Yuki (snow) + utopia = Yukitopia, the Niseko region's very own celebration of Hokkaido's snow.
Held in the local area's major town Kutchan over two days in mid-February every year, Yukitopia is the biggest local festival of winter.
The highlight for many is the "Great Water Trial", or what could best be described as a 'splash for cash'. The idea is to ski, snowboard or slide any way you can down a short slope then across a pool of icy water. Whoever gets the furthest, or makes it to the end, takes or shares in the ¥200,000 prize pool (pardon the pun). Not that many enter to win – dressed in crazy costumes and riding all manner of crazy snow-riding contraptions – the aim of the game is fun.
Other highlights include giant snowmen, snow sculptures, snow slides, snow lantern displays, snowmobile rides and much more.
Catch a free bus to Kutchan from outside Seicomart or ask information centres for more details.