Furano Ski Area kicks off the 2016/17 winter season today.

Furano Zone is partially open with Furano Ropeway operating to upload and download skiers to and from the upper mountain. It is not possible to ski from the top to bottom of the mountain yet. The skiable lift is Downhill Romance no.2 chair and the skiable courses are the upper part of Sailer and Spies Course, and Shirakaba Course. If you are feeling like some food on the mountain Restaurant Downhill is open. Kitanomine Zone is closed.

It has turned out to be a great day, firstly starting off with very low cloud down into the village which soon lifted leaving mostly sunshine and blue skies. Temperatures are pretty warm and it feels more like spring than winter, and this is reflected in the snow conditions. Early morning the snow was firm but went soft very quickly.

Right now the snow is a slushy spring. The slopes are well covered with the resort quoting a very respectable 60cm base. Furano Now has been out to have a ski this morning and can report that this is the best coverage I have seen on an opening day.