Thank you so much still looking at all options will plan to stay 2 or 3 days to hopefully not miss it this time .I went in 2020 stayed in Abashiri but weather was bad so never got to see drift ice .This Feb I could not get a hotel reservation as I had to fly to London family emergency and when I tried to book everything full . will get it all sorted early this time .I did see Hokkaido train pass seems reasonable for a week .I dont want to go to Sapporo or Asahikawa as I have seen their snow festivals twice .Hopefully avoid that area as I booked hotel in 2020 was very expensive .I havent been to Monbetsu but boat looked nice. I will hopefully see one or the other.