Minamifurano Skiing
Minamifurano
Minamifurano is a small ski resort located in Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island. It's known for its relaxed atmosphere, beautiful scenery, and abundant powder snow. While it's not the biggest resort in Hokkaido, it offers a charming experience for skiers and snowboarders of all levels, offering a total of 3km of skiable terrain. The vertical drop of 400 meters provides decent elevation for intermediate skiers, with the longest run stretching for 2.2km. However, it's important to note that the top lift has been inactive in recent years, limiting the options for advanced skiers seeking challenging black diamond runs.
Despite its modest size, Minamifurano Ski Hill offers a surprisingly diverse range of terrain suitable for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. The hill features a mix of gentle slopes perfect for beginners, as well as more challenging runs that will excite seasoned skiers. The well-groomed trails provide a smooth and enjoyable experience, while the surrounding trees offer glimpses of Hokkaido's stunning natural beauty.
What truly sets Minamifurano apart is its abundance of light, dry powder snow, a hallmark of Hokkaido's winter climate. The island's unique geographical location and weather patterns create ideal conditions for snowfall, blanketing the ski hill in a pristine white blanket that beckons skiers to carve their way through its powdery depths.
There is a small cafeteria style kitchen, which is open between 11am-1:30pm, offers small range of options whose availably various from day to day. The food options are selected via a ticket machine and include a couple of noodle dishes, a couple of curry dishes, fried chicken, rice, and wedges. Everything is priced very reasonably, and the quality is quite good.
Interestingly, the lift tickets are also purchased from the ticket machine and redeemed at the cafeteria counter. As at 2025, a 4 hour lift ticket was ¥1,500, an 8 hour ticket ¥2,500. You can also purchase a 11 ride ticket for use over multiple days for ¥2,000. If you're staying at the Fairfield by Marriott hotel you can purchase a voucher over the counter for a 50% discount on the 4/8 hour tickets.
Beginner Terrain
The beginner terrain at Minamifurano is gentle and wide, making it perfect for those who are just starting out. There are two beginner courses, both of which are located near the base of the mountain.
These courses are accessed by the double chairlift that has a station approximately a 1/3 of the way up. Kids also use this mid-station to get off and sled to the bottom.
Intermediate Terrain
With most runs falling under the intermediate category, Minamifurano provides a fun and varied experience for this group. The wider trails allow for comfortable cruising, while the moderate inclines offer enjoyable challenges without being intimidating. The off-piste opportunities, though limited, can be explored with caution and a guide for experienced intermediates seeking additional thrills.
Advanced Terrain
Due to the limited terrain and lack of a top lift, Minamifurano might not be the ideal choice for advanced skiers seeking extensive challenging runs. However, skilled skiers can still enjoy carving turns on the groomed slopes and appreciate the uncrowded atmosphere, allowing them to perfect their technique without pressure. Nearby larger resorts like Furano or Niseko provide more challenging options for advanced skiers seeking powder and extreme terrain.
Here's a quick overview of what you can expect from skiing in Minamifurano:
Minamifurano is known for its dry, powdery snow, which is perfect for carving turns. The average snowfall is 10 meters per year, so you're pretty much guaranteed to have good snow conditions during the ski season.
The resort has a laid-back vibe, with a focus on enjoying the natural beauty of the area. There are no crowds or queues, so you can relax and take your time on the slopes.
The ski season in Minamifurano typically runs from December to March.
The best time to ski is during the week, when there are even fewer crowds.
There are a few hotels and guesthouses located near the resort, but you can also find accommodation in Furano town.
The nearest airport is New Chitose Airport, which is about a two-hour drive from Minamifurano.
