Mount Furano

Mount Furano is one of the more popular backcountry areas in central Hokkaido, but there's plenty of fresh turns to be had if you're willing to work for it. On a clear day, you can summit Mount Furano, but the best snow will be down in the trees. On stormy days, there's plenty of skiing to keep you busy down below. A variety of aspects help you find the best snow if there's wind.

Even though the area is well traveled, overnight totals of 1 to 3 inches can wipeout any hint of a skin track, so come prepared with a map or a guide. There's plenty of fall line skiing, but be aware of terrain traps and open creeks at the bottom of the runs. Waters run warm and ice-free on Mount Furano. To access the area, follow the roads downhill for about 100 meters, then turn left on a summer access road to cross an open creek. Once across the creek, remain high on a shallow nose. After about 1 mile, you'll come to a filled-in creek crossing. If you're lucky, you'll find a safe crossing and continue up the ridge. There's great fall line skiing to the east and west of the skin track.

When you're done skiing for the day, reverse your skin track and soak at the Kamihoroso Onsen located just up the road.