-30deg
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Posts posted by -30deg
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Originally Posted By: -30deg
Alot has been said about ropes etc. Most Japanese ski areas start out with strict policies, and gradually relax over time. Furano was very strict about 3 years ago. Things have relaxed since then. Last season there were people to be seen everywhere through the trees.
Just wanted to added a comment to this so there is no misunderstandings. While the ski area still says off piste is a no go, enforcement it would seem has been relaxed and off piste tours are being offered on Furano Ski Area by Hokkaido Powder Guides this coming season. Several runs are ungroomed on the ski area itself and this season another course will be left ungroomed after fresh snow falls. -
In some ways the debate is irrelevant as both Niseko and Furnao are very very good destinations, both offer top quality snow, but each place has its own distinct atmosphere. Whichever place people go to I am sure they will enjoy thenmselves.
A few notes about Furano:
A little different from Niseko in that the ski area is actually in Furano City. You can walk from the lifts to the main part of the city in 20 minutes. The city has a vibrant bar/restaurant life. The restaurant are owned by locals and cater to locals, so you are getting the real deal. No Australianised menus and no inflated prices.
Nearby to Furano are the resorts of Kamui Ski Links and Tomamu Resort. A Furano lift pass can be used at these resorts (conditions apply). Regular shuttle services run day trips to these resorts.
Alot has been said about ropes etc. Most Japanese ski areas start out with strict policies, and gradually relax over time. Furano was very strict about 3 years ago. Things have relaxed since then. Last season there were people to be seen everywhere through the trees.
Niseko has the famous name. Everyone goes to Niseko because everyone else goes. Furano is often at first a second choice destination but once discovered people often find what they have really been looking for; a ski vacation in a real Japanese setting.
In my 3 years of skiing Furano I haven't had to ski in white out conditions yet. The weather is very stable and Furano has the ability to delivered a constant trickle of snow but keep visibility perfect. It can be a blue sky day with a contact trickle of snow.
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Temp is down to -3. Thats why the roads are covered.
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It has been snowing in Furano all day. The precipitation has gotten more intense and temperatures have lowered. The roads are now covered.
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If you were starting off in Furano you can fly into Asahikawa Airport and then it is about 60 minutes on the bus to Furano. Alpine Backpackers as mentioned already are cheap and located just down from the lifts.
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Furano is a very popular resort for families. Easy access from Asahikawa Airpor of New Chitose Airport.
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A trip to nearby Asahikawa City would be your best bet.
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Regular day trip bus services run from Furano to Kamui Ski Links and Tomamu Resort. There is also Asahidake which is a cable car running up the side of a volcano. Some Furano lift passes enable you to ski at Tomamu or Kamui for free.
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Well I can genuinly say it is around 30cm. Measured it in several places on the road and around my house with a tape measure.
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Changed mine last night. A 3 hour ordeal as car rolled forward, sliped off jack, jamming jack on 45 deg angle under car and 1 wheel also on 45 deg. This technique is not recommended. But sucha are the hazards of living on a hill. Anyway all done by darkness. Just as well as started dumping with snow in Furano after midnight. Still going almost 24 hours later. About 30 cm on the ground.
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Still coming down absolutely furiously.
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I myself would not spend alot of extra money to rank up to the top model in bindings. The top models usually have extreme DIN settings for racing - not necessary for most people.
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Thanks for the help so far. You are right in ICI basically carring only carvers...a mystery given essentially they carry everyting in shop.
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Started snowing in the early hours of the morning. Continues to absolutely dump down. The snow flakes are just huge. Everything is blanketed in snow, roads are covered. Ground temperatures are cool and the snow is settling on the ground. The forecast is for snow, snow, snow. This is it...winter is here with a bang.
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I need to buy some new skis. DOes anyone know of an online site that I can order from in Japan. All help appreciated.
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Furano Ski Area will open on 22 November.
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Sounds like we are moving towards a situation of the world vs Japanese government. If world sentiment is to buy yen, the govt intervention effects will be short lived and very costly to the nation.
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Yes Rythm and Beats will be setting up on the Kitanomine side of the resort this winter.
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The yen is viewed as a low risk currency. So in times of volitile markets and exchange rates people buy yen. Think of it as a way of insuring yourself over other high risk currencies. When demand for a currency goes up so does the price...hence then yen has become stronger.
High risk, high yield currencies such as the AUD and NZD(highest interest rates in the world) have attracted Japanese investors for the last few years. Why? because interest rates in Japan are almost zero and they can earn high interest in these far off lands. This created a demand for the NZD and AUD, and this pushed up the price..NZD and AUD became expensive.
Once the global economic crisis took hold investors decided that they would rather not have their assets in a foreign land with a high risk currency. Hence the AUD and NZD were sold off by these same investors. When everyone sells something the price goes down.
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There are rental shops under the gondola terminal in the Kitanomine Zone and at the ropeway station in the Furano Zone, they do skis, snowboards, and clothing.
Other rental shops also operate. They also do snowboards and clothing.
There are 2 ski schools operating on the mountain. Both provide snowboard lessons.
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Second hand stuff in general has little value in Japan. Tracking down a pair of second hand skis could eat up valuable time. Where are you heading?　 If you are in a resort ask a rental shop how much to buy a pair of skis from them. I had several clients do this last season.
Had a friend who bought a pair of carving skis from a rental shop for 10,000 yen. Intermediate level skis, about 3-4 years old.
It may be almost as cost effective to buy new. If your looking for intermediate skis large chain sports stores have really good deals. I am thinking of places like Alpen, Xebio, Sports Depot etc.
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Wear what the locals wear...winter gumboots with a sole for snow and ice and fully insulated. Available in any shoe shop in winter for around 4000-6000 yen. Best to avoid hiking boots or anything with laces.
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Furano's opening will be 22 November.
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Have you considered Furano in Central Hokkaido. It is a popular destination for family ski trips. Furano is only 60 minutes from Asahikawa airport. Night skiing is available on both sides of the mountain. The majority of accomodation is within a close walk of the slopes (very important for children). There are also ski-in, ski-out accomodation options.
Early season skiing in Hokkaido
in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry
Posted
Furano is planning to open on Nov 21. That will depend on what snow mother nature can deliver this week.