Australians are hooked on powder and it is coming at a value.
The joys of “Japow”, or Japanese powder, attracts extra vacationers from Australia than another nation to Japan’s snow-covered slopes.
Skiers and snowboarders are drawn to the distinctive snow, which is softer and simpler on the joints.
Nevertheless it’s not all enjoyable and video games.
The tragic deaths of three Australians on Japan’s ski slopes already this yr have bolstered the hazards of alpine sports activities.
Additional underlining the dangers, figures from two insurance coverage corporations counsel claims associated to accidents from snow sports activities in Japan have spiked lately.
Southern Cross Journey Insurance coverage’s chief buyer officer Jess Unusual stated the variety of prospects who claimed for snowboarding and snowboarding accidents in Japan elevated 75 per cent between 2023 and 2025.
She stated the typical value of every declare throughout that point was between $1,100 and $1,500.
Natalie Ball, 1Cover’s chief working officer, additionally stated there was a “vital improve” over the previous three years, together with a 43 per cent spike in claims from 2024 to 2025.
“Whereas general Japan coverage gross sales have grown strongly, winter sports activities add-ons are rising quicker, indicating a rising variety of travellers heading to Japan particularly for snowboarding and snowboarding,” Ms Ball stated.
Visits peak in January the place Australian tour operators and lodging suppliers are booked up with vacationers from everywhere in the world — coining the time period “Japanuary”.
Owen Lansbury is the communications director from the Mountain Security Collective, a not-for-profit that helps back-country skiers with situation reviews and avalanche coaching.
“It is simply the most effective ski vacation spot for Australians by way of ease of journey, worth for cash, superb meals, fascinating tradition, welcoming folks, and naturally the unimaginable snow,”
he stated.
However the rise in foreigners hitting the slopes appears to be contributing to extra accidents, stated Makoto Takayanagi, the top of Japan’s Nationwide Ski Security Measures Council.
Simply in Hokkaido, 48 of the 53 off-piste ski-related accidents from November 1 to February 2 concerned foreigners, he stated.
So what can Australians visiting Japan’s snowfields do to remain protected each at resorts and within the back-country?
Respect nature
In comparison with Australia, Japan receives rather more “dry” snow all through winter.
It’s the results of frigid Siberian winds assembly the nice and cozy air from Sea of Japan and condensing into snow clouds that blow throughout Hokkaido and Japan’s alps, blanketing them with high-quality powder.
Japan’s snow and resorts are distinctive and have to be understood by these hitting the slopes in response to consultants. (Kyodo through Reuters/file)
Thomas Gellie, a ski coach and founding father of Large Image Snowboarding, stated this made Japan’s snow softer, extra forgiving on the physique and joints, and straightforward to ski on.
“Good snow high quality makes snowboarding a lot simpler and it is why folks journey to seek out it,” Mr Gellie stated.
However Mr Lansbury stated comfortable, deep snow may additionally flip a minor accident like a face plant right into a deadly incident if no assist was shut by.
Shota Tanaka, a wilderness medication doctor in Japan and back-country skier, stated snowboarding and snowboarding have been inherently harmful sports activities no matter which nation folks go to.
“It’s important to recognise that winter sports activities contain a steady interplay with environmental stressors — chilly publicity, altitude, terrain variability, and climate instability,” Dr Tanaka stated.
In comparison with different winter sport locations like Switzerland, the US, and New Zealand, Japan has smaller mountains with smaller vertical drops which individuals can mistakenly understand as much less dangerous, he stated.
However he added that though entry to off-piste areas can really feel simpler in Japan, the nation’s terrain is usually steep and closely forested, and shouldn’t be underestimated.
Observe native tradition
Mr Lansbury has been visiting Japan’s snow fields for 20 years and stated the variations in snowboarding there in comparison with Australia may be vital.
He stated the climate and snow situations may be extra intense, with deeper snow and restricted visibility even when snowboarding on-piste, primarily at resorts.
Some resort infrastructure like ski lifts is perhaps much less trendy or nicely maintained than in Australia so folks wanted to take extra duty for his or her private security than they’d again dwelling, he added.
Some services is probably not stored as much as Australian requirements in Japanese snow resorts.
(Reuters: Mariko Katsumura, file)
“Bear in mind that the elevate attendants might not converse fluent English to offer warnings and a few warning indicators is probably not translated into English,” he stated.
Regardless of the various Australian tour operators and lodging suppliers in Japan, ski coach Thomas Gellie urged folks to search for and respect Japanese tradition and etiquette.
Consuming and ingesting whereas strolling is perhaps high-quality in Australia but it surely’s frowned upon in Japan, as was ingesting an excessive amount of and speaking loudly, he stated.
“It may not be for his or her security however it’s if we need to proceed being welcomed within the nation,” Mr Gellie stated.
Know your limitations
Specialists pressured the significance of not overestimating one’s talents.
For these planning to ski off-piste or in deep powder, taking an avalanche training course was crucial to grasp the dangers and how you can use a security equipment.
Mr Lansbury stated snowboarding powder snow was its personal talent that shouldn’t be rushed and to utilize native instructors to construct abilities and confidence.
“You’ll be able to have 40 years of snowboarding expertise and nonetheless be studying new issues,” he stated.
“Accidents occur when folks overestimate their talents and underestimate the [potentially fatal] penalties of going into terrain with out the required abilities, expertise and tools.”
As soon as snowboarding inside resorts was mastered, Dr Shota stated folks trying to go off-piste ought to journey with a licensed information with intensive data of the native terrain.
“I keep away from pushing limits in poor climate and by no means hesitate to cancel plans when situations are unfavourable,” he stated.
Perceive journey insurance coverage
Australians ought to guarantee they test their journey insurance coverage included snow sports activities and to take out extra cowl if wanted, insurance coverage suppliers stated.
Owen Lansbury says Australians have to take the next diploma of private security when snowboarding in Japan than they’d again dwelling. (Equipped: Matt Nethery)
“Failing to take action can flip a severe damage into an enormously costly and extremely annoying ordeal,” stated Ms Ball from 1Cover.
Mr Lansbury warned skiers about leaving a resort’s boundary for recent, unmarked snow, saying the implications might be worse than in Australia due to the deeper quantity of snow.
“The second you go beneath a boundary rope there is no such thing as a avalanche management and no ski patrol that can assist you when you get caught or injured,” he stated.
He added that Japanese ski patrols will usually not transcend the resort’s boundary, leaving rescues to the police which might take for much longer and value 1000’s of {dollars}.
Specialists say following warnings indicators and staying away from blocked-off areas is essential to preserving protected at ski resorts.
(Reuters: Mariko Katsumura, file)
Ms Unusual from Southern Cross Journey Insurance coverage stated skiers and snowboarders are more likely to be lined after they follow designated industrial ski areas which are open to be used, comply with resort guidelines and signage, and put on a helmet always.
She additionally stated whereas medical bills are lined by journey insurance coverage, harm to tools is usually not lined so this wanted to be factored in.
“Understanding your cowl earlier than you journey means you may deal with having fun with Japan’s superb snow safely and confidently,” she stated.
