JAPOW stands for “Japan Powder,” and the fresh snow in Hokkaido is said to be of the highest quality. Among them, the Niseko area is famous among skiers and snowboarders from all over the world, and is an area that people look at with envy and say, “I want to go there at least once in my life.”
This article will introduce how to enjoy JAPOW in the Niseko area.
JAPOW
Why does Hokkaido have so much snow? Hokkaido faces three seas (Sea of Japan, Sea of Okhotsk, and Pacific Ocean), and warm currents flow through the Sea of Japan, which is located on the west side, and is characterized by being warm even in winter. The warm air filled with water vapor over the Sea of Japan is cooled by cold winds coming from Siberia, creating rain clouds over the sea. It moves over the land of Hokkaido, hits the mountains and stagnates, causing snow to fall in the area below.
In particular, the Niseko area is sandwiched between the Niseko Annupuri mountain, where the ski resort is located, and Mt. Yotei, also known as Ezo Fuji, and is a region with heavy snowfall, where a large amount of snow falls every year. With 300-400cm of snow falling from December to February, the snowiest period, skiers and snowboarders from all over the world head to Niseko to enjoy fresh powder snow every day.
NISEKO UNITED
The representative ski resort in the Niseko area is called NISEKO UNITED, which consists of four ski resorts (Niseko Annupuri International Ski Resort, Niseko Village Ski Resort, Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu, and Niseko HANAZONO Resort) located on one mountain called Niseko Annupuri. )
There are all-mountain tickets that allow you to be freely skiing or snowboarding between the four ski resorts, and tickets for each ski resort (Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu and Niseko Hanazono Resort have a common ticket). There are also tickets available.
The Mountain Collective Pass is a ticket from a group of famous ski resorts around the world that allows purchasers to receive two days of free lift tickets at member ski resorts and 50% off on single-day passes on the third and subsequent days.
IKON Pass is also affiliated with top resorts around the world, and depending on its status, purchasers can receive a free one-day pass to the Niseko area. These partnerships with ski resorts around the world have made it easier for skiers and snowboarders around the world to enjoy powder snow at NISEKO UNITED.
Snow Activities
“I understand the appeal of JAPOW, but I can’t ski or snowboard…”
How about trying other snow activities? Of course, you can take a beginner’s lesson and try your hand at it, but there are many other activities as well.
For example, snowmobiles. A one- or two-person snowmobile that allows you to move freely on the snow and feels similar to a motorcycle. You can enjoy snowmobiling on the premises, so you can drive yourself while spraying snow.
Also, snow rafting, where you can enjoy rafting on the snow, which is famous for river rafting. Enjoy the exhilarating speed of riding on a rubber board pulled by a snowmobile. Since you ride on a rubber board, even small children can have fun.
And snow tubing. You can ride in the middle of a tube like a rubber tire and glide down the slope. It can be enjoyed by everyone from small children to adults.
You can also take a snowshoe tour to explore the mountains. Powder snow that no one has stepped on makes it difficult to walk if you wear shoes because they sink. Snowshoes help keep your feet from sinking too deep. You can also put on your snowshoes and explore areas that no one else has set foot on.
Summary
The snow quality in the Niseko area is among the highest in JAPOW! When we spoke to tourists from overseas, they said, “It’s rare to find an area where you can experience such exquisite snow quality at an altitude so close to town.” In order to experience this type of snow in places like Europe, it is said that it is difficult to climb to a high altitude. At the foot of the NISEKO UNITED ski resort where you can experience JAPOW, there are lodging facilities, restaurants, and convenience stores. It is a snow resort that is easy to spend time even for beginners and traveling companions who do not ski or snowboard. Why not take a trip to Niseko, Hokkaido to experience the highest quality snow that you can only experience for yourself?
