off by the resort’s low elevation by international standards either! Furano records an average of nine metres of snow, much of it dry, light, fluffy powder which blows in from Siberia, each year, a figure matched by very few Western ski resorts.

Although you can stay slopeside in the giant Prince hotel, the main resort is a short bus ride away. Furano is first and foremost a small Japanese country town, so is an ideal destination for anyone wishing to experience Japanese culture and the friendliness of Japanese people on their ski holiday.

Beginners

Furano has three beginner areas, where families or beginners can learn to ski or snowboard, with beautiful views and wide runs. These areas are located at the base of the Kitanomine Zone from the Quad chair, at the base of the Furano Zone at the bottom of the Romance Chair and at the top of the Ropeway by riding the top Romance lift. The Prince Course is a favourite for beginners, being wide, close to the base and on average only an eight degree gradient. The ski school offers learn to ski packages including rentals and lift tickets if required.

Intermediates

Much of the terrain at Furano is graded intermediate. Popular pistes include the Spies run which is 3.3km (a little over two miles) long and pitches at up to 32 degrees, with an average gradient of 15 degrees, it is floodlit for night skiing. The 2.4km (1.5 mile) Ladies’ Downhill course has great views of the Tasisetsuzan mountains. Furano is unique in Japan in having a team of volunteer guides who will show you the best ski areas on the mountains, and down in resort as well if you like.

Advanced

Although on-piste terrain for advanced skiers is limited to a handful of black runs including Kumaotoshi and Challenge, the ski school offers freestyle clinics and off piste ski days to make the most of the abundant and under- used powder snow.
Four time Olympian, Kiminobu Kimura, runs this ski school and sets up a slalom course on the Todomatsu trail every winter. Ski touring is also organised on the active Mt Tokachi. Another run to try on the piste is Panorama, which is left ungroomed so that bumps build up.

Snowboarding

There are three small terrain parks in the ski area where there are some small jumps and kickers built each year. Half pipes are built some years but are not guaranteed. Night boarding is available and the ski school gives boarding lessons.

Other Activities and Facilities

There are plenty of activities on offer around Furano. You can try dog sledding, snowshoeing, a night hike, paragliding or a hot air balloon ride. There is also a wine tasting salon in the North Country Inn. Fishing through an ice hole is a popular pastime and you can deep-fry your catch with some local mushrooms right there on the ice as you fish.

Relaxing in an Onsen (hot spring) is an age-old Japanese tradition that all those who visit Japan should try at least once. Furano and the surrounding areas are dotted with natural volcanic and man-made onsen. Furano lies in the valley down from the volcano and as such has a number of volcanic streams running underground. You can sit back and relax and let the mineral rich volcanic waters soothe your body.

Snowmobiling along forest tracks of 3km, 10km, 30km is available, or you can take an 80km+ day tour along the longest snowmobile course in Hokkaido. A professional guide will accompany you and show you some of the most amazing mountain scenery.

Après Ski and Dining Out

Furano has a friendly après-ski scene, with the novelty of visiting bars created in igloos a highlight for visitors. Every week throughout the ski season Furano hosts a number of events, performances and festivals. These include tea ceremonies, cultural and dramatic performances and “try it yourself” kimono fashion shows. Some bars are open to 2.30am and range from karaoke bars like Snake Lavender, to traditional bars serving sake such as Sakanaya Furano, and hostess bars like Mikado to Western style bars including Boco. There are more than 100 restaurants to choose from serving a wide variety of old Japanese dishes as well as Chinese, Korean and Mongolian cuisine, and European dishes including pizza and fondue.

Families

Furano offers families an easy and convenient lift system with the three main lifts enclosed, allowing easy and relatively warm access to the top of the hill. Families have the opportunity to ride lifts together but descend different runs so as everyone finds something to suit their style and ability.

Long intermediate areas finish at the base of the beginner areas allowing families to keep an eye on each other as they all enjoy the hill. There is also a family package lift ticket.

Children are accepted for ski school, with four to six year olds having private lessons. At the base of the Furano area is Family Snow Land which has a variety of family friendly on-snow activities. Options include tubing, or riding on a giant inflatable banana or an inflatable boat down the slopes.

Accommodation in Furano

• New Furano Prince Hotel - 4 star,
• North Country Inn - 3 star,

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