Travel to Furano with ski insurance from Essential Travel

Situated in the centre of Hokkaido Island, Furano ski resort has been the venue of the FIS World Cup several times and encompasses two mountains and more than 20 quality pistes suitable for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. The snow here is light and of a dry powdery-type, while the views and visibility are amazing and the ski lift lines are short.

Furano ski resort boasts two quality ski schools, the Furano and the Furano Prince Hotel ski schools. The English speaking ski and snowboard instructors are well trained to teach everything up to expert level. Furano has a wealth of skier services and facilities at the base including equipment rental and purchase shops, cafés and first-aid.

There are 22 pistes at Furano ski resort that traverse nearly 17 miles of wide and well-groomed terrain over a 3,142-foot vertical. The longest run at Furano is two and a half miles and there are 14 ski lifts providing slope access, including a gondola, quads and single lifts. There is a large area for intermediate skiers at the bottom of the mountain, while there is tougher, steeper terrain higher up.

Accommodation at Furano ski resort comes in a variety of styles and budgets ranging from numerous pensions to bed and breakfasts, traditional inns and small hotels as well as the upmarket New Prince Hotel. You can also find plenty of accommodation choices in town. Après-ski options are also good at Furano, with plentiful restaurants and bars at both the resort and in town.

The nearest decent alternative ski resort is to the southwest in Niseko, but travelling to this resort entails a lengthy drive. Other options away from the slopes include the nearby hot springs, while there is a quaint area where you will find many art and crafts shops near the mountain. Additionally, nearby Asahikawa has one of Japans best zoos.

Furano ski season runs from late November to May, with the best snow conditions and cheaper tickets for seniors and children available from January to March. For convenience, flying to Asahikawa and transferring to the resort by hire car is the easiest travel option to the resort.

Skiing in Furano

Furano ski resort offers more than 20 pistes over two mountains that are suitable for everyone from beginner to expert level; off-piste thrill seekers will enjoy the steep, powder runs, while learners will enjoy the shallow, well-groomed slopes. The snow here is superb and ski lift lines are short, while accommodation and entertainment facilities are excellent.

Seventeen miles of quality pistes run down a 3,142-foot vertical and there are 22 slopes, the longest of which is a commendable two and a half miles. Advanced and expert skiers and snowboarders have some excellent, steep slopes at the top as well as off-piste, while beginners and intermediates have plenty of terrain farther down the mountain. A gondola, quads and single chairlifts provide slope access.

Alternative, non-ski activities at Furano ski resort include snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, dog sledding, ballooning, ski powder touring, nature trekking and pond smelt fishing. There is also Snow Land for the kids at the base of the mountain, with tubing and banana boat riding available. More than 100 restaurants and bars make for busy après-ski at the resort and in the town.

Resort facilities include two ski schools, well-equipped rental stores and shops and medical services, while accommodation at Furano ski resort can be found at numerous pensions, inns and hotels, of which the New Prince Hotel is the most luxurious.

The best snow conditions can be found in January, February and March of the November to May ski season at Furano ski resort, while cheaper tickets and discounts for children and seniors are available at the beginning and the end of season. Flying to Asahikawa and driving to Furano is convenient, while taking a bus or private shuttle from Asahikawa is also an option.

Transportation to Furano

Lying in the centre of Hokkaido Island about 700 miles north of Tokyo, Furano ski resort is easy to access from a number of destinations and airports via train and bus. Viable travel options include flying to either Sapporo or Asahikawa and then taking a bus or hiring a car to get to Furano ski resort.

Visitors who drive from Sapporo-Shin-Chitose Airport will need to head east to Hidake along the Chitose expressway and highway 274. From Hidake, highway 237 goes north to Furano and the ski resort is well signposted from the there.

By train from Sapporo-Shin-Chitose Airport, you traverse the city of Sapporo and then take an express train to Takikawa, before heading to Furano on a local train, a 3-hour journey in total. Services are frequent with no long waiting between changes.

Flying to Asahikawa from Tokyo and then transferring to Furano ski resort by bus is the most practical way to reach the resort. There are eight buses per day from Asahikawa to the resort, a one-hour journey. Sapporo-Shin-Chitose Airport also receives regular flights from Tokyo and has frequent bus departures to Furano, a three-hour journey.

Buses from Asahikawa Airport to Furano ski resort leave throughout the day from 10:10 to 19:45 and run to all hotels and lodgings. Private shuttle buses also depart from Sapporo-Shin-Chitose Airport to Furano and are faster than buses and more convenient if you are travelling as a group or large family. Furano Taxi and Chuo Hire can be pre-booked and will pick you up at either airport.

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