RPS Japan Tour

Late January we had a very successful tour for RPS here at North Country. Read their report here

Chris Nelson-

To all the crew at North Country Inn;

A massive big thankyou for looking after myself, Rob and Greeny (or puting up with us??) during our stay in Furano.

Now that I can compare from my stay last year, I can say things are better than ever at Nth Country. A extra big thankyou to Gonzo for being so generous.

Chris, Rob, Seki, Lee and Greeny at Bocco bar for their final night in Furano.

Helen Ho - A 'THANK YOU' NOTE

Dear Lee,

Our family was coached to North Country Inn on 22nd December around 6:00pm.  We were greeted by Gonza when we arrived, and we found his assistance invaluable for the rest of our stay.  He checked on our needs frequently but unobtrusively, handled our queries with patience and thoughtfulness, and, all in all, we received his warmth hopsitality at all times.  We have expressed our thankfulness to Gonza how much we appreciate his attentions to details.

As well as thanking Gonza, on behalf of my family, I would also like to extend our big thank to you for helping us organising this wonderful trip. Without you, our family wouldn't have had such a memorable holiday.

I have no hesitation in recommending 'Resort Inn North Country' to people around me.

Best personal regards, Chris, Helen and Natalie (The Ho's Family)

4 February 2007

We returned from a trip to Furano, Hokkaido, Japan on the 23rd of 
December.  We spent nine nights at the North Country Inn. 

The trip was fabulous, the snow was amazing.  Nice, powdery fresh 
snow everyday, cold and clear, and hardly anyone there.  Runs were 
great, lifties were friendly. The mountain was awesome.  Previously, 
we have lived in Nelson, British Columbia for seven years - we had 
passes at both the nordic (Apex) and alpine (Whitewater) ski areas.  
I have skied most of the mountains in British Columbia and I have to 
say Furano was amazing.  The food on the hill was yummy and 
reasonable.  It was not expensive and upscale as Whistler/Blackcomb, 
but comfortable, with lots of variety on the hill.  It was the best 
skiing experience I've ever had.

I live in Hong Kong now and it was great staying within the time 
zone.  My daughter booked the trip as she was studying in Melbourne, 
now she is off to do a semester in London.

The North Country Inn was great.  The room was comfy, the beds were 
great.  My daughter Naomi slept on a futon on the tatami section of 
the room.  The room is heated by a gas heater that worked just fine.  
The other areas of the Inn were warm and comfy too.   There were lots 
of warm quilts and clean towels.  The place was spotless.  The 
bathrooms are small but efficient,  with a deep Japanese tub/shower.  
The manager Gonzo was amazing as well as Seki the desk guy - v. funny 
and helpful (we snowboarded with him on his day off).  They spoke 
English as best they could and they were super helpful.   (The 
English speaking Australian does not start there until the Xmas 
rush).  On our first day after skiing, Gonzo drove us to the ATM at 
the post office (9-5 Monday - Friday), to a sports shop where I 
bought ski boots (this years Salomons - perfect fit) - (cash only - 
credit cards usually don't work in Japan) and a yakatori restaurant 
(he came in and explained about calling us a taxi after our meal).

Furano is small enough that you can walk most  places.  Taxi's are 
pricey compared to Hong Kong.

I highly recommend  the North Country Inn as an:  affordable, 
comfortable, clean, breakfast was not bad, they accommodated 
requests. the Inn's spa was perfect.  Mens and ladies hot pools 
outside, with the typically spotless Japanese changing/shower areas.  
I rented skis from North Country Inn.  They have a variety of 
snowboards, skis and novice boots.  However, for ladies not in larger 
than a US ladies 8.  The Prince Hotel had more technical/advanced 
equipment, but at about 4500+ yen a day.

The nordic skiing was close by, they hadn't groomed for skate 
skiing.  I enquired but didn't find a place to rent nordic equipment, 
there were some fish scales X country skis to buy in town.  There are 
good back-country tours available and they supply the safety 
equipment with the guides.

The shuttle from the North Country Inn to the hill was frequent and 
punctual.  The lift passes were efficient and trusting, we had three 
two day passes, and bought one extra day pass.  We skied/snowboarded 
7 days and went to an onsen on our third day.  Not sure of the name.  
The pools were great, but all the public areas of the building 
allowed smoking.

There are loads of restaurants around Furano.  Delicious seafood, 
sushi,..... English menus with pictures and people willing to 
communicate.  The meals were great and the beer excellent.  We were 
able to eat out for dinner for around $40 AU for the two of us.

Anyhow,  The North Country Inn was great. Furano/Kitanomine was 
fabulous and Furano Tourism Association had great English speakers 
and they were generous with their time.  The season officially opened 
on Dec. 23rd - the day we left.  We were there before all the 
amenities were in place.  Not all the lifts were running when we 
arrived but by our last days they all were.   All in all, a great trip.

Cheers
Jill Walgren 5 January 2007

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