The Ultimate Japow Guide: What is Japow?

The Magic of Japow

Picture this: You’re in hip-high fresh snow, floating on your board, no resistance, just weightless turns, tree runs and face shots all day. Every run hit like a reset button, pure stoke from first chair to last light. This isn’t just snow; this is Japow, powder lines and endless smiles – the best feeling in the world. Ready to drop?
This season, I had the chance to experience Japow and it was everything I had dreamed of. In this blog, I’ll take you in eight steps through my powder-chasing adventure across Hokkaido northern end of Japan, where the turns were bottomless, the tree runs were surreal, and the stoke was all-time.

Do you know what I mean?

But first, what is Japow?

Japow, short for Japanese Powder Snow, refers to the famously soft, fluffy snow that covers Japan each winter. Thanks to Japan’s unique geography and climate, icy winds from Siberia sweep across the Sea of Japan, absorbing moisture before hitting the mountains. The result? Massive dumps of ultra-light, dry snow, some of the most consistent powder conditions on Earth. There’s even the term “Japanuary” that riders use to describe the month of January, known for its endless fresh snow days.

Why is Japan’s snow different from Switzerland’s?
Japan’s legendary powder is all about geography and weather. Cold Siberian winds pick up moisture over the Sea of Japan and unload it as feather-light snow when they reach the mountains. Its northern location and proximity to the ocean help build a deep, reliable snowpack.
Switzerland, on the other hand, gets moist air from the Atlantic. As it moves into the Alps, it drops heavier, wetter snow. The Gulf Stream’s warming influence also plays a role. While Swiss snow is still great, it doesn’t quite match the dry, dreamy texture of Japow.

Why is Hokkaido the Holy Grail of Powder?
A warm ocean current off Hokkaido keeps the Sea of Japan relatively warm in winter. As freezing Siberian air moves over it, steam rises, cools, and forms snow-heavy clouds. These clouds drift inland, hit the hills, and release famously dry, fluffy snow. Some areas in Hokkaido, like Niseko, can receive up to 15 meters of snowfall per season, an absolutely wild amount. That’s what makes Hokkaido the holy grail of powder riding.

Have you shredded Japow yet?
Drop a comment below with your favorite resort, sickest lines or deepest powder days! Planning your first trip? Let’s talk – drop your questions below, and I’ll help you make it epic!

Stay tuned for next week’s blog post: The Ultimate Japow Guide: My Japow Adventure

Until then: pray for snow, wax your board, and dream of face shots.

Media: All video footage is owned by me. Some images were generated using Midjourney AI.