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Furano Ski Holidays

At a glance

  • Snowsure
  • Authentic Japanese town
  • Beautiful Onsens

Great for

  • Off-piste
  • Non-skiers

Ski Holidays in Furano

Furano, right at Hokkaido’s navel, arguably has Japan’s best snow with backcountry leading to volcanoes, relaxing public baths and neck-deep powder. A resort that’s hosted 12 FIS World Cups is doing something right in the ski stakes, but what makes you come back is bustling, beautiful Furano town.

Furano Stats

Top Altitude
1209m / 3967ft
Bottom Altitude
245m / 804ft
Resort Altitude
245m / 804ft
Total Piste
469.5 acres / 23 runs
Longest Run
4km / 2.5 miles
Slope Orientation
E N
Vertical Drop
964m / 3163ft
Skiable Vertical
Night Skiing
Yes
Glacier Skiing
No

Hokkaido is an island of super snowy resorts, and Furano sits at its geographical centre, one of the biggest and the best. From the top of the slopes, you’ll squint a bit at the world of white before you, as eyes take in the endless expanses of the Daisetsu-zan National Park and craggy Tokachi Peak mountain range. Blanketed in 9m of snow a year, this region is home to some of the best powder skiing on earth. Check out it’s steeper stuff in Shaun White’s Big in Japan movie.

Japan has a funny relationship with off-piste. Many places will confiscate your lift pass if you’re caught at it… But not Furano (anymore, at any rate…). And surrounded by other off-piste paradises Sahoro, Kamui, Asahidake, Tokachidake and Tomamu, it makes a good base for day trips out on a powder pilgrimage. Regular bus services, running to Japanese-levels of efficiency, pass between resorts to keep things convenient.

That said, Furano itself deserves your undivided attention. Split between 2 “zones” with 2 base villages (Furano and Kitanomine), the resort does well on the bar, restaurant and off-slope activities front. It’s trump card is that it sits just above Furano City, a beautifully authentic town, managing to combine Japanese essence (genuine onsens at every turn, tea houses, thermal baths, theatrical performances...) with widely spoken English. Holidays feel like cultural experiences, not just ski sessions, and we say while you’re here go big. Don a kimono, visit local shrines, and don’t miss karaoke…

Winter Sports Ratings

Beginners

Intermediate

Advanced

Snowboarding

Furano Transfer Times

New Chitose Airport 2 hrs

The nearest airport to Furano is Sapporo Chitose at 150 km or about ? by car

What's the ski area like in Furano?

Divided into two (the Furano and Kitanomine) zones, this resort is renowned for long groomers for all abilities, that you can choose to cruise or plummet down at Mach 2. Fast lifts (including the fastest in Japan) mean the thighs are going to take a beating – especially if you’re heading through backcountry gates and into this resort’s ever-expanding off-piste. Though not yet on the level of Niseko, Furano opens more and more of its “out-of-bounds areas” by the year. It’s a good thing so many soothing hot springs await for afters.

40% of the mountain is rated beginner terrain, and the base areas of both sides of the mountain have wide gentle courses (usually serviced by free lifts). There is also a beginner’s area at the top of the Ropeway cable car, so that beginner skiers and boarders can ski at altitude and get in on the views Japan is known for. Classes in English are available and recommended, previously with “First Timer” programs with the ski schools at either base village.

Such sure snow, long cruisers and fantastic fall-line skiing make Furano a dream for an intermediate. Look out for the local English-speaking ski hosts who’ll happily share this mountain’s secrets with you. Long ungroomed sections like Sailer C provide challenges and a downhill course that the World Cup has regularly been held on is a great one for energising morning dashes.

For advanced skiers there are a few steeps - though on the whole, Japan isn’t known for them. The main attraction is the off-piste terrain and awesome side-country (AKA easily accessed backcountry). Not banned like elsewhere in Japan, 5 different operators offer guided backcountry tours, a worthy investment – if just to be sure you aren’t flouting any local rules. A powder hound could easily play at Furano for a couple of weeks, especially considering the number of day trip options to other local powder fields - a rarity in this part of the world.

Often open till 8, night skiing is another big local pastime, and on both sides of the mountain you can ski almost to the door of some bars.

Which other ski resorts are near to Furano?

The nearest ski resorts to Furano include Niseko, Sahoro.

Ski Area Facts

LocationHokkaido, Japan
Established1977
Downhill469.5 acres / 23 runs
Lift Pass¥5,200 (adult 1 day)

Beginner Slopes

40%

Intermediate Skiing

40%

Advance & Expert Terrain

20%

Snowboarding Trails

469.5 acres / 23 runs100%

Furano Restaurants

Furano Après Ski

Furano Activites for Non-skiers

Clothing Food & Souvenir Shops

Furano Package Ski Holidays

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Best Time to Visit Furano

Furano benefits from Siberian storms which sweep over the Sea of Japan and smother Hokkaido in the lightest and driest snow – an average of 9 waist-deep meters (355 inches) of the stuff each season. Unlike coastal resorts Niseko and Rusutsu, this far from the coast the skies are usually blue and strong winds are rare. Temperatures, however, can be more bitter. The best part of the Furano ski season for powder is in early January through to late February, when the mercury hovers between a biting -5 and -12°C. This isn’t all bad – bringing with it natural phenomena like snow crystals that glitter on trees ("hoar frost”) and moisture in the air that crystallises and sparkles in the sun ("diamond dust"). You’ll also find a packed events calendar, with highlights like the annual Snow Festival. Wrap up to the eyeballs and enjoy!

What's Furano like at Christmas?

For something a little different this year, spend Christmas in Furano where delicious local foods, traditional onsens and the lightest, driest powder in Japan are the perfect present to yourself.

What's Furano like in the New Year?

The crowds brave the elements for New Year in Furano with music, fireworks and in previous years, mass games of rock, paper, scissors… Once you’ve tested out the powder, your New Year’s resolution will most probably be to come back.

What's Furano like in Half-Term?

As the absolute best time for neck-deep pow, Half Term in Furano’s worth going the extra mile for. A resort with this much going on for families, without being overrun, is one in a million.

What's Furano like at Easter?

Temperatures warm, but the snow is usually still going strong at Easter in Furano making this one of few spots for late season powder skiing, and convenient bus routes to chase the best snow through the mountains.

Furano Snow Conditions

Snow Report, History & Forecast

View our detailed Furano snow report to see skiing confitions now. Our Furano snow history shows you what snow depths have been in recent years month-by-month. If you're visiting soon, use the Furano snow forecast to see predicted snowfall over the coming days.

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  • Current snow depth at base
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Ski Accommodation in Furano

We have 2 ski holidays in Furano. Search all Furano ski deals or pick your preferred accommodation type below:

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Furano is rather unique in Japan in that it caters for English speaking kids, with English-speaking childcare (for all from 1-year-old) and day-care-lesson combos with English-speaking instructors for all up to 5. All great news, because it would be a crying shame to miss out on all that’s going on at this resort for the sake of a language barrier. If that wasn't enough, under twelves usually get free lift passes, which can save you bundles.

Family Snow Land in the Furano Zone is practically an entire resort for families, where the young and once young can experience activities like snowmobile rides, snow rafting, bouncy castles, snow banana boat rides, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, tubing (on Japan’s longest run) and sledding. Pottering about downtown or the Ningle Terrace, feasting on local treats like “baked milk” and taking trips to nearby Asahiyama Zoo’s famous penguin parade, make for hours of fun in an exciting new country.

To seal the deal, this resort has always offered free lift passes for 12 year olds and under.

24 runs may not sound like loads – but factor in the backcountry and off-piste and Furano is a whole other ballgame. Incredibly light dry powder snow, frequent bluebird days, and terrain to keep 5 backcountry guide operators in business, is enough to make a pack of powderhounds slobber at the mouth. And the action here isn’t all saved for boards and skis. With such epic adventures as snow mobiling, motorised paragliding, snow kiting, tree climbing and the hot springs to congregate in after all this exertion, a trip to Furano is one you’ll be looking back on for donkeys’ years.

The less energetic will lose track of time with activities like pottery classes at Café Nora, going up in hot air balloons and testing out the Japanese at everyone’s favourite Robata restaurant in town. Don’t leave without doing as locals do and belting out a few tunes together at Dream House Kingyo.

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Ski Extras

How much is a ski pass in Furano

Maximum and minimum adult Furano lift pass prices ranged from ? to ? for 6 days access to the Furano ski lift system at the start of the 2025 winter season. Our lift passes are part of a packaged Furano holiday with accommodation, so prices vary depending on chalet or hotel suppliers. Confirm price for the lift ticket before booking your holiday.

Lift Tickets Child Adult Senior
1 Day Price N / A N / A N / A
6 Day Price N / A N / A N / A
Age Range N / A N / A N / A
Furano Packages + Extras

Getting to Furano

Most of our ski holidays to Furano packaged with flights include airport transfers. We can also arrange private transfers to Furano from nearby airports

How long does it take to fly to Furano from the UK?

This table shows approximate transfer times to Furano from the nearest airports, smaller airports can be more prone to delays.

Airport Distance Transfer Time
Sapporo Chitose 150 km ?
Packages with Plane Train or Car

How long is the transfer from nearest Japan train station to Furano?

The transfer time from alpine train stations are generally shorter than from airports, Call us for details of Furano transfers.

Station Distance Transfer Time
Furano 5 km 5 minutes
Ski Train Holidays

Furano Maps

Furano piste map
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Furano Ski Holiday Resources

Need help choose your Furano ski holiday? Call us on 020 7770 6888 or click Enquire - we love to help!

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Similar Ski Resorts to Furano in Japan

Japan Ski Holiday Resorts

Every Sno holiday packaged with flights is ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. All our suppliers are ATOL bonded, so your money is safe. In addition to this, payments for your holiday are held in trust, by NatWest bank and the Travel Trust, who insure every booking against supplier failure.

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