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Japan!! Furrano v Niseko??
 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead

2 females flying into SAPPORRO, Japan in early December for two weeks intermediate level snowboarding - does anyone have recommendations for this area? Currently torn between Furrano (seems to have snowboard to resort) and Niseko (seemingly buses required to get to slopes). Internet reviews are mixed for both Smile

Any advice gratefully received!!

Carrie
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person

I've not skied in Furano, but I have skied in Niseko a few times. The main village in Niseko (Hirafu) has lots of accommodation options, some of which is just a short walk from the ski lifts. Other accommodation is further away and the easiest access to the lifts is via the fleet of resort minibuses which loop around all day. Your rarely have to wait for more than 5-8 minutes for a bus and it's typically a 5-8 minute ride to the lifts. Although they get crowded at busy times it's an efficient service and I've never felt it was a major PITA. If walking to the lifts is important to you just choose your accommodation with that in mind - there's plenty which is within an easy walk to the lifts.
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ski holidays
 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Rob, awesome, thanks. Looking for good snow and night life so Niseko might just be the better option for our first Japan visit. Bit worried about the potential for crowds and snow quality though...

Appreciate your prompt reply! Smile

Carrie
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You need to Login to know who's really who.

CarrieM wrote:
Rob, awesome, thanks. Looking for good snow and night life so Niseko might just be the better option for our first Japan visit. Bit worried about the potential for crowds and snow quality though...

Appreciate your prompt reply! Smile

Carrie


Niseko has one of the best snow records in the world, so you are maximising your chances of great off-piste conditions by heading there (or other Hokkaido resorts). On the other hand, even with that snow record you can't guarantee awesome conditions (I've had one trip there with relatively poor snow), and you're also heading there at the start of the season so snow depths won't have built up as much as they will have later in the winter. So, as ever, we're in the hands of the snow gods. Happily they smile more on Niseko than most other places Happy

I've only been there at the end of January or the beginning of February and it's always been quiet. Mostly no lift queues and easy to find a bit of quiet off-piste with a walk or a traverse. If you do go to Niseko have a look at the Mizuno-no-sawa area. It's controlled access (you have to attend a brief lecture and pay a small fee) to a steepish gulley with a quick turnaround time so you can get lots of laps in.

Nightlife is very good. For a chilled out vibe head to Bar Gyu+ which you enter via a refrigerator door Happy
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

If you're there for 2 weeks, why not do both? Easy enough to travel between the two, you could have a day in Sapporo to break the journey and see the city.

By early December the regular winter snow might not have hit properly. Furano is generally colder so might be an idea to go there for the first week. By the second week, you'd have a better chance of powder. You shouldn't have a problem with crowds that early in the season.
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 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.

I've skied both.

Of the two I'd pick Niseko as it has more of everything; accessable back country, nightlife etc.
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

I've also skied both, and agree with @Mosha Marc. Definitely less crowds at Furano and some really fun terrain though! The town is also pretty weird... We met some Japanese girls in a bar, who took us off to the most bizarre karaoke bar you could imagine. Like a cross between Ron Burgundy's office, a 70's porn set, a submarine, and some sort of carpet warehouse.

BTW there are plenty of places in Niseko where you're just a couple of minutes walk from a lift.

Also definitely take some time to check out Sapporo, and if possible ski there at Teine Highland too.
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!

clarky999 wrote:
Like a cross between Ron Burgundy's office, a 70's porn set, a submarine, and some sort of carpet warehouse.
Mind well and truly boggled!
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 You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.

Great advice Smile Will be wary of dodgy karaoke bars although sounds interesting…

Might book ahead for Niseko and maybe look at a couple of days in Furano before going back to Tokyo.

Excited - first time away from the French/Austrian Alps!
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 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads

CarrieM wrote:
2 females flying into SAPPORRO, Japan in early December for two weeks intermediate level snowboarding - does anyone have recommendations for this area? Currently torn between Furrano (seems to have snowboard to resort) and Niseko (seemingly buses required to get to slopes). Internet reviews are mixed for both Smile

Any advice gratefully received!!

Carrie


Lots of great advice above. A couple of clarifications and extras below.

The SW Hokkaido resorts - Niseko Resort Area, Niseko Moiwa, Rusutsu and Kiroro - and Central Hokkaido resorts - Furano, Tomamu, Kamui, Sahoro - are scheduled to open on or about 20 November 2015 snow conditions permitting.

All of the above resorts have had snow at the base already this season but the snowline and freezing levels have yo yod up and down the mountain.

There's plenty of precipitation in the forecast however the freezing level is forecast to be above the summits this coming weekend.

Here's Kiroro's forecast, which is consistent across all the above named resorts
http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/KiroroSnowWorld/6day/top

However the weather and more importantly the freezing level can and will drop soon and the resorts can be transformed in a week.

I would go with MagSeven's advice and start in Central Hokkaido, basing yourself in Furano, and then travel to the Niseko Resort Area for your second week.

From Furano day trips to Tomamu, Kamui and Sahoro are possible via public transportation and/or organised tours.

Likewise day trips to Moiwa, Rusutsu and Kiroro from the Niseko Resort Area.

Accommodation close to the lifts even ski-in, ski-out will be easy to find in Furano, less so in Niseko Hirafu.

Large influx of Singaporean guests pre-Christmas.

The Mizuno-sawa are of Niseko Village is now just gate access and doesn't require a sign up and safety lecture.

But as intermediate snowboarders heading out of the gates isn't recommended.

By that time there'll be plenty of powder within the resort boundary ropes.

Kiroro on 04 December 2014




For accommodation options look here

http://www.powderlife.com/explore/niseko-accommodation/
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 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.

I was at both in February and my only negative comment on Furano is that the transport to the other nearby mountains was quite a bit more expensive than in the Niseko area. The main Furano town is very Japanese and you hardly see a foreigner on the streets so it is a far more authentic experience. Niseko is very much an international resort with all the good and bad that comes with such towns. Both are great for snow, terrain, food etc.
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 And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.

I was in Niseko area for a couple of weeks last season and have booked for next month, travelling (snow permitting) in to Sapporo mid-Dec - have hired a car and the intention is to start off in Central Hokkaido, work our way through to Niseko and back to Sapporo for New Year. From what I've read seems best to be as flexible as possible
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