r/japow

Rumors say theres going to be a "super" el nino forecasted for next year, im planning a trip to niseko and neighboring hokaido resorts in late february, whats the impact?

Going next february during 2nd and 3rd weeks of the month. 2nd will be spent at niseko, and originally 3rd was to be planned at hakuba valley, however the "super el nino" is scary. Most hotels at niseko our booked, would it be better to stick to hakuba or head over to furano for the 3rd week of feb?

Was in Myoko last season and enjoyed it but the powder season felt short and sweet, with rain and warmer weather most of December and from mid Feb onwards (only 6ish weeks of consistent powder). Coming back for my second year WHV and seems like Myoko will probably be worse than it was last year with the El Niño.

Should I be trying to find a job in Hokkaido to try maximise my powder consumption?

I am planning to go to ski in Nozawa Onsen at the end of the year and was wondering if the restricted area(Yamabiko) was in bounds. Also on the trail map it says there is a self responsibility area. Where is that and is it in bounds

I am interested in doing Hakuba next season mid to late feb. I was there last year around the same time and a crazy heat wave came in so the temp was around 10 degrees. I feel like I did not experience hakuba properly and I never did the top Happo gate either. For next season im stuck between Myoko, Hakuba, Furano and kutchan area so where would you recommend. Also with the El Niño next year, will it get so hot again in Hakuba and what are the chances of pow?

Thanks in advance

I will be going to japan this year and it’s a dream of mine to ski avy barriers, where do you reccomend to try where they are more “legal”. I know you are not supposed to do them but they look amazing, what is the punishment if you get caught?

We’re coming to Niseko (Hirafu) next February. I’m not entirely sure how the ski resort works, though. We’re actually hoping to hit the powder. What’s the situation exactly? Is it a normal ski slope with so much snow that you can ski in the powder easily, or do you have to go off-piste? Is it worth getting an avalanche rescue kit?
Thanks so much for your replies!

Hey powder hounds,

My partner and I are heading to Japan next year for a ski/snowboard trip and would love some recommendations.

We both prefer places that feel a bit more off the beaten track and less crowded. Skill-wise, I’m a confident beginner, while my partner is advanced, so we’re trying to find resorts that work well for both.

One extra challenge: I’m vegan, so food accessibility is a pretty big factor for us. I know travelling in rural Japan can be tricky without eating meat, fish, egg, etc., so I’d love advice from anyone who’s done ski trips there as a vegan.

We already have one week booked in Nozawa Onsen, and we’re now looking for a second destination somewhere else on Honshu. We're pretty open to suggestions at this stage (even if they are "pack your own food and eat raw tofu"). I may be eating like one egg a week sort of thing, but will make myself sick if I do anymore unfortunately :')

Any recommendations, tips, or recommended spots?

Coming from Australia next year and am in need of a new ski jacket (RIP my fave Orage jacket). What are prices like in Japan for gear? Will be landing in Tokyo and skiing in Myoko, for reference.

I’ve been given the once in a lifetime opportunity to plan a ski trip to Japan with my dad. We are looking for help finding a tour company to help organize the logistics related to skiing in Japan. This means, we want to fly into an airport and then have to logistics managed from there. We are both solid skiers, from the Rocky Mountain area of the U.S., and want the powder experience, but don’t want to skin or hike for our turns (my dad is in his 70s). We want to go in January and ski for 6 or 7 days. No need to see all of Japan, really just going to ski! Please help!

Hey powder hounds,

My partner and I are heading to Japan next year for a ski/snowboard trip and would love some recommendations.

We both prefer places that feel a bit more off the beaten track and less crowded. Skill-wise, I’m a confident beginner, while my partner is advanced, so we’re trying to find resorts that work well for both.

One extra challenge: I’m vegan, so food accessibility is a pretty big factor for us. I know travelling in rural Japan can be tricky without eating meat, fish, egg, etc., so I’d love advice from anyone who’s done ski trips there as a vegan.

We already have one week booked in Nozawa Onsen, and we’re now looking for a second destination somewhere else on Honshu. We're pretty open to suggestions at this stage (even if they are "pack your own food and eat raw tofu"). I may be eating like one egg a week sort of thing, but will make myself sick if I do anymore unfortunately :')

Any recommendations, tips, or recommended spots?

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to buy a new pair of skis. I’m heading to Japan next winter, but I need to upgrade my setup (I’m still rocking old race skis as my daily drivers, haha).

I’m looking for something around 110mm underfoot so I can enjoy the deep powder but still use them back home in the French Alps.

My stats & info:

• Height/Weight: 183 cm (6'0") / 75 kg.
• Level: Advanced. Former (very?)-low-level racer, now focused on freeriding for the past few seasons.
• Terrain: Deep powder in Japan + freeride and occasional piste in the Alps.
• Budget: $250 - $400 (looking for used/previous seasons' models).

After some research, I’ve narrowed it down to these models:

What would you recommend? Do you have any experience with these models? Is there anything else I should consider ?

Thanks in advance :)

https://preview.redd.it/k5suuvherl0h1.png?width=1566&format=png&auto=webp&s=c2a1b8a6e03080ac5d763cc6bdd8d31086706075

https://preview.redd.it/cwykbtkgrl0h1.png?width=1570&format=png&auto=webp&s=2219962958680f93b6af79a1ff79485d97063b82

https://preview.redd.it/0ols9hcirl0h1.png?width=1566&format=png&auto=webp&s=633fe1e531dbad8f2c6f23c7c001d66ceb00a5c2

Hi

I am thinking of going to myoko kogen this winter around mid to late feb. From what I have heard it gets loads of snow and its great as its close to many other resorts and has a nice town. However I do have a few questions:

I have heard that the powder is very heavy, even more so than Hakuba, is it that noticeable?

Also how is the terrain, are there cool places to hike to and get untouched powder with cool lines?

How strict are they on ducking ropes and doing side country and do they have any side country gates similar to niskeo, hakuba or furano?

How is the competition for fresh tracks?

I saw that myoko gets more snow that furano and similar to Rusutsu, but if I really want powder is it comparable to Hokkaido?

Finally, do you think that Myoko will get impacted by the el nino as it is low altitude.

Thanks in advance

Hello! I'm planning a trip to Japan, and I'd like to see the trees with red foliage in the fall (Momiji) and also see the snow. So, I made the following schedule to december 2026:

• dec 1 – dec 5: Osaka and Kyoto
• dec 6 – dec 9: Tokyo
• dec 10 – dec 12: Sapporo

Do you think it's possible to see autumn and snow with this plan?

Hi! We are considering Club Med for part of our Japan ski trip in Feb 2027. It will be two adults, a 10 year old and a 14 month old travelling. 1 x experienced snow boarder, 1 x beginner skiier, 1 x kid beginner snowboarder.

- Does anyone have a recommendation for either Club Med Tomamu or Club Med Kiroro Grand?

- Is it worth it? It seems so expensive! We have to hire equipment on top of all other costs

Thanks so much

Are there any car companies that are flexible about extending your booking at short notice?

I will have a car in Hokkaido and plan to go to Honshu afterwards. I want to make a car hire booking that is easy to extend in the case that the conditions aren’t great in Honshu.

Does anyone have experience with this and can recommend a car hire company?