Furano ski resort features a ski slope that’s simply bursting with potential. The largest ski resort in the Powder Belt, Furano has been chosen as the venue for the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup ten times over. Located in the centre of Hokkaido (also known as the “belly button of Hokkaido” in Japan), Furano is nestled within the furthest inland location in the prefecture. As a result, it gets extremely cold yet stable snow conditions. While skiers and snowboarders from Europe making the journey over in search of this glorious snow have been gradually increasing in number in recent years, there has also been an increase in Australian snow-lovers shifting over from other popular resorts within Hokkaido.
The Furano ski resort is so sizeable that it is split into two large areas—the “Furano Zone” and “Kitanomine Zone.” These two ski areas have their own ropeways and gondolas mspreading across their vast expanses. The Furano Zone features a lot of runs that seasoned skiers mand snowboarders will love, such as loose powder-snow slopes and advanced courses. The Kitanomine Zone has tricky runs for experts in the upper zone, whilst the lower zone has many large courses for beginners, making it suitable for families as well.
There are also great backcountry offerings, but these can only be ventured into at your own risk after you have obtained the necessary hiking permits. The off-piste areas adjacent to the main slope are also tantalising, with many of them accessible via the ski lifts. The area to the side of the No. 3 Downhill Romance Lift in the uppermost part of the Furano Zone is always bustling with skiers and snowboarders. It’s a must-hike location on mornings after a night of snowfall.
For accommodation, you can’t walk past the large-scale Shin Furano Prince Hotel at the base of the slope with being tempted by the ski-in-ski-out facilities as well as the many restaurants and cafés within the area. Adjacent to the Shin Furano Prince Hotel and nestled within the forest there is “Ningle Terrace,” where a range of accessory and handicraft shops are available to peruse. Visitors are treated to beautiful light installations here when the sun sets, and people from other areas are said to trek over simply to experience this amazing sight. If beautiful lights tickle your fancy, then there is also a course that can be traversed down by snow tube as well as other attractions for the whole family to enjoy.
Furano is hugely popular thanks to its gigantic ski area as well as the large resort hotel there, but there is also a local town at the foot of the mountain featuring many other hotels, businesses, and restaurants that keep drawing people in and make it perfect for long and relaxing stays. The town is home to a quaint entertainment district with a number of bars and izakayas just begging to be visited. Prices here are rather reasonable, so bar-hopping is a must-do while there. It’s no surprise that Furano is so popular with such a variety of post-skiing activities on offer.
