Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido produces some of the lightest and driest powder in the world. This powder phenomenon is due to the winter weather pattern during the months of December through to March when cold air from Siberia picks up moisture from the Sea of Japan and then consistently deposits incredible amounts of high quality powder over the island.

Furano basin occupies the geographical center of Hokkaido, nestled between the Tokachi mountain range to the east and the Yubari Range to the west.

The Tokachidake Mountain Range is part of Daisetsuzan National Park which is the largest National Park in Japan, and means “the Mountains of Great Snowfall”. The area covers over 3,000 square kilometers and is made up of Hokkaido’s highest mountains which average 2,000 meters in height. There are two active volcanoes in this range, Tokachidake whose spiraling smoke is visible from Furano, and Asahidake which is the highest mountain in Hokkaido at 2,290 meters.

The Yubari Range is dominated by Mt Ashibetsu and provides an impressive backdrop to the Furano township. Furano ski resort is part of this range and is located only five minutes from the center of the town. The area is made up of two areas, Furano and Kitanomine side and between them both offer 27km of groomed and non-groomed runs in 974 vertical meters of skiing.