Why is it that so many of us migrate from all over the world to such a tiny section of Japan for multiple months every year?
The JaPow experience baby! It’s what we’re all here for – and if you’re one of the unlucky few who can’t make it over, it’s why you wished you were here.
What Is the JaPow Experience?
Bottomless powder, slashes three times your height, onsen, cheap booze, the best food you’ve ever eaten, endless backcountry terrain, face shots of fresh pow – it’s all the JaPow experience!
There’s no clear cut definition of the ‘JaPow experience’, but it’s the overall term used to describe the once-in-a-lifetime experience that so many encounter when visiting Niseko and riding its world famous powder snow. It’s hard to explain, but you’ll know it when you encounter it.
What makes Japan’s powder different?
While it may seem like an easy answer to simply say that it snows so much in Japan because it gets cold, there’s actually a lot of factors at work which create such heavy snowfall and in particular, the powder snow that Japan is so famous for.
Now, I’m no Bill Nighy, but I’ll do my best to explain it in layman’s terms.
Due to Niseko’s close proximity to one of the snowiest sea’s in the world, the Sea of Japan, the region receives cold air masses that begin in Russia and migrate across the water, absorbing moisture which is later deposited as snow. As such, we can thank the cold air masses from Siberia for gifting Niseko with the lightest, driest and fluffiest powder snow in the world.
Now, we know what the JaPow experience entails, but what is the Rhythm TRIP’s JaPow experience?
In short, the ultimate Japan snow experience. Rhythm Trips’ JaPow Experience is designed to show you why Japan’s powder snow is so famous all across the world – helping you to experience the true Hokkaido with expertly led tours by local guides.
And much like riding down a mountain, there’s no one clear way to approach the JaPow Experience, it all comes down to how you want to ride! If you‘re an intermediate rider, you will be introduced to deep powder techniques within the resort boundaries, before heading through Niseko’s iconic gate system. Advanced riders will dive straight through the gates in search of the deepest powder, before exploring Rusutsu, Kiroro, and Moiwa. And for those who prefer to earn their turns, our expert guides will lead you to the finest snow in Niseko’s remote backcountry daily.
The best part? Our JaPow Experiences packages also include rentals, lessons and guiding, accommodation, private transports and lift passes – all you need to do is book a flight and let us sort the rest!
What to expect
When it comes to the JaPow Experience, you can ultimately go about it however you please – it’s completely customisable! Although we did plan ahead and lock in a few essential services for you.
Included in the JaPow experience:
- 7 nights accommodation with one of our partners
- 1 day of resort guiding in Niseko United resorts
- 2 days of lift-accessed backcountry guiding in Niseko United resorts
- 2 days of lift-accessed backcountry guiding at neighbouring resorts
- Lift passes for all resorts visited
- 5 days of premium gear rental
- Private transfers
Why the Japow Experience is your Best Way TO Experience Pow in Japan
Explore More
You wouldn’t go to a restaurant and only eat the same dish for a whole week, so why would you only ride the same resort while you’re visiting Niseko?
With the JaPow Experience, you can venture slightly outside of the Niseko United resorts, and explore deep powder of Rusutsu, Kiroro and Moiwa, without the huge crowds that you’ll find in the main resorts!
Local Expertise
Believe it or not, but we didn’t just give our guides a village map and send them out touring. We make sure that all of our guides are extremely knowledgeable and experienced in our region, the best riding spots, and of course, the local weather conditions and the warning signs to look for.
We all live in Japan because fell in love with the JaPow experience (much like we know you will). As a result, all of our guides are local experts keen to share their expertises and knowledge with you.
And we don’t just mean the tidbits of info that you’d normally find in a brochure, we mean the real local knowledge that’s only developed through years of experience. The best powder pockets, the best backcountry routes, the places to stop for a beer – we know it all, and we want to pass that knowledge onto you!
Safety
We want you to come home in the same condition that you arrive in – just as a better skier or snowboarder.
As such, safety is always one of our top priorities, regardless of your skill set as a rider. As such, there is a lot of consideration put into where you’ll be riding each day and where will be the safest spots.
As explained by Rhythm Rides backcountry guide, Stefan Boers, “I think the ‘JaPow Experience’ is very dependent on safety, because without feeling safe, you can’t really create an experience.”
“So when we have a 60 centimetre dump, that creates a situation that is not safe to get onto the mountain, and then we have to let it settle and ride somewhere else until it is safe, and then we can enjoy it as much as we can.”
“We have experienced guides and instructors that can judge weather and safety conditions really quickly, and when conditions permit, you can enjoy first-class powder in Niseko, there’s nothing better. If the weather doesn’t permit it, there’s always a resort nearby to ride!”
