Furano is one of Japan's most famous ski resorts, although relatively little is known about it outside of Japan. Situated in the "powder-bellt" in the middle of Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island, Furano benefits from Siberian storm systems that pass over the Sea of Japan and then dump the lightest and driest snow in all of Hokkaido - and 9 meters of it each season. After a big snow fall there is often untracked powder for days.
Its central location makes for more bluebird days than other resorts, providing stunning views of the Tokachidake mountain range while you glide down the mountain, and the cold climate enables guests to experience the phenomenon of diamond dust. What makes Furano special though is its local feel, with all staff, guides, and instructors being residents of Furano, tourists are able to interact with friendly locals for an unforgettable cultural as well as snow experience. For families who want to have a fun and relaxing time, Furano has an English speaking ski and snowboard school and day care facility catering to foreign guests.
This is a mountain that is perfect for the family or the skier who likes a civilized trail to ride on with nice grooming, beautiful views and high speed lifts to get you straight back to the top without any fuss. You will experience perfectly groomed trails allowing you to let the skis and board run and practice those high-speed carving turns before the odd mogul run. With a breakdown of terrain as 40% Beginner (easy, groomed, snowplough runs) 40% Intermediate (groomed Blue/Red, parallel) and 20% Advanced (steeper Black, groomed, ungroomed, moguls) the mountain is a good balance for all.
It is divided into the Kitanomine Zone and Furano Zone. The Furano Zone has a 101 person cable car/ropeway which is one of the fastest lifts in Hokkaido, and will get you from the bottom to the top in 4 minutes. The Kitanomine area has a gondola that is equally as fast and comfortable. When you ride on either side of the mountain it is convenient to access areas without having to travel to the base every time. The terrain is serviced by lots of smaller lifts that allow you to ride your favourite area several times over within a short space of time! On powder days the mountain usually leaves a few runs ungroomed for spectacular skiing and boarding within the boundary of the resort.
Bordered by Hokkaido's stunning Daisetsu-zan National Park, Furano is truly a world-class resort and it is a testament to the mountain and the quality of the snow that it has hosted the FIS Downhill World Cup 10 times and regularly hosts National and International ski and snowboard events including the 2005/2006 Snowboard World Cup. Many of Japan's top skiers choose to base themselves here due to the great conditions and exhilarating mountain.
