How soon can we go back???!!
Written by J a Skier from Sydney, Australia
27/2/2011
Despite lacking ski in ski out and locker facilities of the New Prince, we really enjoyed the Natulux Hotel for our 2 weeks in Furano (Jan 2011). Located right next to the JR and bus station it is nonetheless uncrowded and quiet, while maintaining high standards in both the rooms and its staff, who went ''above and beyond'' to make us feel at home. Special mention goes to the hard working manager, who noticed our double room was a bit cramped with our large bags and ski gear and as we were staying 14 days, offered us an upgrade to a larger twin room at no cost, plus other thoughtful extras, and Damien the maitre d'' who became our unofficial translator and tour guide to the little mysteries of Furano life.
Both the Natulux ''Natural Dining'' restaurant and cafe also deserve a mention, both serving the best versions of western meals we found, plus local food such as the Furano specialty omu-curry (rice with omelette and curry) made with locally sourced ingredients such as venison.
If you stay there, make sure you try the bath/sauna(men) or the womens bath and hot rock room (women, note there''s a small booking fee for the hot rock room). This is a room with four heated black marble slabs on which you stretch out and melt away any muscle aches. Very relaxing.
The shuttle buses to Kitanomine goldola area are punctual and easy to use, and the ability to explore the quiet snowy streets lit up with Christmas-tree lights, and easily walk to shops and restaurants downtown at night was a real plus.
We loved the mountain too, though we had only 110cm base there was enough fresh and it was cold enough(-26 the morning we left) to keep it in good condition. There was enough variety in the slopes to keep us (both intermediates mostly staying on the groomed areas) challenged. Despite literally hundreds of schoolkids in the beginner areas (plus the Japanese army learning nordic skiing) over our 14 days we had to wait for a lift (other than the ropeway) about twice, and we were lucky enough to get several beautiful blue sky days. Just gorgeous.
Tips:
1. If you''re staying on the Kita side or downtown like us, hire gear from Sportpia (at bottom of the Kita gondola) as they''ll let you leave it there overnight (even my custom boots). Take the shuttle bus and alight at the Naturwald Hotel stop to get there, or just tell any taxi, "gondora".
2. Make sure you visit the tourist info centre and hook up with one of the free mountain guides on your first day. They''ll also let you know about cultural events during your stay and are your best source for maps, bus timetables etc. (Tell Mari, the manager, we sent you!)
3. If you''re looking for off piste/gladed action check out Tomamu, Kamui or elsewhere, Furano is in a national park and unlike many others does not allow out of bounds skiing/boarding because of the potential damage to the trees and also avalanche risk.
4. Food choices on the mountain are a bit limited if you don''t like ramen/udon, however the Cream Stew at the Downhill Restaurant (top of the Furano Ropeway) is the best!!!
5. Off mountain, as well as the Natulux we enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere (and the okonomiyaki) at Masaya and the Tirol BBQ (beware, your clothes will stink of smoke after visiting the Tirol) and surprisingly Topical the sushi train place which the local seem to sneer at but was a sort of "theatre in the round" experience with shouted orders flying back and forth.
Good value.