Hakuba vs Niseko vs Furano – Which Mountain Is Calling You This Winter?

Short On Time? Skip Ahead!

- Why To Check Out Hakuba

- Why To Check Out Niseko

- Why To Check Out Furano

Why To Check Out Hakuba

10 resorts, some of Japan’s best bars and by far the biggest collection of terrain parks, Hakuba is an epic option for those looking for an action-packed Japow adventure. 

Here’s the top 5 things we think are making so many turn their heads towards the Hakuba Valley this winter:

1. Snowfall

Two years ago, if we included snowfall as the first cab off the rank to hype Hakuba’s point of difference, you would have all laughed at us and left a whole heap of nasty comments. NOT ANYMORE. 

Last year’s winter season (2024/25) saw the snow gods absolutely open up over the Hakuba Valley alps, dumping the region’s biggest annual snowfall in easily over 10 years, and the best early-season coverage in 68 years! So while Niseko is seen as the powder capital of Japan and Furano is literally located in the Hokkaido ‘powder belt’, it seems Hakuba may be fighting its way to the title of Japan’s snow capital. We guess 2025/26 will be the ultimate decider!


2. Events

Snow Machine, the Yukimi Film Festival, the Freeride World Qualifiers – when it comes to Japan’s mountain resorts event calendar, Hakuba reigns supreme – no matter what style of event you’re chasing. On-snow comps, music and festivals, fire fests, Hakuba truly has it all, packing the action both on and off the slopes!


3. Park

Now, this one’s not really a secret. If you’re chasing pow, Niseko is your best bet (normally). If you’re a park rat chasing the best terrain parks in the land of the rising sun, Hakuba is the choice for you. With over 10 resorts in the area, Hakuba hosts some of Japan’s most ultimate on-snow terrain parks. From the epic selection of large-scale features at Hakuba’s 47 to the Oakley TGPARK at Tsugaike, you’ll never be short of features to boost off when visiting the Hakuba Valley.

4. Free Riding

The Freeriding World Qualifiers haven’t just settled on Hakuba because it’s an OK destination for freeriding…

Hakuba is one of the best spots for freeriding! But what makes it stand out as such an epic spot? Science, my dudes, science. A quick glance at the stats for each of Japan’s main resorts shows that Hakuba sits as one of the highest resorts in Japan’s alpine ranges, with its highest peaks sitting at just over 3,000 metres high (nearly as tall as Mt Fuji). 

As such, riders are offered steeper slopes, taller mountains, higher starting points and bigger drops than other popular Japanese skiing destinations. It also offers more options for back and side country touring thanks to its easily accessible gate system. 

5. Quaint Japanese Feeling

Every ski resort gets gentrified, every ski resort develops, it’s all a part of the industry. Yet, even with large-scale developments and renovations coming to town over recent years, Hakuba is holding true to its authentic Japanese feeling. Small izakaya, traditional ryokan, rice paddies as far as the eye can see, Hakuba truly feels like a Japanese village (even if it hosts millions of tourists over the winter months). Giving it a ‘best of both worlds’ feeling that takes all the best aspects from both Japanese and Western cultures.

Why To Check Out Niseko

It’s Niseko – you’ve all heard about it, but have you ridden it? Four interconnect resorts, endless backcountry terrain and some of the best fine-dining locations to be found at ski resorts worldwide, if you haven’t ticked Niseko off the bucket list yet, here’s 5 reasons you should:

1. The Classic, For A Reason

You gotta respect the classics, and when it comes to Japan’s ski resorts, Niseko is THE classic. The staple, the icon, the favourite – and for damn good reason. Each and every season, Niseko receives an average of 14 - 15 metres of snow. METRES. For all the North Americans out there, that’s 49 ft. And if you put that in perspective of a Subway foot-long sandwich, that’s a lot of sandwiches... 

Naturally, if you’re chasing pow, Niseko remains the classic (and will forever will be).


2. Backcountry

If you’ve ever visited Niseko, hiked up Gate 3 to the peak on a bluebird day and looked around, you would have seen mountains as far as the eye can see in each and every direction. Each of which is rideable to backcountry enthusiasts. So when it comes to backcountry terrain, Niseko reigns supreme, offering countless options, varied terrain and different perks depending on which mountain you choose to visit.


3. Dining

When it comes to dining, Niseko packs every sensation that your mouth could possibly dream of. From Michelin-starred sushi experiences, to traditional hole-in-the-wall ramen and izakaya spots to internationally-inspired pub food, Niseko has it all. So if you want to come over and lose a few KG’s each day while you’re out riding, to then pack on said kilo’s once it gets to nightfall, Niseko is a perfect place to eat your way through the whole town. 

4. Retail

Even outside of our STACKED Rhythm Summit location in Niseko, the options for retail therapy don’t stop. Whether you’re chasing baggy pants from local retailers like Public Menace, want to stock up on Mountain Merch omiyage for your loved ones back home, or are looking to upgrade your fit at branded Burton and Moncler stores, Niseko has your retail therapy sorted. Our only tip, pack light so you’ve got extra space to bring extra items back home. Trust us, you’ll need it.

6. POW

Everyone uses ‘Japow’ to refer to all of Japan’s mountain resorts, but let’s be real, they’re talking about Niseko. As we said, it’s the Japow Classic for a reason….

Why To Check Out Furano

A new favourite for a reason, Furano’s two main ski fields, endless powder and smaller, less busy atmosphere help Hokkaido’s best kept secret stand out as the pick for powder hounds this winter.

1. Lesser Crowds

Let’s be real, how many friends have you had tell you stories about their trip to Furano? Not many, if any. Having only just begun to emerge as one of Japan’s newest contenders for ski holidays, Furano stands up as having some of the lightest and driest snow in all of the country, heaps of pow (sitting within the Hokkaido powder belt) and most importantly, lesser crowds! 

As Furano is still an up and coming destination, many are too scared to take a risk on something new and would rather go to the places they’ve already heard all about. So if you want to stray from the path, get more pow than you could ever dream of and not spend half your time standing in lift lines, we think Furano is the place for you.


2. New Terrain

It doesn’t matter if you’re telling your kids about seeing Rage Against The Machine back in ‘98 or that they don’t make Ford Fairlane’s like they used to, everyone loves to claim that they were the first to do something – and that it was better when they did it. It’s something we see A LOT with ski resorts.

‘Oh you went to Niseko… we went there in 2007, back when it wasn’t as busy…’

If the above is a statement that rings true to you, either because you’re always ahead of the trends, or because you’re always late to the party and are trying to figure out how everyone else beats you to the trends, we suggest you check out Furano. 

Trust us, this winter is almost the last time we can refer to Furano as Hokkaido’s best kept secret, within a couple of years the secret will be well and truly out.

3. Onsen

No matter where you choose to visit in Japan, you have access to some pretty surreal onsen facilities – even in inner-city Tokyo! But there’s just something about a mountain onsen that tops the list every time, and in Furano, there’s not just a few main onsens. There’s most of Hokkaido’s BEST onsen, all within a short drive from one another. 

Seriously, when it comes to onsen, Furano is like the Napa Valley is to Americans. Hot springs, wineries, dairy farms – and pow, lots of it.

4. Family Affairs

Family-run ramen and izakaya, local BnB’s, traditional ryokan, if you’re looking for family-run affairs, Furano is the home of hearty and wholesome. Having only just begun to emerge as a prominent ski field, Furano hasn’t had the same option to rely on international tourism as Niseko and Hakuba have over the last 20 years. So if you’re hunting the traditional Japan feeling, both on and off the snow, Furano’s rich history will have you in awe.

5. Instagram Ops

Want to know what every viral photo spot has in common? Someone took a photo there first! 

Yep, it may be hard to imagine, but once upon a time there was a trend-setter who decided the contrast of Lawsons in front of Mt Fuji was worthy of a photo, fast forward a few years and influencers are jetting from all around the world to take the same shot! 

Furano is in that same boat. Mountain ranges as far as the eye can see, picteresuq flower farms and rice paddies – Furano is Japan’s nature at its finest, giving you infinite good photo ops!