Furano is a famous ski and snowboard resort located on the slopes of Furano-Nishidake in Furano city, central Hokkaido. Furano has two separate base areas and 'zones' - the Kitanomine Zone and the Furano Zone - which are course and lift connected on the upper areas. Skiing in Furano dates back to 1931, with the Number 1 lift installed and opened as Kitanomine in 1962 and the resort being named 'Furano' in 1976. The Furano Zone opened in 1982. Over the years Furano has hosted various national and international events. It is increasingly popular with skiers and snowboarders from overseas.
Furano city is located in the central region of Hokkaido, between the Tokachi and Yubari mountain ranges. Other mountains like those in the Daisetsuzan National Park are within reach of Furano. Furano is a popular year-round tourist destination. Apart from the famous ski resort, the area is famous for its lavender fields and other flowers in the summer months.
Hokkaido is the second largest island of Japan and also the largest and northernmost prefecture (though it is not usually referred to as a prefecture). It has coastlines on the Sea of Japan, the Sea of Okhotsk and also the Pacific Ocean. Sapporo is the capital city of Hokkaido and was host to the 1972 Winter Olympics. Hokkaido is home to the largest number of ski hills in Japan. While the majority of them are very small, some of the larger ski and snowboard resorts in Hokkaido - mostly found in regions to the west and east of Sapporo - are amongst the most famous in Japan.
Ski and snowboard lessons are available at Furano.
Equipment Rental
Ski Rental:
Available
Snowboard Rental:
Available
Ski and snowboard equipment rental is available. Snowshoes, sledges and wear are also available to rent.
Children's facilities
The 'Miffy Ski Camp' is located at the base of the Furano Zone area. There is also a childrens area at the base of the Kitanomine Zone.
The 'Kojima Academy' child care service is available. Reservations in advance are required.
Park information
There are a few park areas in the Kitanomine Area.
Furano Season & Opening Times
Typical season is from Late November until Early May
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
Daytime
Weekends and holidays
Normally open from 8:30am until 7:30pm
Weekdays
Normally open from 8:30am until 7:30pm
'Nighta' (night skiing)
Weekends and holidays
Yes
Weekdays
Yes
Opening information
Furano is generally open from 8:30am until 7:30pm. Nighta is from 4:30pm until 7:30pm.
Furano Zone: open from Saturday 24th November 2018 until Monday 6th May 2019. Kitanomine Zone: open from early December 2018 until Sunday 24th March 2019. Nighta: open from early December 2018 until Saturday 23rd March 2019.
Furano Lift Ticket Charges
Adults
Child
Senior
60 years & over
1 Day
5,700 yen
5,100 yen
5 Hours
5,000 yen
4,400 yen
3 Hours
4,200 yen
3,600 yen
Sunset + Nighta (1pm-7:30pm)
5,000 yen
4,400 yen
Nighta (4:30pm-7:30pm)
2,000 yen
1,800 yen
1 Lift Coupon
600 yen
600 yen
12 Lift Coupons
5,700 yen
Ropeway (return)
2,000 yen
Season Ticket (all)
64,000 yen
42,000 yen
Season Ticket (nighta)
20,000 yen
Season Ticket (from 1st Feb)
42,000 yen
Children up to elementary school age can ride the lifts for free.
The 5 Hour ticket is valid for five hours from the time of purchase. The 3 Hour ticket is valid for three hours from the time of purchase.
The Season Ticket charge for Junior High School age children is 40,000 yen. The Season Ticket charge for Senior High School age children is 49,000 yen.
If using coupons, the Ropeway & Gondola require 3 coupons and the Furano Downhill Number 1 lift requires 2 coupons.
Getting to Furano
By public transport
Train
3.1km from Furano Station on the Nemuro Honsen Line
Information
The Kitanomine Zone of the resort is about 3km from the main Furano Station on Nemuro Honsen line (the Furano zone base is about 6km from the station).
Furano is about 50km to the south of Asahikawa Airport.
Various bus tour services to Furano are available.
A taxi from Furano Station takes about 10 minutes and usually costs about 1,700 yen.
By Car
50.4km from the Shimukappu IC on the Doto Expressway
53.2km from the Takikawa IC on the Hokkaido Expressway
62.9km from the Asahikawa Takasu IC on the Hokkaido Expressway
Nearest national route: Route 38 (0.9km away)
Nearest prefecture road: Prefecture Road 800
Direction
The ski and snowboard resort of Furano is located to the west of central Furano city.
Approaching Furano from Shin Chitose Airport
Furano is about 125km from Shin Chitose Airport. From the Airport, head north on Route 337 for about 10 minutes (10km) to the Chitose Higashi IC exit of the Doto Expressway. Take the expressway east for around 65km and exit at the Shimukappu IC. At the Shimukappu IC exit, turn right onto Route 237 (also known as the Furano National Highway) and just over 1km further on the road turn right to follow the road north. After about 30km turn left onto Route 38 and follow the road signs into Furano.
Approaching Furano from Sapporo
From the Sapporo IC on the Hokkaido Expressway to the north east of the city centre, travel north east towards Asahikawa, exiting the Expressway at the Takikawa IC. From the Takikawa IC exit, turn left onto Route 38 to head towards Ashibetsu and Furano. Route 38 goes directly through (and beyond) Furano.
Alternatively, exit the expressway earlier at the Mikasa IC and take Prefecture Road 116 for just over 18km and then Route 452 (known as the Yubari National Highway) for just under 24km where there is a right turn onto Prefecture Road 135 to head towards Furano. Although this is nearer in terms of distance and it uses less of the expressway, it can be more of a challenge in mid-winter conditions than the easier drive from Takikawa IC.
As of Sunday 9th December, we still need to update the information for about 50 ski hills around Japan. They are mostly very small ones and the information can be very hard to find. We are working to get them all updated as quickly as possible... hopefully within the next week!
For more details and explanations about the information presented on this page,
please read this.
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Quad lifts
Triple lifts
Pair lifts
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