Tubby Beaver 209 Posted November 15, 2012 Share Posted November 15, 2012 Thursday, I thought you were a dyed in the wool Nisekoite.....branching out to the Furano? Link to post Share on other sites
Alexander L 80 Posted November 15, 2012 Share Posted November 15, 2012 Furano is being marketed as the next Niseko. Somehow I don't see it. The snow is less, it's not "frontier" and when you mention Furano in a coctail reception, you get "where?" Link to post Share on other sites
greatplaces 0 Posted November 15, 2012 Share Posted November 15, 2012 Can someone please tell me where about I should stay in Furano? Near the JR station or near the Furano zone side? My fear is that since I don't drive, I will have to be at the mercy of some local bus if I need to go downtown to get some nice sushi! Please help. Link to post Share on other sites
Alexander L 80 Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 greatplaces, you'll get a lot of info from reading the pages above. And a great report from surfarthur here: http://www.snowjapanforums.com/index.php/topic/21234-furano-and-rusutsu-trip-reprt-january-2012/ Link to post Share on other sites
greatplaces 0 Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 Well, that' good information but alittle vague. Well I come to the conclusion that it may be better to stay nearer to the JR station. Link to post Share on other sites
surfarthur 22 Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 Your best bet would be to stay in the kitanomine village area, there are plenty of good restaurants there and you will be a short walk away from the kitanomine lifts. I reckon the Furano zone has better slopes but you can get there quite easily from kitanomine, and if you feel like you need to try the restaurants in Furano town, a taxi from kitanomine will not be too expensive. The JR station is well away from the slopes, but I am sure there will be a bus that you can catch from there. You are right about the Furano zone side though, there is only really the prince hotel there, so not a lot of variety for food etc. Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted November 17, 2012 Share Posted November 17, 2012 Furano is being marketed as the next Niseko. Somehow I don't see it. The snow is less, it's not "frontier" and when you mention Furano in a coctail reception, you get "where?" Plus it's got far less terrain and they'd have to change their off-piste policy! That said, I'll hopefully be back up there in Feb. Can someone please tell me where about I should stay in Furano? Near the JR station or near the Furano zone side? My fear is that since I don't drive, I will have to be at the mercy of some local bus if I need to go downtown to get some nice sushi! Please help. Depends on what your priorities are. If you're there just for the skiing/boarding, then as Surfarthur says, stay in Kitanomine as it's the most convenient place for the slopes and has a fair selection of restaurants. If you're there for a winter holiday with a bit of skiing but other stuff besides, then Furano town centre might be a better option for you. There is an ok-ish bus service between the two and you can also walk it but it gets bloody cold, especially walking over the bridge! Have a good trip! Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted November 17, 2012 Share Posted November 17, 2012 You can put a coat on at night though, Mick. Doesn't need to be naked ALL day. Link to post Share on other sites
Alexander L 80 Posted November 17, 2012 Share Posted November 17, 2012 Furano is being marketed as the next Niseko. Somehow I don't see it. The snow is less, it's not "frontier" and when you mention Furano in a coctail reception, you get "where?" Plus it's got far less terrain and they'd have to change their off-piste policy! That said, I'll hopefully be back up there in Feb. Can someone please tell me where about I should stay in Furano? Near the JR station or near the Furano zone side? My fear is that since I don't drive, I will have to be at the mercy of some local bus if I need to go downtown to get some nice sushi! Please help. Depends on what your priorities are. If you're there just for the skiing/boarding, then as Surfarthur says, stay in Kitanomine as it's the most convenient place for the slopes and has a fair selection of restaurants. If you're there for a winter holiday with a bit of skiing but other stuff besides, then Furano town centre might be a better option for you. There is an ok-ish bus service between the two and you can also walk it but it gets bloody cold, especially walking over the bridge! Have a good trip! Yes, a winter holiday, to take in all the sights of Furano would be better served by car. And of course, you'll see more if it was summer. Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted November 18, 2012 Share Posted November 18, 2012 Summer's good up there with the lavender fields and heso matsuri (see above) but on a clear, winter's day, the mountains (as opposed to the ski hills) look fantastic. & if you have the time (and patience), you can get around ok by local bus and train. The staff at the tourist info offices next to the JR station and up at the Kitanomine gondola speak English and will help you out with times, maps and sometimes discount vouchers. Link to post Share on other sites
greatplaces 0 Posted November 18, 2012 Share Posted November 18, 2012 Thank you everyone. It's good information, geezzz... I didn't know the people at snowjapan are so nice... Link to post Share on other sites
surfarthur 22 Posted November 18, 2012 Share Posted November 18, 2012 Well, just be sure to tell us about your trip, always keen to hear about other peoples snow adventures Also, take some cheese... http://www.snowjapanforums.com/index.php/topic/16348-cheesemans-cheese-at-resorts-gallery/page Link to post Share on other sites
greatplaces 0 Posted November 18, 2012 Share Posted November 18, 2012 Yes, sure. Will do. Hey, just one more question. While looking up on google map, I noticed that there is ski resort called Biei cho min. But I checked on snowjapan resorts, there weren't such a resort. Not even on google, not much info. Anyone heard anything? Link to post Share on other sites
surfarthur 22 Posted November 18, 2012 Share Posted November 18, 2012 Looks like that place has about 60m of vertical and 1 rope tow. If you are looking for a bit of variety near to Furano, you might want to consider Kamui ski links or Tomamu resort instead. I believe you can get shuttles to both of these resorts from Furano. Link to post Share on other sites
greatplaces 0 Posted November 18, 2012 Share Posted November 18, 2012 Surfarthur, I've been to Tomamu, nice place, very quiet and good quality snow. But it's a bit pricey $$$, lift ticket, ski rentals, food...etc kind of expensive. Overall a nice place, relaxing, and nice food in the Forest Mall. Kamui ski link, not yet, will go this trip. Anyway, you guys are awesome, I'll report back after my trip...Cheers . Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted November 18, 2012 Share Posted November 18, 2012 Yes, sure. Will do. Hey, just one more question. While looking up on google map, I noticed that there is ski resort called Biei cho min. But I checked on snowjapan resorts, there weren't such a resort. Not even on google, not much info. Anyone heard anything? There are lots of local, one-slope, one-lift, ski hills scattered around Hokkaido and that's one of them. Definitely not worth bothering with, unlike Kamui Ski Links which is excellent. Alpine Backpackers runs a shuttle bus there 2 or 3 times a week. Link to post Share on other sites
Alexander L 80 Posted November 18, 2012 Share Posted November 18, 2012 yeah, don't bother with Biei for skiing. It's only rolling hills and beautiful pastures (under snow) Besides Kamui, try also Asahidake. Close to Furano but I was driving. Link to post Share on other sites
greatplaces 0 Posted November 18, 2012 Share Posted November 18, 2012 Thanks for the info. Sure, I'll give Biei a miss. But I am only a beginner kind of snowboarder and Ok-ish skier so Asahidake and Kurodake are out for me. Since on this subject, in the winter, is Sounkyo worth a visit? I know that in the Summer everyone enjoys the great hike across those two mountains. Link to post Share on other sites
kokodoko 67 Posted November 19, 2012 Author Share Posted November 19, 2012 i think Sounkyo is closed during winter. but not sure. Link to post Share on other sites
Alexander L 80 Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 greatplaces, have you been to Niseko? Link to post Share on other sites
greatplaces 0 Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 Yes, I've Hirafu and Niseko village. Hirafu was a total disappointment to me. As I am a beginner boarder, I found it very tough, and to add to the disappointment, there were so many people at the family course, Singaporean, Hong Kong people....Why? Link to post Share on other sites
greatplaces 0 Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 kokodoko, sounkyo close!? I'm really surprise. But if it's true then I better confirm that and not make my way there. Link to post Share on other sites
surfarthur 22 Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 I found Furano to be very quiet, so you shouldn't have any issues finding some space to learn. The bottom area of both sides offer extensive green slopes, and as you gain confidence, you can go up a bit higher and try some of the reds. Are you planning on taking lessons? There are english speaking ski/snowboard schools at both Kitanomine zone and Furano zone. Link to post Share on other sites
kokodoko 67 Posted November 20, 2012 Author Share Posted November 20, 2012 kokodoko, sounkyo close!? I'm really surprise. But if it's true then I better confirm that and not make my way there. yes, you better check. I wanted to go there but found out that it was closed. forget where the info is now.. doh! Link to post Share on other sites
Alexander L 80 Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 Yes, I've Hirafu and Niseko village. Hirafu was a total disappointment to me. As I am a beginner boarder, I found it very tough, and to add to the disappointment, there were so many people at the family course, Singaporean, Hong Kong people....Why? Why? Perhaps they were beginners too wanting to use the family run. Link to post Share on other sites
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