Singapore: Japan is experiencing a record-breaking snow season, creating both a paradise for skiers and significant challenges for infrastructure and public safety. While the powder conditions are attracting international visitors, particularly from Australia, the heavy snowfall has caused widespread travel disruptions and a rising number of snow-related accidents.
The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo issued a major weather alert on February 6, as regions including Hokkaido and Niigata have received over 183 cm (72 inches) of snow in just 24 hours. This extreme weather has led to flight cancellations at New Chitose Airport and the closure of several major rail lines, impacting travel plans for both tourists and residents.
The conditions are particularly favorable for skiers and snowboarders. “There’s a lot of tourists, a lot of Aussies,” says Ryan Comas, a snowboarder from Townsville, Australia, on his sixth trip to Niseko. “This is probably the best year we’ve experienced here, powder-wise.” The influx of international visitors is up 15% this year, solidifying Japan’s reputation as a premier destination for “Japow” – a term used to describe the country’s famed powder snow.
However, the unprecedented snowfall is straining the infrastructure of remote mountain towns, with snow-removal crews working around the clock to maintain access to essential services. Authorities are urging travelers to exercise extreme caution, particularly when venturing into backcountry areas. The embassy alert emphasizes the significant safety hazards associated with this level of snowfall, advising people to strictly follow the boundaries of managed resorts.
Tragically, the season has been marked by a series of fatal accidents involving foreign nationals. Brooke Day, a 22-year-old Australian snowboarder, died after her avalanche backpack became entangled in a ski lift at Tsugaike Mountain Resort in Nagano Prefecture. Michael Hurst, 27, from Melbourne, died while skiing off-piste in Hokkaido, and 17-year-old Rylan Pribadi, a recent graduate from Brisbane Grammar School, died after colliding with a course boundary rope, also in Niseko. These incidents have prompted increased scrutiny of safety measures at Japanese ski resorts.
Matt Guy, a long-term resident of Japan and local guide in Myoko, Niigata Prefecture, notes that while skiing is generally safe in Japan, facilities and safety protocols may not be on par with those found in Western resorts. “They’re not prepared for English speakers,” Guy says. “Most importantly, they’re not in tune with the attitude and behaviours of what people are seeking – deep powder snow and the adrenaline.”
The Japan Meteorological Agency’s updated seasonal snowfall outlook suggests neutral snowfall for central and northern regions, but above-average snowfall for the southern areas. Despite a slight downgrade from the initial outlook, the current conditions remain exceptional, and further heavy snow is forecast to fall through the weekend, with up to 50 centimetres expected across Hokkaido.
The heavy snowfall is attributed to a cold air mass originating from the Arctic. In Aomori Prefecture, almost 2 metres of snow fell in 24 hours this week – the deepest in 40 years – prompting a request for disaster relief assistance from Japan’s Self-Defense Forces. Authorities have warned of an increased risk of avalanches, falling ice, and snow collapsing from rooftops.
Yusuke Harada, chief researcher of the snow and ice team at the Civil Engineering Research Institute for Cold Region, warned that the terrain in mountainous areas is particularly unstable due to the accumulated snow. He urged backcountry skiers to be vigilant and “have the courage to turn back.” Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun reported that 38 people have been stranded on the mountains so far this winter season – 90 per cent of them while backcountry skiing or snowboarding, more than double the number from the previous season.
The plummeting yen has also contributed to the surge in tourism, making ski holidays in Japan more affordable. Travel agencies are reporting a significant increase in last-minute bookings from both the United States and Australia. Marnie McLaren of The Snow Concierge, a Sydney-based travel agency, says, “That’s what our clients are frothing for. What they want is those big storms.”
Travelers are advised to go with qualified guides, carry full safety equipment, and be prepared for potential emergencies, including having the ability to communicate in Japanese. The recent tragedies serve as a stark reminder of the inherent risks associated with backcountry skiing and snowboarding, even in a renowned powder destination like Japan.
