You can't compare Japanese & Tourist. Mostly Japanese which going Hokkaido on Feb will be self driving + they had winter driving experience which most Malaysian don't have snow driving experience at all. You are heading south (towards Hakodate)...If you heading Asahikawa, Abashiri...that another story. Without chain on tyre, no way you can reach north side of Hokkaido.

I been Hokkaido more than anyone in this forum....I got 4 season experience & all Winter snow festivals experience. I been Wakkanai / Asahikawa / Abashiri / Kushiro / Biei & Furano on Jan / Feb / March before. That why anyone talking about Hokkaido on Winter, I first ask them got any Winter Driving experience 

In this forum section so many years, So far I know only me & another guy (forgot his name) in this forum has been hiking Daizetsushan on Winter + Summer 
But I go even more beyond, I got Sounkyo's Ice Festival experience + Sounkyo's Ice Waterfall climbing experience. 

BTW, so far, I still only person in this forum been Abashiri Ice Breaker Cruise. 

In short, My experience on Hokkaido bao everthing, any season any activities. As a this forum most experience guy. I need to be very responsible, I need make sure the guy which travel to Hokkaido during that season safety.

Did you fly from sapporo or took the train to abashiri