Furano Resort Guide | Hokkaido | Japan
Fano is another internationally renowned Hokkaido resort known for its dry powder and varied terrain. Fano has a respectable elevation gain of over 800 m and receives a solid 8 m of snow each year. It’s a relatively small resort with two zones, Ferrano and Kito Nomina, with the nearby town of Ferano providing additional restaurant and lodging options. There are green trails on both sides of the resort for beginners to build confidence and explore new trails. For intermediate skiers, there are a few rolling blues and short blacks to develop skills. The black trails and premium zone will entertain advanced skiers, but with the right equipment, the backcountry gates access some excellent terrain. Fano will suit skiers of all abilities seeking an escape from the bigger Hokkaido resorts. Getting to Fano is roughly a 2-hour drive from Saporo or Neuttosi airport. There are regular buss and train services from both Saporro and the airport to Fano. If you are planning to ski multiple resorts across Okaido, then a car is recommended. But if Ferrano is your main destination, a car is not required. There are a few small mountain passes on the drive to Ferrano, but the roads are wellmaintained. If you are driving, an all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive is recommended, and we advise having chains as heavy snowfalls are common. Both base areas at Ferrano have all required services, including ski school, and lots of food and beverage options. Base facilities include lockers, ski gear, and rental shops for any equipment needs you may have. The gentle green trails make Verano zone the better site for learners. Plus, there’s snowand and a few other activity areas for families and non-skers. The kitten nomin zone will suit progressive beginners and advanced skiers. Restaurant downhill is the only on mountain food and beverage option located just off the top of her ropeway. The restaurant and bar options in the base areas are numerous and can include food trucks near the ropeway station. Packed lunches can be eaten at the larger dining areas and the top of the Ferrano ropeway. Let’s get to the skiing. Fano provides a mix of terrain for all levels of skier combined with phenomenal snow conditions for first timers needing to master the basics. There are learning areas at each base. However, the Ferrano zone provides a more gentle introduction and also has the kids ski school. If you are ready to venture onto the slopes, then C1 and B2 are a great place to start before progressing up to B1. Across at Kiton zone, F7 provides a gentle start for beginners who can then level up to F4 and F6 to develop skills. Ferrano has a lot to offer the intermediate skier with each zone providing short punchy groomers like G2 and A1 to warm up. A2 and F2 are longer rolling groomers from mid- mountain that tend to have less traffic. The slow lift service from mid mountain makes the tram or gondola more productive from late morning once the lift lines die down. K1 and G3 on the Kitonomino side are great for building skills. On the forano side, E2 and H1 have some steeper sections to get your blood circulating before testing yourself on the black trails. The flat sections leading to H1 may challenge snowboarders. For advanced skiers, there are a few black trails peppered across the resort. A3 on the Ferrano side starts with bumps and finishes as a treeline groomed cruiser. K3 provides a decent length advanced trail, while A4, K2, and K4 are short, steep mogul trails. Premium zone is the most challenging inbounds terrain available. Advanced skiers with the right equipment will be tempted by the gates into the backcountry tree skiing zones. There are no terrain parks at Fano, but the natural features across the resort provide opportunities to launch off the gullies and rip through the trees. A few things to be aware of for Fano. The resort has a mix of express and older fixed grip lifts. The Kitonomina Gondler and the Ferrano tram are the most efficient ways up the resort. The two express chairs deliver skiers to mid-mount. With lift F, a hooded quad, ideal for progressive learners and great for small children needing protection from the weather. The other lifts are slow two-seater fixed grips, but riding them may be necessary to avoid the long lift lines at the tram and gondola. Firano is a busy resort, so expect cues at the tram, gondola, and the express mid-mount lifts. While the HL lift is a pivotal link between the zones and can get crowded, the two zones split the resort, creating areas to escape the weather by choosing which terrain you ski or staying on the lower slopes when cloud cover and fog becomes thick. Prince Global Rewards members receive more than 15% discount on lift passes. So, consider signing up, especially if you’re skiing multiple days. Fano is popular with foreign tourists, so expect the resort to be busy during Australia and New Zealand school holidays, Christmas through to late January and the two weeks of Chinese New Year. The top of the gondola delivers the best panoramic shot as it has the Ferrano sign. It’ll often have non-skers taking a round trip for their instot, which adds to lift Q wait times. There are several gates providing access to backcountry ski areas that will interest advanced skiers. Make sure you have the right equipment and consider a guided tour if this is of interest. Don’t end your day off peace stuck in a gully or on the flax. Parking is limited in the base areas, but since most people stay on mountain or catch a bus from their lodging, finding a car park is fairly easy. There is a full range of lodging options available at Ferrano. The Prince Hotel provides a modern hotel at the Ferrano’s own base. There is a broader range of options from hotels to chalet on the Kitonom side. Plus, this site is closer to the town of Ferrano which has additional lodging and restaurant options. Those planning to self-cater will find Seikko Martin Lawson’s in Kitanomina or a co-op in Fano if you’re looking to stock up for a group. When you’re not skiing, Snowland provides non-sking activities like sledding and snow rafting. Great for families and children. In our opinion, Fano is a great destination resort that will suit families or groups looking for slopes and services that are easily accessible. The beginner zones provide perfect trails for first- timers and young kids to build confidence away from the crowds. It is a relatively small resort, but intermediate and advanced skiers will find challenging trails across the mountain, and the access gates will tempt those with the skills and equipment into the trees. Check out our trail and lift videos to get the most out of your visit to Forano.
Furano is a great destination resort that will suit families or groups looking for slopes and services that are easily accessible. The beginner zones provide perfect trails for first timers and young kids to build confidence away from the crowds.
It is a relatively small resort, but Intermediate and Advanced skiers will find challenging trails across the mountain and the access gates will tempt those with the skills and equipment into the trees.
See B4U Ski – more lift and trail videos at www.mtnhacks.com
Chapters:
0:00 Furano Ski Resort Review: Is this Hokkaido’s Best All-Rounder? (Honest Guide)
0:46 Getting to FURANO: EASY Bus & Train vs Rental Car (Hokkaido Travel Tips)
1:13 Furano Resort Tour: Food, Rentals and Secret Spots You NEED to See!
1:52 FURANO Mountain Guide: Best Runs for Beginnners, Intermediates & Experts
3:28 Furano Lift HACKS: How to Avoid Queues & Ski More (Gondola vs Tram)
4:14 5 Furano SECRETS worth knowing (Save Money & Avoid Crowds!)
5:01 Where to Stay in Furano: On-Mountain vs Town (Lodging Guide)
5:30 Final Verdict: Is Furano The Perfect Ski Resort for You?
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