Niseko vs Furano: Choosing the best spot for your next Japan ski trip.
Hokkaido’s legendary powder draws skiers worldwide; Niseko United and Furano Ski Resort are among the most popular.
It’s easy to see why!
Both offer distinctive powder and terrain, but what about value?
After returning from a long trip exploring Japan’s best ski resorts, this review highlights the pros and cons of each resort, our personal experience, and facts to help you make an informed decision about your next trip.
Niseko vs Furano What’s Better?
We understand that everyone has unique preferences and requirements when it comes to a ski vacation.
For us, it’s about the whole package, with powder, terrain, and value at the top of the list!
Let’s compare Niseko vs Furano and see who reigns supreme.
Powder: Niseko vs Furano
The snow in Japan hits differently. If you have never experienced it, the best way to describe it is like snowboarding or skiing through a field of flour.
It’s common knowledge that Hokkaido, Japan, has some of the best powder in the world.
However, where in Hokkaido is the powder best?
In Japan, it is widely known that the farther north you travel, the lighter and drier the snow becomes.
Furano Ski Resort sits in central Hokkaido, while Niseko United sits in the southwest, closer to the ocean.
While Niseko typically gets more snow in a season than Furano, the snow quality in Furano is lighter and drier.
Furano’s snow is famously light and dry, often called ‘blower pow’ by locals.
After visiting both locations, the winner is clear:
Furano wins with lighter, drier powder!
Terrain: Niseko vs Furano
Both ski resorts offer fantastic terrain and backcountry gates to find loads of fresh powder.
On our snowboarding trip, we explored both on mountain and backcountry access areas.
We found the crowds exiting the gates to the backcountry were far less numerous at Furano Ski Resort than at Niseko United.
We rode epic terrain at both resorts, from groomers to technical trees and deep off-piste powder.
Niseko strictly requires exiting only through designated gates for backcountry access. The backcountry gates open when it is safe to enter. Ducking ropes in Niseko United will result in losing your ski pass.
In contrast, Furano Ski Resort does not enforce ski boundaries, so ducking ropes is common. That said, being smart when entering these areas and having the proper backcountry skills and equipment is very important.
Disclaimer: We are not encouraging you to duck ropes; we are giving you the facts about what we witnessed and experienced while visiting these areas.
Many dangers, like waterways and deep holes, are on the other side of the rope boundary. Ski patrol does not patrol these areas, so you should never go alone and be prepared for self-rescue if you get into trouble.
With the increasing popularity of Furano Ski Resort and more tourists ignoring warning signs, it seems likely they may tighten regulations in the future.
Avalanches frequently occur outside the gates of Furano Ski Resort, so be cautious of the dangers. Before venturing into the backcountry for the day, check in with the resort by completing the appropriate form.
If you are looking for a beginner or intermediate experience, both resorts are suitable for skiers of all abilities.
Japan is known for its powder and mellow pitches, in fact the inbounds terrain caters to intermediate skiers and snowboarders with long wide open groomers making both resorts very family friendly.
Niseko United Terrain
Elevation: Base 984 ft, Top 4,325 ft
Vertical drop: 3,313 ft
Skiable terrain: 2,190 acres
Longest run: 3.5 miles
Terrain: 30% beginner, 40% intermediate, and 30% advanced
Lifts: 38 Lifts, including multiple gondolas
Pro:
- Expansive Terrain
Con:
- Heavy Crowds
Niseko United offers four distinct ski areas: Hanazono, Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village, and Annupuri.
These areas are interconnected by lifts, creating a massive resort with diverse terrain options, including night skiing and terrain parks. Grand Hirafu is regarded as the hub of Niseko and is where most of the action is found.
When snowboarding in Niseko, we enjoyed the long runs, the variety of terrain, and the backcountry access.
We hiked from gate 3 to the top, above the Hanazono area. The backcountry gates are immensely popular, attracting hundreds of skiers and snowboarders.
The line hiking out the gate was single-file, one after another, the entirety of the ridge.
Although Niseko offers an amazing experience, you will be sharing it with the masses.
After some fun turns on the mountain, we took a nice break at the base of Hanazono.
The Hanazono Edge lodge area was spacious, and it was the only ski resort we visited that had an actual bar where you could sit and enjoy a beer.
We enjoyed the bar area and chatted with a few groups of people, most American or Australian.
Overall, the Niseko terrain was vast, and the amenities were comfortable and westernized.
Furano Ski Resort Terrain
Elevation: Base 804 ft, Top 3,967 ft
Vertical drop: 3,163 ft
Skiable terrain: 469.5 acres
Longest run: 2.4 miles
Terrain: 40% beginner, 40% intermediate, and 20% expert
Lifts: 1 gondola, 12 lifts, and 1 ropeway
Pro:
- Fewer Crowds
Con:
- Smaller Resort
Furano offers nicely groomed runs and a wide variety of terrain to explore, including night skiing and a small terrain park.
While riding at Furano Ski Resort, we were lucky to meet some friendly Australians in the lift line who knew the terrain well.
They showed us the goods and guided us through the gates and across rope boundaries. We spent 3 days exploring the mountain and the backcountry area.
The trees in Furano were much tighter and more technical than those we encountered in Niseko.
Furano Ski Resort had lots of tree riding, but less access to alpine riding than Niseko.
In the Furano backcountry area, we encountered more thermal holes and waterways.
The highlight of our experience in Furano’s backcountry was the waterfall we discovered at the end of our run.
After a long day of lapping technical trees and deep pow, the lodge at the base of the Kitanomine Gondola offered a comfortable and nice reprieve. With large windows, we could view the mountain while enjoying some delicious food and cold beers.
Who wins the Terrain Award?
Both ski resort areas had great terrain.
Overall, Niseko United is four times the size of Furano Ski Resort and offers more than double the number of lifts.
Furano’s smaller size and shorter runs give Niseko an advantage.
Niseko wins Best Terrain!
Value: Niseko vs Furano
With the rise in popularity of Japan ski resorts, costs have significantly increased in places like Niseko.
In addition, Furano Ski Resort is quickly gaining popularity and has been dubbed the “New Niseko” by many locals and tourists.
The area is becoming a favored destination for skiers and snowboarders looking for an alternative to Niseko.
Which resort currently offers the best value Niseko vs Furano?
Below, we assess the value of each area, including accommodations, food, and lift tickets.
Niseko Accommodations Value
In Niseko, we opted to stay in Grand Hirafu in a Pension (a fancy hostel).
The Pension Full Note charges $200 (USD) per night for two guests in a private room with access to a shared bathroom and shower area.
The stay included a fantastic hot breakfast every morning, which was nice.
This pension was one of the most affordable options in Niseko when booking our trip.
We spent five nights for a total of $1k (USD).
We highly recommend Full Note when visiting Niseko, however plans for new ownership are in the works.
Most hotel options in Niseko were far more expensive than what we paid at the Pension Full Note.
During ski season, the average cost for a traditional 3-star hotel room in Niseko is over $330 (USD) per night.
4 & 5-star accommodations are priced at $550-$1000 (USD) per night.
Air BnB’s can cost even more for weekly stays.
If you are searching for high end western luxuries, you are sure to find it in Niseko.
Pros:
- Abundance of High-End Hotels
- Premium Lodging and AirBnBs
- Lots of Accommodations Walkable to Ski Area
Cons:
- Limited Inexpensive Options
- High Demand – Booking Required 6-12 Months in Advance
Furano Accommodations Value
In Furano, we opted for a nice upscale hotel in a prime location near the bus station.
The Furano Natulux Hotel offered a comfortable and clean room with hotel amenities, including a mini fridge, kettle, hair dryer, slippers, and a safe. Daily housekeeping, free parking, ski bus fare, and internet were also included.
We chose the economy room with a full bed, costing $127 (USD) per night.
Our stay at Natulux for four nights totaled $508 (USD).
The Natulux Hotel was one of the more expensive options in Furano, with many properties costing less.
Pros:
- Lots of Basic, Inexpensive Lodging Options
Cons:
- Few High-End Hotel Options
- Limited Lodging Options with Walkability to Ski Hill
When comparing Niseko vs Furano, you can stay in Furano for less than half the price of the same-style accommodation in Niseko.
When it comes to lodging accommodations,
Furano wins Accommodations Value!
Niseko Food Value
We spent 5 days eating at many different places around Niseko, mainly in Grand Hirafu.
We enjoyed some delicious meals and tried a variety of food trucks.
Our favorite meal was at Lucky Fingers in Annupuri. The service and presentation were excellent, and the food was delicious. We highly recommend visiting this place when in Niseko.
When assessing the dining options and quality in Niseko, the pros and cons are as follows.
Pros:
- High-End Restaurant Options
- Food Truck Dining – Casual and Gourmet Street Foods
Cons:
- More Expensive Than Most Places in Japan
- Overcrowding and Long Waits
- Mandatory Reservations for Restaurants
Overall, Niseko was our least favorite place in Japan for dining due to the limited options for authentic Japanese cuisine and higher prices compared to other areas.
Furano Food Value
While dining in Furano, we experienced authentic restaurants and delicious meals at very inexpensive prices.
We dined multiple times at a delicious sushi restaurant named Tropical Sushi.
Dinner for two, including multiple plates of toro, an assortment of fish, rolls, and dessert, cost only $20 (USD).
We enjoyed authentic Japanese curry at a unique restaurant that resembled a tree house. With just three tables and a handwritten menu, our local ski guide highly recommended this place, and it did not disappoint.
Pros:
- Lots of Restaurant Options
- Authentic Japanse Foods
- Inexpensive
Cons:
- Limited High-End Fine Dining Options
When it comes to food availability, ease of access, and cost,
Furano wins Food Value!
Niseko Lift Ticket Value
Price:
- 10,500 Yen, $70 USD – Adult Day Pass
- 6,300 – 8,900 Yen, $42-$60 USD – Kids Day Pass
Pro:
- Ikon Pass Access
Cons:
- More Expensive Than Furano
- Kids Do Not Ski Free
Furano Lift Ticket Value
Price:
- 7,500 Yen, $50 USD – Adult Day Pass
- Free Children 12 & under
Pros:
- Less Expensive Than Niseko
- Kids Ski Free 12 & Under
Con:
- No Ikon Pass Access
When it comes to Ski Value, Furano is the winner!
Conclusion Niseko vs Furano
Niseko vs Furano, both resorts offer unique experiences in powder, terrain, and value.
While Niseko excels in the terrain category, Furano provides superior powder quality and better value for its visitors.
Niseko provides more options if you are looking for a luxury or a non-skier-centric experience.
A ski trip to Furano provides more bang for the buck in terms of lodging, food, and lift tickets.
If you have a family, Furano may be your best option since children 12 and under ski free.
If you are looking for a lively scene, Niseko offers westernized bars and nightlife, while Furano provides a sleepy, authentic Japanese experience.
We enjoyed our time in both areas, but we prefer the laid back authentic experience that Furano provides.
After deciding which resort is better, Niseko vs Furano, we chose Furano.
We hope you enjoy your experience in Japan, and that this article helps you decide which resort is right for you!
Happy Shredding 🙂
For More Japan Travel Advice Please View Our Article “10 Japan ski trip planning tips.”
