Furano:
Well for those of us who like to experience some real culture as well as great skiing have a look at Furano which started out as a small village at the base of a mountain instead of a small town built after the ski resort . There is the added bonus of cultural plays and amazing local food. Furano is also known for not being as crowded and Aussie packed as Niseko so it really gives you the feeling you are a long way from home.
With At least 3 other ski areas within 1 ½ hr drive giving you a truly amazing snow holiday for everyone, don't forget to visit the Zoo, especially for those with children, it will be the closest you will ever get (safely) to a Polar Bear. Then relax after a long day skiing/boarding in a Japanese hot spring to ease the aches away.
Now tell me what could be better than this!!!Skiing Japan
access: Sapporro (Chitose airport)- Options fly direct to Tokyo then local flight to Chitose, bus transfer to Furano. / Fly to Hong Kong - Shopping - then fly direct to Sapporro (Chitose) bus transfer to Furano
Niseko
Don't be put off here by the Aussie invasion. Niseko offers some great skiing and as diversity of terrain you could hope for in a ski holiday. The piste are great and well groomed and at the same time offer plenty of tree skiing in the soft japanese powder between the groomed runs. There are an abundance of off piste runs all over the mountain with gates (open sections in the roped boundaries) frequently placed in the outer roped boundaries of the resort. Be observant though as the Japanese do not take kindly to you gate jumping. (leaving the boundary when the gates are closed) - they will take your ticket off you. Care should be taken and instructions observed though as avalanches do happen and in areas that look fine. For a little bit of money you can take a guided back country tour and I would certainly reccoment this.
Accommodation and dining is great in Niseko. There is a huge range to suit every budget. we stayed in The Vale this year and it was amazing. Probably the best accommodation on the mountain and surpasses some of the fine digs I have found myself in over the years. With its own in house Onsen and dining facilities, proximity to the lift and the quality of the apartments there was not a thing I could fault. Maybe 10 days was probably not enough time. Now if you want to step up a little there is the penthouses available which feature their own onsen and luxury furnishings that are out of this world. You have to do it.
On the other end of the scale there is some great home grown accommodation, through to lodges and hotels that give you the true japan hospitality and comfort. It truly is an amazing spot in the Hokkaido region.
access: Sapporro (Chitose airport)- Options fly direct to Tokyo then local flight to Chitose, bus transfer to NIseko. / Fly to Hong Kong - Shopping - then fly direct to Sapporro (Chitose) bus transfer to Niseko
Nagano
Coming soon Nagano and areas including Hakuba. Also Rusutsu in the north. For information on these resorts phone or email us and we can help you with your specific requests.