Niseko Vs Furano

[tactic 0]

Sorry if this has been posted before

 

But we are trying to decide between heading to Niseko or Furano for a week of boarding.. What are the pro's and con's of each and which would would be better to go to..

 

thanks in advance!

mark

[Fattwins 0]

one lets you ski Out of bounds and one doesnt.

one gets 8 meters of snow one gets 11 plus meters of snow.

one is a bit more japanese the other isnt.

One has more party spots the other doesnt.

[thursday 1]

so true,

 

maybe this would also help

 

http://www.snowjapan.com/e/daily/furano-now.php

 

I've only been to Furano on a fly drive in the Autumn. Damn nice colours.

[kaiser soce 0]

No contest.....furano is not in the same weight class. I would however prefer you went to Furano to keep the numbers down.

[gnarly-dude 1]

Do you want to go to Australia or Japan?

[skidaisuki 0]

From my experience, neither should disappoint you unless you are a veteran rope-ducker. I'd say Furano is a bit more ski-orientated.

[Markie 0]

Ditto gnarly-dude. If I go to Furano, I will try to brush-up on my Japanese. But if I'm going to Niseko, I will try to brush up on my Australian. I think the later is more difficult.

[boothy 0]

I will tell you after Feb as we are going to both places for a week.

[Markie 0]

Good. I've been wanting to go to Furano for some time, but Fattwins keeps twisting my arm and forcing me to go to Hakuba.

[chop 0]

Hakuba is overated + plus way too many Japanese.?

[Fattwins 0]

Markie cant pass up the deal i give him every year driving my cars around and meeting all the women. Plus poking fun at me is kinda a sport for him.

 

Markie the van is bought and paid for so we have 12 to 14 seats in one go.

[Markie 0]

 Quote:

Originally posted by chop:
Hakuba is overated + plus way too many Japanese.?

There's never enough Japanese for me.

Yeah, Fattwins, made me an offer I couldn't refuse. And being smart, I don't have to wake up with a horse's head in my bed to accept it.

On the subject of poking fun at you, I don't know whether I had anything to do with it, by making you conscious of your mistakes, but your English has actually got a lot better compared to a couple of years ago!

[Fattwins 0]

im tryings tobes mores carefullss abouts mes English.

[Go Native 70]

Niseko is so much bigger an better than Furano in terms of skiable terrain. Niseko has 4 major ski areas, Furano has 2. Niseko you have huge areas of off-piste whereas Furano has ropes.

 

Furano is probably easier with a family and there is more to do if you want a break from skiing. Furano you are more likely to experience clear weather and get views and Niseko you are more likely to have deep powder.

 

Yes, Niseko is packed with Aussies and Furano is not and culturally there's more to do in Furano. Still if you come all this way to ski/board what's more important, skiing experience or cultural experience? You can decide that.

[thursday 1]

Tactic, why choose.

Spoil yourself with a 2 base holiday. An operator based in Niseko are now also based at Furano. They have a 2 base choice for you.

[Markie 0]

Which operator is that? I'm interested. I still want to go there (Furano) some time, as soon as Fattwins releases me from his lock.

[thursday 1]

Markie,

to indemnify myself I have PMed you the operator details.

[Markie 0]

Got it. Thanks Thursday. Today is your day.

[Fattwins 0]

MArkie you know you cant go anywhere else unless you pay for me to go there with you!

 

My grasp is tight

[Markie 0]

OK OK, I'm working on it.....still need to save a few more Yen first.

[thursday 1]

where's the mysterious FuranoNow when you need him.

[tonester 0]

I'm going to both. Never been to Furano so am keen to check it out. I have a feeling that this may be the last year Furano remains relatively "Aussie free". It's had a lot of marketing in the Australian ski print media this year. I want to see it in it's relatively undiscovered form.

 

Also, I'm planning on doing day trips out of Furano so I get to experience some other mountains. Can't wait.

[marnix 0]

I didn't see many ropes when I was in furano and also didn't see any ski patrol. I really enjoyed the view from the summit.

But if you want bc go to skilinks (close to furano)

[NisekoPancakes 0]

Had some great days at Furano, it's a decent place.

[-30deg 0]

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.