Japanese snow conditions are simply epic. Powder, powder and more powder! In 2009 it is said that Niseko had more than 18 meters of snow fall over the whole season. That's a lot of fresh snow.
Of course, there are many renowned powder destinations around the world, but very few compare to Japan’s unique environment. As a country that receives one of the highest snowfalls in the world, you’d almost expect the snow to be a little wet and heavy. Think Tahoe or Whistler: huge amounts of snow, but not as dry as their in-land counterparts like Colorado and Banff.
Japan gets the best of both worlds. Northwest winds bring intense cold air streams and strengthening weather systems down from Siberia picking up just enough moisture on their way over the Sea of Japan. And the first thing these systems hit is the mountains of Hokkaido, where they bust their almighty load unleashing some of the driest powder snow in the world.
Not convinced yet? Well, the water content in Japanese snow is often as low as 4%. Compare that to Utah’s usual 7% (another internationally renowned powder haven) and you have quite a difference. Typical temperatures in Japan’s ski resorts can range from -5° to -15° C, during mid-winter months. Whilst not as cold as snowy destinations like Norway or Quebec, this temperature helps maintain the balance between frequent sizable snowfalls and the preserving of the snow’s condition days after a storm.
There has to be dry spells, surely? Of course! Like anywhere in the world the weather fluctuates. Japan will always have periods of sunny weather without any fresh snow falling. But the dry spells in Hokkaido are definitely less frequent than in other winter sports meccas. Niseko recorded snowfalls on 121 days of the 170 day 2009/10 winter season! On the flip side, this means that blue sky days don't occur as often as they would in Europe or North America.
How about the off-piste regulations? The controversy around off-piste in Japan has become notorious throughout the international snow sports industry. There certainly are resorts in Japan that do not allow ANY off-piste skiing or riding. However, there are a good number of resorts in Hokkaido who permit off-piste in certain areas. The amount of terrain available can vary a lot, depending on the resort. Resorts such as Niseko United have very clear permitted off-piste areas that open and close depending on snow stability - and there's some vast expanses there to track. Resorts such as Furano have a more strict approach, where permission has to be granted when heading under the ropes - but there's some awesome spots to be found. Other resorts simply have a more relaxed approach allowing you to go anywhere 'at your own risk'. It's important to note that avalanche control in Japan varies massively, so whilst on-piste areas are always safe those gray zones in the side-country might not be.
At Powder Detours... we know the spots, we watch the conditions and we find the goods. Day-to-day conditions can be affected by wind direction, micro-climates and snow stability, so we utilise local comprehensive knowledge to find the best conditions at any resort on any given day.
When we think of skiing in Japan, the first image that comes to mind is clouds of endless billowing powder, as lucky skiers and boarders rampage between the oh-so-perfectly spaced trees like pigs in the proverbial. And it’s true: it snows in Japan like nowhere else on Earth! The sheer magnitude of angel dust that can fall from the sky is completely and utterly mind-booggling. It’s like being in marshmallow land – but sweeter. Considering how light and dry the snow is, the weight of it that can accumulate is truly insane. It just blankets everything. It needs to be seen to be believed.
The problem is, the secret is well and truly out now. While once Japan was the preserve of the most dedicated travelling powder hound, whispered about in hushed tones over late night beers and cheap hand-rolled cigarettes in dimly-lit ski bars, it seems like every pro skier and their Mum were filming in Hokkaido this season. It’s not just the pros either: Niseko’s Grand Hirafu now feels more like a slightly (ok, much) snowier outpost of Australia (seriously, it’s a wonder they don’t have Fosters on tap yet), and the ski area gets tracked almost as quickly as St Anton when the Scandi Army’s in town.
So in these times where over-enlightened ski bums with generous overdrafts seemingly chase the snowy dream halfway around the world just to poach your line, can the discerning powder pillager still find enough untracked to satiate their appetite in the Land of the Rising Sun?
Ooooh yeah. Big time. You just have to look a little further than Niseko (though it’s still a great base to explore the island from). Here are my top tips – just, er, don’t tell anyone…
#5: Moiwa
Moiwa is like Niseko’s little brother, and literally just around the corner from Annupuri – in fact there are some great backcountry runs between the two resorts, though you can also take a shuttle bus. Despite being so close to Niseko, Moiwa rarely picks up the crowds of its larger neighbour, and you can often ski deep, untracked powder all day long.
It’s only really worth heading to Moiwa when gate 6 (allowing backcountry access) is open, but when it is a short sidestep and skate along the ridge brings you to a gorgeous bowl, with great fall line skiing down through the trees. Watch out along the track back to the lifts at the bottom though: one fluffed turn will see you falling into the river below, and there isn’t much room to take evasive action if someone stops in front of you…
Japanese snow conditions are simply epic. Powder, powder and more powder! In 2009 it is said that Niseko had more than 18 meters of snow fall over the whole season. That's a lot of fresh snow.
Of course, there are many renowned powder destinations around the world, but very few compare to Japan’s unique environment. As a country that receives one of the highest snowfalls in the world, you’d almost expect the snow to be a little wet and heavy. Think Tahoe or Whistler: huge amounts of snow, but not as dry as their in-land counterparts like Colorado and Banff.
Japan gets the best of both worlds. Northwest winds bring intense cold air streams and strengthening weather systems down from Siberia picking up just enough moisture on their way over the Sea of Japan. And the first thing these systems hit is the mountains of Hokkaido, where they bust their almighty load unleashing some of the driest powder snow in the world.
Not convinced yet? Well, the water content in Japanese snow is often as low as 4%. Compare that to Utah’s usual 7% (another internationally renowned powder haven) and you have quite a difference. Typical temperatures in Japan’s ski resorts can range from -5° to -15° C, during mid-winter months. Whilst not as cold as snowy destinations like Norway or Quebec, this temperature helps maintain the balance between frequent sizable snowfalls and the preserving of the snow’s condition days after a storm.
There has to be dry spells, surely? Of course! Like anywhere in the world the weather fluctuates. Japan will always have periods of sunny weather without any fresh snow falling. But the dry spells in Hokkaido are definitely less frequent than in other winter sports meccas. Niseko recorded snowfalls on 121 days of the 170 day 2009/10 winter season! On the flip side, this means that blue sky days don't occur as often as they would in Europe or North America.
How about the off-piste regulations? The controversy around off-piste in Japan has become notorious throughout the international snow sports industry. There certainly are resorts in Japan that do not allow ANY off-piste skiing or riding. However, there are a good number of resorts in Hokkaido who permit off-piste in certain areas. The amount of terrain available can vary a lot, depending on the resort. Resorts such as Niseko United have very clear permitted off-piste areas that open and close depending on snow stability - and there's some vast expanses there to track. Resorts such as Furano have a more strict approach, where permission has to be granted when heading under the ropes - but there's some awesome spots to be found. Other resorts simply have a more relaxed approach allowing you to go anywhere 'at your own risk'. It's important to note that avalanche control in Japan varies massively, so whilst on-piste areas are always safe those gray zones in the side-country might not be.
At Powder Detours... we know the spots, we watch the conditions and we find the goods. Day-to-day conditions can be affected by wind direction, micro-climates and snow stability, so we utilise local comprehensive knowledge to find the best conditions at any resort on any given day.
When we think of skiing in Japan, the first image that comes to mind is clouds of endless billowing powder, as lucky skiers and boarders rampage between the oh-so-perfectly spaced trees like pigs in the proverbial. And it’s true: it snows in Japan like nowhere else on Earth! The sheer magnitude of angel dust that can fall from the sky is completely and utterly mind-booggling. It’s like being in marshmallow land – but sweeter. Considering how light and dry the snow is, the weight of it that can accumulate is truly insane. It just blankets everything. It needs to be seen to be believed.
The problem is, the secret is well and truly out now. While once Japan was the preserve of the most dedicated travelling powder hound, whispered about in hushed tones over late night beers and cheap hand-rolled cigarettes in dimly-lit ski bars, it seems like every pro skier and their Mum were filming in Hokkaido this season. It’s not just the pros either: Niseko’s Grand Hirafu now feels more like a slightly (ok, much) snowier outpost of Australia (seriously, it’s a wonder they don’t have Fosters on tap yet), and the ski area gets tracked almost as quickly as St Anton when the Scandi Army’s in town.
So in these times where over-enlightened ski bums with generous overdrafts seemingly chase the snowy dream halfway around the world just to poach your line, can the discerning powder pillager still find enough untracked to satiate their appetite in the Land of the Rising Sun?
Ooooh yeah. Big time. You just have to look a little further than Niseko (though it’s still a great base to explore the island from). Here are my top tips – just, er, don’t tell anyone…
#5: Moiwa
Moiwa is like Niseko’s little brother, and literally just around the corner from Annupuri – in fact there are some great backcountry runs between the two resorts, though you can also take a shuttle bus. Despite being so close to Niseko, Moiwa rarely picks up the crowds of its larger neighbour, and you can often ski deep, untracked powder all day long.
It’s only really worth heading to Moiwa when gate 6 (allowing backcountry access) is open, but when it is a short sidestep and skate along the ridge brings you to a gorgeous bowl, with great fall line skiing down through the trees. Watch out along the track back to the lifts at the bottom though: one fluffed turn will see you falling into the river below, and there isn’t much room to take evasive action if someone stops in front of you…
pku 寫:NOTHING TO SAY AGAIN, POOR SHAMELESS STUPID OLD MAN
