What do you think of when you hear the words “winter activities in Furano”?
Furano in winter is truly a world of white and silver.
The vast expanse of snow that falls on the ground creates a majestic atmosphere.
There are many activities in Furano in winter, from thrilling ones to leisurely ones!
This time, I have taken ranking them from my own perspective!
I will introduce you to some of the best winter activities in Furano!

Furano in winter is all about skiing and snowboarding?

 

Quoted：Furano Tourism Association Official Website

When you hear the words “winter activities” in Furano, skiing and snowboarding may come to mind for most people.
Furano has some of the highest quality snow in Hokkaido, and the degree of powder snow is the best in the world compared to other areas.
Especially popular is the Furano Ski Resort, the largest ski resort in Furano, which is only an hour away from Asahikawa Airport.

Furano Ski Resort is one of Hokkaido’s representative ski resorts, where you can enjoy long runs of over 4 km with views of the Daisetsuzan mountain range.
Furano Ski Resort has many courses that beginners can enjoy, as well as an advanced course with a maximum slope of 38°!
It is a great point to enjoy skiing with friends of different levels.

However, many people may feel that skiing and snowboarding are the norm in winter.
Furano offers a variety of activities that even such people can enjoy in winter!
It’s getting more and more interesting, isn’t it?
Let’s take a look at the ranking!

My Furano Activity Ranking in Winter

No. 6: Snowshoeing in Furano in winter!

For those who are not good at exercising but want to enjoy Furano in winter, we recommend the snowshoeing experience.
Snowshoes are not just snow shoes.
To put it simply, snowshoes are like ski boards that are slightly larger than shoes.
When you walk outside on a day with heavy snowfall, you may find your feet buried in the snow, right?
With snowshoes, the area of your feet in contact with the snow is larger, so you can gain buoyancy on the snow.

We also recommend that you wake up early and plan to enjoy a morning walk!

No. 5: Wakasagi Fishing!

If you want to fully enjoy Furano in winter, then wakasagi (smelt) fishing is the activity for you!
Wakasagi fishing is a popular winter activity among locals, and many people from all over Japan come to Furano.

You can eat the wakasagi you catch as tempura right on the spot!
It is said that the taste of wakasagi is determined by the quality of the water, and Lake Katsurazawa, one of the lakes where you can fish for wakasagi in Furano, boasts water so pure that it is even used as drinking water.
Wakasagi grown here have no odor at all, so tempura is a must-try!
The crispy wakasagi are so tasty that you could eat them forever.
If you are lucky enough to see a big school of wakasagi, you may even be able to catch a super big catch…!

No. 4: Just off the ground! Soak up Furano’s powder snow on an airboard!

For those who want to enjoy powder snow in Furano in winter, we recommend “airboarding,” a very popular activity born in Switzerland.
At first glance, air-boarding may look like a cute children’s float, but it is so thrilling and exciting that even adults can’t help but squeal with delight!
It is slowly becoming one of the most popular winter activities in Furano.

One of the most unique features of airboarding is the proximity of your face to the ground while you are sliding!
Unlike skiing and snowboarding, which are done standing up, airboarding is done lying down, so you get powder snow on your face as much as possible!
The exhilaration and thrill of airboarding is unmatched by any other winter sport.
Many fathers have become so addicted to the sport that they leave their families behind, so be careful when trying it!

No. 3: Like a drone! Motor Paraglider Aerial Experience

If you want to take some Instagram-worthy pictures in Furano in winter, we recommend the activity of motor paragliding.
Motor paragliding is an activity in which paragliders are powered to fly.
Since it is a tandem flight with a skilled instructor, it does not require a license or special qualifications, and even beginners can enjoy this activity.
It can be enjoyed not only in winter but also in early summer, but the most important thing is that in winter, the sound is less likely to echo thanks to the snow that falls, and you can have a fantastic experience flying in a very quiet space!

Depending on the day and conditions, it is even possible to fly above the sea of clouds.
Many people are envious of this activity, saying that they want to experience it at least once in their lives.
It is not possible to experience this activity when the wind is strong, but if you are lucky enough to experience it, you will be able to capture the best picture of your life!
Please try it at least once.

No. 2: Furano’s winter scenery from an altitude of 1,000 meters! A hot air balloon experience

If you are going to Furano in winter, you may want to experience an exciting activity while enjoying nature!
How about taking a free flight in a hot air balloon, another activity in the sky?
Hot air balloons can be experienced in the summer as well, but the main difference between winter and winter is the altitude at which the balloon rises.

In summer, hot-air balloons need a place to land, so they can only go up 20 to 30 meters on a rope, but in winter, thanks to the snowfall, a large area is available for landing, and the altitude of a free-flight balloon can exceed 1,000 meters without even a rope!
It is very rare to experience such a spectacular activity, isn’t it?

However, this ballooning experience is greatly affected by the strength of the wind that day.
No matter how clear the weather is, if the wind exceeds a certain speed, you will not be able to enjoy the experience.
Please pay attention to the weather forecast and enjoy the most exciting experience in Furano in winter!

No. 1: Dog Sledding!

The first place in the list of winter activities is “Dog Sledding”!
This activity, which is gradually becoming a hot topic of conversation in Furano in winter, is not just a simple ride on a sled with dogs attached to it, as we have already introduced in this column.
You, as the rider, become the pilot of the dogs and let them run in the direction you want them to go!

There is no need to worry that you might not be able to do it because you are a beginner.
The dogs are very obedient and will listen to you, and the guide will give you a thorough lecture on how to control the dogs before the experience.

Moreover, this activity can be experienced for as little as 30 minutes, so even those who want to experience many things in Furano in winter can do so easily.
Many people who have actually experienced this activity are very satisfied with it, saying that it was an unforgettable experience!

Let’s enjoy many of winter activities in Furano in winter!

How was the ranking of winter activities?
The activities you can experience in Furano in winter are all very hot!
We hope you will try some winter activities in Furano that you will be proud to show off to those around you, while taking care of your own safety.
We wish you a great trip!

For Hokkaido activity experiences visit Basho Trip