Furano Ski Resort

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Furano Hokkaido
Furano Hokkaido
Deep powder in Furano sidecountry
Deep powder in Furano sidecountry
Furano ropeway on the Furano side
Furano ropeway on the Furano side
New Furano Prince Hotel on the Furano side
New Furano Prince Hotel on the Furano side
Furano township is a good option for accommodation
Furano township is a good option for accommodation
Furano ski resort - sublime powder!
Furano ski resort - sublime powder!
Fenix apartments on main street on Kitanomine side
Fenix apartments on main street on Kitanomine side
Furano township has some magnificent authentic Japanese restaurants
Furano township has some magnificent authentic Japanese restaurants
Furano Ski Resort has lots of perfectly groomed runs
Furano Ski Resort has lots of perfectly groomed runs
Kitanomine village is a changing landscape
Kitanomine village is a changing landscape
La Vista Furano Hills Hotel in downtown Furano is a great place to stay
La Vista Furano Hills Hotel in downtown Furano is a great place to stay
Ajito bar is a popular hang out at Kitanomine
Ajito bar is a popular hang out at Kitanomine
Dreamy turns at the Furano Ski Resort Japan
Dreamy turns at the Furano Ski Resort Japan
The powder in Furano can be super deep
The powder in Furano can be super deep
Off-piste in Furano Japan
Off-piste in Furano Japan
Furano Japan - the Fenix condos offer quality lodging
Furano Japan - the Fenix condos offer quality lodging
There are plenty of restaurants in downtown Furano Japan
There are plenty of restaurants in downtown Furano Japan
Furano Ski Resort Japan
Furano Ski Resort Japan
The Natulux hotel is a simple but adequate hotel in downtown Furano
The Natulux hotel is a simple but adequate hotel in downtown Furano
The Furano snow can get deep!
The Furano snow can get deep!

Furano Ski Resort

Readers Ratings

Furano

Furano3.5/534
Furano3.5 out of 5 based on 34 reviews
  • Recommend
    82%
  • Would Revisit
    79%

Furano Japan

The Furano Ski Resort in Hokkaido finds a great balance for a Japan ski or snowboard holiday. Furano ski resort has well developed amenities and services, but unlike some Japan ski resorts such as Tomamu, Kiroro or Rusutsu, Furano doesn’t feel too “resortified”. The nearby town of Furano is rather authentic, and both the town and resort provide adequate creature comforts including the ability to cater to English speaking guests, without losing the essence of Japan.

Furano Japan is a fantastic all-rounder with ski and snowboard terrain for all ability levels, off-piste riding, and quality Central Hokkaido powder.

Pros and Cons of Furano Ski Resort

Pros 
  • Furano Japan is very well suited to on-piste riding for beginners through to advanced riders and is a decent sized resort (by Japanese standards).
  • Furano is family friendly and caters reasonably well to English speaking children.
  • It makes a great base to explore nearby ski resorts that are great for powder hounds and guided day trips from Furano are available if booked in advance. And nearby are backcountry areas such as Furano-dake and Tokachidake.
  • Most Japanese ski resorts don’t have enough on offer to keep the interest of advanced and expert riders for more than a few days, yet a powder hound could play at Furano for a while, especially considering the number of day trip options to chase powder.
  • It isn’t fully westernised. It provides a good Japanese cultural experience particularly in the town of Furano, and there are lots of different Japanese restaurants.
  • Furano accommodation offers reasonable value for money and kids 12 and under ski free.
Cons
  • As Furano ticks a lot of boxes, it’s not surprising that it’s become more popular. Lift queues are sometimes problematic, and there are now more people heading into the trees and less freshies on offer.
  • There are very limited Furano onsen opportunities compared to many other ski towns.
Pro or Con Depending on Your Perspective
  • Due to its central Hokkaido location, the quality of the Furano snow is generally even better than the coastal resorts such as Niseko. The volume of snow is somewhat less, but the upside is more fine weather days.

Furano Ski and Snowboard Terrain

Furano Ski Resort is a large ski area by Japanese standards (so it’s not huge!), with 9 lifts and 28 courses (ie marked runs) and 839 metres of vertical (235 - 1,074m), which enabled the resort to be put on the world cup ski racing map.

Furano Japan is renowned for the long groomed runs for beginners through to advanced riders, and whether you like to cruise or want to zoom down runs at Mach 2 until your eyes water, if you like groomers then Furano skiing is rather good. And the lift infrastructure is reasonable, so you’ll get in plenty of skiing or snowboarding each day.

Furano Ski Resort also has piste that are left au naturel. The “Premium Zone” is the steepest run, although the resort doesn’t officially classify this as a course/piste. For advanced and experts the main attraction is the very good off-piste terrain and amazing side-country (easily accessed backcountry) for those with avalanche gear and the know-how.

Furano Snow

Furano receives 9 metres of snow per season on average, which is less than some of the coastal Hokkaido ski resorts such as Niseko and Kiroro. Nevertheless the Furano snow is still often knee deep, commonly waist deep, and we’ve even experienced it neck deep! And the powder is generally delightfully light and fluffy – this is what Central Hokkaido skiing is all about!

The Furano weather is generally more pleasant and there are more blue-sky days than at ski resorts such as Niseko.

Where is Furano Ski Resort?

Furano is located in Central Hokkaido, Japan. Furano is 59km south of Asahikawa (about an hour away) and 141km (by road) northeast of Sapporo.

Furano makes a good base for a ski holiday from which nearby ski areas can be accessed for a day trip such as Kamui, Asahidake, Tomamu, and Sahoro. Or Furano Hokkaido makes a great base to head out on a guided ski tour to nearby backcountry areas. Airport to Furano shuttles:

See the Furano travel page for more location and travel information.

Furano Accommodation

Furano accommodation consists of mostly western style hotels and pensions. Furano also has a range of self-contained accommodation options such as apartments/condos and houses. Furano is less expensive than Niseko accommodation or Rusutsu accommodation, and there are lodgings to suit most budgets.

Furano accommodation listings – see map, pros and cons of different zones, availability and pricing

Family Friendly Japan Ski Resort

As outlined on the family ski holidays Japan page, Furano is somewhat unique in that it can cater for English speaking kids. Child care is available with English speaking staff and ski lessons for children are available with English speaking instructors (either group lessons for ages 6 and up or private lessons). Furano also has various other family friendly activities on offer. As a bonus, kids 12 and under ride on the lifts for free.

Activities

A Furano ski holiday can be well supplemented by a range of activities including backcountry ski tours, snowmobiling, onsen tours, ice hole fishing, or dressing up in a kimono if that’s what takes your fancy!? See the Furano activities for more information.

Tours At or Near Furano

Safari (Road Trip) Tours

Hokkaido Storm Chaser
GUIDED STORM CHASING SAFARI
7 Days | 6 Nights | 6 Ski Areas
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Expert
Chase the storms and access the deepest and best quality snow conditions on the day in the Otaru area and Central Hokkaido's world famous deep dry powder.
Price p/p Displayed price may cary slightly due to exchange rates fluctuations
Base/invoice currency is JPY
Price includes 13% tax.
Base/invoice currency is JPY
Price includes 13% tax.
USD 2,807
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Hokkaido Backcountry Powder Quest
GUIDED BACKCOUNTRY TOUR
7 Nights | 8 Days
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Jump on the Hokkaido Backcountry Powder Quest tour & experience the magical powder wonderland Hokkaido is famous for along with its rich culture & incredible cuisine. Join as a solo, couple or small group; max 6 guests per tour & guaranteed departures.
Price p/p Price per person, based on 2025 group tour
USD 4,499
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Hokkaido Safari
GUIDED POWDER PROGRESSION ROAD TRIP
12 Days | Up to 11 Days Guided Skiing/Riding
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Explore multiple Hokkaido ski areas on this amazing powder progression adventure for advanced to expert skiers & boarders. Locations include the Otaru/Sapporo & Furano ski areas. Groups of up to 4 guests are guided by 1 guide. From price is based on twin share in deluxe western-style room.
Price p/p From price based on double-share room staying at La Vista Furano Hotel & Dormy Inn Premium Otaru; 4 on tour for 2024 season.
Base/invoice currency is in USD inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 4,335
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See all Safari (Road Trip) tours that visit Furano here

Single-Base, Multi-Ski-Area Tours

Furano/Central Hokkaido Experience
LOCAL GUIDED & HOSTED TOUR
7 Nights | 5 Days Guided | 1 Unguided free day | Furano + 4
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Advanced
Experience the best powder that Furano & the Central Hokkaido region has to offer. Venture off-piste in Furano, Kamui, Tomamu, Sahoro & Asahidake with some local guides for the total Central Hokkaido ski/board adventure. It’s their passion to show you what skiing/riding in Japan is all about!
Price p/p From price based on twin/triple-share room for 2024 season.
Base/invoice currency is in JPY inc. taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 1,729
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Central Hokkaido Tour
FULLY GUIDED & HOSTED TOUR
10 Nights | 8 Days Skiing/Riding
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Avoid the crowds and revel in the renowned high quality Central Hokkaido powder at Furano, Asahidake, Kamui Links, and hidden gems such as Pippu, Sahoro and Tomamu. Mostly lift accessed powder hunting, plus the option to do a little hiking to get more goods.
Price p/p From price based on twin/double-share group option for mid season 2024 tours per person.
Base/invoice currency is in Japanese yen inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 2,848
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Guided Day Tours
CENTRAL HOKKAIDO GUIDED DAY TOURS
For private groups of up to 6 participants
Ability: Intermediate to Expert
Looking for a guide for a day or more for yourself and up to 5 other friends from Furano? Terrain focus is off-piste, sidecountry & backcountry at destinations include Furano, Kamui, Asahidake, Tomamu, Pippu & Sahoro. Touring options at Furanodake, Tokahidake & Kurodake available. Enquire for details.
Price p/p
USD 84
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See all Single-Base, Multi-Ski-Area tours that visit Furano here

Backcountry Skiing Tours

Hidden Hokkaido
INTRO TO POWDER/PROGRESSION
9 Days | 8 Nights
Ability: Advanced
Ideal for advanced skiers & riders as an intro to powder or powder progression. Head to the best of the Hokkaido ski resorts from the bases of Niseko & Furano & get guided to the best lift-accessed powder stashes.
Price p/p
USD 3,752
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High Earnings
BACKCOUNTRY POWDER CHASING
8 Nights | 7 Guided Days
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Enter the powder room! Visit some of Hokkaido's most remote locations and best backcountry zones. This trip has a backcountry touring focus and the skins will probably go on every day but your group will be within reach of ski resorts if the weather isn't suitable for touring or the lift accessed pow looks too good!
Price p/p From price based on twin/triple-share 2023-24 season.
Price per person for a group of 5 with 1 guide for 9 day package. Base/invoice currency is in JPY inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 2,472
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Hokkaido Backcountry Tour
GUIDED BACKCOUNTRY TOURING
9 Nights | 8 Days Touring
Ability: Expert
Earn your turns with backcountry touring. Flexibility is the key & the trip will go where the best untouched lines are, from the Daisetsu National Park in the North to the crater of Mt Yotei near Niseko.
Price p/p From price based on twin share option for group tour for 2024 season. Min 3 guests required to run tour.
Base/invoice currency is in Japanese yen inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 2,915
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See all Backcountry Skiing tours that visit Furano here
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