JAPAN

Furano is situated on the island of Hokkaido and is well known for the light and dry snow that falls throughout the winter season - an average of 9 metres. There are great cruising runs for beginners and intermediates alike, and fror the advanced skier or boarder there is come challenging terrain to suit. The town of Furano, approximately one kilometre from the ski base, is a typical Japnese town mostly untouched by modern influences.

Located two hours from New Chitose Airport, Kiroro is the hidden gem of the Central Hokkaido region. Usually receiving more snow than its sibling resorts, locals come to Kiroro to escape the lift lines and find deep untracked tree-skiing. Lift lines are rare and even when the snow does stop falling, fresh tracks can be found for days. The inbound off-piste areas, so called Powder Zones, are a great way to explore the ungroomed powder snow of Kiroro. Offering the best of both worlds: secluded steep and deep, wide open groomed runs and comfortable accommodation for the perfect ski holiday.

The Myoko Kogen ski area in 'The Heart of Japan' is ideal for powder hounds. With over a hundred years of skiing to its credit and with snowfalls of up to 13 metres each year, Myoko Kogen is renowned for its soft deep powder. The Myoko area is made up of several ski resorts - Myoko Akakura, Myoko Suginohara and Ikenotaira Onsen - that are largely linked together via a shuttle bus. The main ski area is Myoko Akakura which is made up of two side by side resorts; Akakura Kanko ski resort and Akakura Onsen. Most of the accommodation is based in and around the main village of Akakura, and as Japan's first international mountain resort Myoko Kogen is well known for its rich history, culture and traditional onsens.

Niseko Niseko Ski Resort, located in Hokkaido, is a 2.5 hour drive from Sapporo's Chitose Airport and is probably the most famous Japanese resort amongst international skiers and boarders. Officially Japan's number one snow resort, comprised of four interlinked ski resorts - Grand Hirafu, Hanazono, Niseko Village and Annupuri, it is renowned for its consistent quality and abundance of powder snow throughout the winter. With an average of around 15 metres of snow each year, Niseko is suited to skiers and boarders of all ability levels. Famous for its wide-open powder bowls and three runs, Niseko also has some great off-piste skiing with many back-country options available. When the snow slows and the clouds move away, the views open up to reveal the splendour of now dormant Mt Yotei, such an amazing back drop. Just in case you don't get enough during day light hours, Niseko also offers extensive night skiing until 9:00pm. The vibrant Hirafu village offers an amazing choice of International dining options, whatever type of cuisine suits your fancy from Michelin star restaurants to the small family run Izakaya's and the fresh Hokkaido seafood is renowned throughout Japan. Niseko Village Niseko Village is located at the base of the Niseko Gondola giving great access to the inter-linked ski resorts of Niseko United. There is a constructed traditional Japanese village with some amazing restaurants and shops. Here you will find plenty of other activities to make your snow holiday most memorable. Don't miss out on a reindeer drawn sleigh ride or forget about the cross-country course. There are two magic carpets at the base of Niseko Village making it a great beginners learning area. Getting around the village has never been easier with the Upper Village Gondola and Village Express lift offering easy accessibility to the shops and restaurants. Although you have everything on your doorstep there are regular buses to take you the 20-minute drive into the main Hirafu village.

Located one hour's drive from Nagano, Nozawa Onsen is a classic ski resort that was one of the original ski resorts in Japan. The variety of terrain offers long wide open green runs, through to rolling panoramic cruisers and some very steep pitches off the ridges for the more advanced skiers and riders. The village is a very old onsen town that was founded when a visiting Samurai indulged in a hot spring starting the very tradition of the onsen. The streets are narrow and cobbled, they are kept clear of snow bu the hot water running under them. Nozawa Onsen is famous for its public hot-springs with more than 30 springs located throughout the village. Nozawa is the place to explore small traditional Izakayas and ramen restaurants, featuring the very best of local produce. Not much English is spoken so dining is best experienced with an open mind.

Situated 80 kilometres west of Sapporo and only one and half hour's drive from Sapporo Chitose Airport, Rusutsu is considered by many to be Hokkaido's best overall ski experience. The resort itself offers a range of restaurants and there is a wave pool and different public baths. The ski area is spread over three peaks and boasts as one of the largest most modern lift networks in Hokkaido. Your Rusutsu lift ticket also includes night skiing until 9:00pm each evening. There is a wide variety of ski terrain to suit all levels of skiers and snowboarders, and like its neighbour Niseko has some superb powder conditions during the ski season. The peak Mt Izola offers long challenging runs with panoramic scenery. The Epic and Epic Local Pass now include 5 days of skiing at Rusutsu.

Shiga Kogen is situated in the heart of the Johshinetsu Kogen National Park and is by far the largest ski resort in Japan, with 21 interlinked resorts all on one lift ticket! Shiga covers a huge area and offers a great diversity of natrual terrain. Famous for its grand scale, amazing panoramic views and snow quantity, Shiga Kogen is the ultimate destination for the keen skier and snowboarder and also boasts one of the longest seasons in Japan due to its higher elevation. The accommodation at Shiga Kogen is spread out around many distinct "villages"and most of the accommoation is ski-in/ski-out or located very close to the slopes.

Tomamu is a modern resort located in central Hokkaido, which means the abundant of snow they recieve is usually light and dry. There is a good mix of runs and the controlled 'off piste' skiing and boarding is exceptional. On the mountian Cat Skiing is available and the base area is filled with snow activities such as snowmobiling, snow rafting, cross country skiing, paraskiing, snowshoeing and dog sledding. One of Tomamu's highlights is the illuminated village which is a collection of domes constructed entirely of snow and ice. If you want a break from the snow, you can visit Mina Mina beach which has one of Japan's largest indoor wave pools! There are plenty of restaurants throughout the small resort to smaple great local Hokkaido produce.