Niseko vs Furano

[aries]

Hi there,

I've been to Niseko many times, and as many here said, it gets cold up the mountain and gets windy so that you often can't ski from Hirafu to Annupuri. Also, the village now becomes a colonial and lost some of its Japanese touch.

I have never been to Furano but always love to go at least once. I hestitate everytime and would bound for Niseko because the lack of hotspring accommodation there. I mean the one at the foot of the mountain so that you can sooth your ache after skiing.

But I heard from recent post that Furano is a great place for skiing and a Japanese couple living in HK keeping returning every year.

Could anyone tell me:
1, Is Furano good for, say 3-4 of skiing?
2, Is hotspring accessible after skiing?
3, How does it compare with Niseko, in terms of size, variety of terrains and lift modernization?
4, food?

Thank you in advance

[skier]

See discussions from our old HKSSA fourm:

http://220.232.208.148:8080/viewtopic.php?t=7520&sid=31640ffd2935da45a1d051d67da5ea21

Here is what I reported:

Just got back from Furano. I like this ski resort very much. While we were there, it was mostly calm and nice weather in the day time (except Dec. 29 when we were leaving) and great snow.

I have been to Niseko (may be 7 times over the past 20 years). Niseko is over-rated. It is windy, cold, bare, and crowded.

For Hokkaido, I have also been to Sohoro, Tomamu, Rusutsu and now, Furano.

My favourates are Rusutsu and Furano.

Furano has two Zones: Furano Zone and Kitanomine Zone. The new Prince is in Furano Zone. The 2 zones are connected. I like the slopes of the Furano Zone better.

The room rate over X'mas is very resonable at 20,000 yen for a twin room including breakfast.

It is about 10 to 15 minutes by car to the town where there are many restaurants.

I have compiled a 5-minute video (scenery only) of the Furano Zone:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZ_Y-h_c3Q0

[yauyauyen]

Thanks skiier, I am thinking of visiting Furano this winter too. Do you think it is suitable for snowboarder too?

[skier]

Thanks skiier, I am thinking of visiting Furano this winter too. Do you think it is suitable for snowboarder too?

Should be good for snowboarder too. Many snowboarders there.

[Nana]

Hi Skier,

Do you suggest a beginner to go to Furano? I've been to snowboarding 3 times but still a "very" beginner. Will Naeba / Niseko be better for beginner?

[skier]

Hi Skier,

Do you suggest a beginner to go to Furano? I've been to snowboarding 3 times but still a "very" beginner. Will Naeba / Niseko be better for beginner?

I think you will find Furano better. It is also not as crowded as Naeba and Niseko.

[Nana]

Thanks Skier. I think I should plan a trip to Furano. :)

[skier]

Thanks Skier. I think I should plan a trip to Furano. :)

As I have posted:

Furano has two Zones: Furano Zone and Kitanomine Zone. The new Prince is in Furano Zone. The 2 zones are connected. I like the slopes of the Furano Zone better.
The room rate over X'mas is very resonable at 20,000 yen for a twin room including breakfast.

So I recommended you to stay at the New Furano Prince Hotel.

Here is the email address of Prince regional office in Singapore that you can make reservation with:

rsvn@princehotels.com.sg

[macng]

I would fully agree with skier that New Furano Prince Hotel is excellent choice. It is a ski-in/ski-out hotel. They have ski/snowboard lockers for ther clients: one room, one locker. There is an in-door swimming pool and a hot bath (not hot spring). The drawback is that the room is relatively small.

I have also tried the Furano Prince Hotel (the old one) on the other side. It is very old and relative dirty. It is not recommened.

There are other choices in Furano. You may book some family hotels around the ski area. They offer excellent package at about 10,000yen per night per person including breakfast and dinner. I have not tried them personally but feedback from my friends are very positive.

Regarding the slopes, there is a narrow connection between the two ski areas. Look up the time carefully. It will be closed much earlier than the other parts of the ski areas. If you miss it, the taxi will cost you a lot.

For the snow quality, it is very very excellent: smooth powder. There are also some ungroomed areas (marked slopes rather than off-piste) for those who like powder feel but unwilling to take risk for off-piste.

There are some good onsen (hot spring) around: pure natural water; hot enough to remove pain after ski/snowboarding. However, you need to have a car and drive for 30 to 60 min to reach them, bearing in mind that it gets dark from 5:00pm.

[dirtbiker]

i ve been niseko twice. It is very windy and the visibility is poor in garden as well as on top of the mountain. i am thinking of going to furano this winter after your valuable advices ,thanks.

[dirtbiker]

i think hirafu is the only mountain that worth playing in niseko. higashiyama and annupuri is not a good place for snowboarding and skiing. getting bored after snowboarding in hirafu twice. one the route from garden to main skiing site is flat and long, never take this route, it surely:mad: kill you, esp if you are snowboarder.

[Mattb]

See discussions from our old HKSSA fourm:

http://220.232.208.148:8080/viewtopic.php?t=7520&sid=31640ffd2935da45a1d051d67da5ea21

Here is what I reported:

Just got back from Furano. I like this ski resort very much. While we were there, it was mostly calm and nice weather in the day time (except Dec. 29 when we were leaving) and great snow.

I have been to Niseko (may be 7 times over the past 20 years). Niseko is over-rated. It is windy, cold, bare, and crowded.

For Hokkaido, I have also been to Sohoro, Tomamu, Rusutsu and now, Furano.

My favourates are Rusutsu and Furano.

Furano has two Zones: Furano Zone and Kitanomine Zone. The new Prince is in Furano Zone. The 2 zones are connected. I like the slopes of the Furano Zone better.

The room rate over X'mas is very resonable at 20,000 yen for a twin room including breakfast.

It is about 10 to 15 minutes by car to the town where there are many restaurants.

I have compiled a 5-minute video (scenery only) of the Furano Zone:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZ_Y-h_c3Q0

Hi Skier, I think we were both on one of Ryann's trips this year, to Shiga Kogen??

Do youkow if there are there any problems with skiing off piste at Furano? Do they allow this, or is it all out of bounds?

Any idea if they are tough on enforcment, eg, taking away tickets etc?

Thanks

Mattb

[Mattb]

whoops, I meant to say "do you know"

[Mike]

Hi Skier, I think we were both on one of Ryann's trips this year, to Shiga Kogen??

Do you know if there are there any problems with skiing off piste at Furano? Do they allow this, or is it all out of bounds?

Any idea if they are tough on enforcment, eg, taking away tickets etc?

Thanks

Mattb

Matt,

I think we were in the same trip to Shiga Kogen as well. :)

I believe there are areas in Niseko and Furano, that still have "Strictly Off Limits" (meaning stay the hell out of this area) warnings, as the Japanese still do not do avalanche control with canons and bombing so these bowls are closed at all times.

[Mattb]

Matt,

I think we were in the same trip to Shiga Kogen as well. :)

I believe there are areas in Niseko and Furano, that still have "Strictly Off Limits" (meaning stay the hell out of this area) warnings, as the Japanese still do not do avalanche control with canons and bombing so these bowls are closed at all times.

Hi Mike, yes, I remember, there were a lot of keen skiers/boarders on that trip. And we were so lucky with the snow!:)

Does Furano have any tree skiing like there was at Shiga kogen? It was "out of bounds" but since there were so many ski and board tracks everywhere, and not just ours, that it seemed it was not strictly policed. I went to Niseko once. I agree, they are very careful about the bowls there. And they probably need to be.

[Mike]

Matt

I haven't skied at Furano, so I will leave it with John to answer your question.

We are returning to Shiga Kogen end Feb/ early March for another week of fun. :)

[skier]

Mattb

Well, for one thing I think we should post our photo and real name on our '個人資料' page;
otherwise, it is difficult to know who you are. I am surprised that Mike remembers who you are.

If you look at the video that I presented, there are many trees, but I did not venture off piste to the trees as you younger guys do :)

[Mattb]

Mattb

Well, for one thing I think we should post our photo and real name on our '個人資料' page;
otherwise, it is difficult to know who you are. I am surprised that Mike remembers who you are.

If you look at the video that I presented, there are many trees, but I did not venture off piste to the trees as you younger guys do :)


Avatar and photo up - not sure that it helps

Matt

[Mike]

otherwise, it is difficult to know who you are. I am surprised that Mike remembers who you are. :)

I always remember pretty girls and good skiers :D :)