These breathtaking sceneries are incredibly rare to find in such a famous ski area.
This is the Furano Ski Area on March 16, 2021, one year after the first COVID-19 pandemic. For a year, there were no tourists from abroad or within the country.
To support the tourism industry in Japan, the government launched several campaigns offering discount coupons, such as up to 10,000 yen off for hotel stays, JR train tickets, and airline tickets.
These coupons were so helpful and affordable that people began to travel again, which ironically led to another wave of the pandemic.
Of course, this didn’t happen only in Japan.
We managed to go skiing during a brief lull between pandemic outbreaks, taking advantage of these super affordable coupons.
Furano Ski Area as No.1
When it comes to skiing, you might immediately think of NISEKO—Yehaaa! It’s one of the best ski areas in Hokkaido, and I love it too.
However, Furano Ski Area is also famous and boasts excellent powder snow. It was the site of the FIS World Cup in 1977, with the Kitanomine zone hosting the giant slalom for both men and women. Since then, it has hosted several FIS World Cup events.
Furano is a revered skiing destination for people in Hokkaido. That’s why it’s so popular, attracting visitors from all over.
But…
Nobody was there.
It was unbelievable, but we were thrilled to have this vast powder snow area all to ourselves. I’ve never seen such empty slopes in such a famous ski area.
It reminded me of my childhood days when I went to my local ski area, Bankei (not in Sapporo), and the citizen ski area in Iwamizawa City. Early in the morning, my friends and I would find almost no one there. We felt so lucky, skiing over fresh snow, leaving our tracks behind, and having an incredible amount of fun.
This experience was like a déjà vu of those childhood memories!
I want you to feel the same magic. Come to Furano Ski Area for the best winter experience you’ll ever have.
Furano Prince Hotel
This is the best hotel for skiing. Why? Because when you step out the door, you’re right on the ski slope!
This rare hotel is located directly on the ski slope, offering unmatched convenience. You won’t need to carry heavy ski gear or wear cumbersome ski boots. With your private locker on the first floor, you can easily access your equipment. Plus, you won’t have to worry about finding a parking space for your car.
