Driving north on the expressway toward Niseko, the snowbanks rise higher than the car, tunneling the road. This isn't just weather; it’s geography. Siberian winds sweep across the Sea of Japan, picking up moisture and depositing it on Hokkaido’s mountains in quantities that defy logic—averaging 15 meters of snowfall a season. The locals call it Japow , a term that has become a pilgrim’s chant for skiers and snowboarders worldwide.
The Northern Drift: A Season in the Kingdom of Powder hokkaido japan ski season