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The Practicalities of Packing for Powder Heaven

By 17th January 2014March 22nd, 2021Niseko Snow Report

Well well well, the first virtually snow-free day of the year was a doozy! The day dawned clear, the sun was shining, and everyone swapped their low-light lenses for the dark mirrored type.

If you’re thinking it’s time to abandon the gor-tex jacket and full-face mask, think again, because we’re only half way through Niseko’s peak snowfall period!

Before everyone gets over excited and forgets to pack their thermals, I thought I better get together a list on what you need for the extremely powdery conditions I promise you will find in Niseko.

Face shots Niseko

After one run, expect that fluffy pow to be on everything!

The Practicalities of Packing for Powder Heaven

Goggles and lenses
I am a firm believer in quality eyewear, and once you’ve experienced a good pair of goggles you’ll never look back. The better the design, the less likely you are to fog up – a crucial factor when you’re enjoying face shots every run. I recommend you opt for a low-light lens no matter what it looks like in the morning, because the sun rarely stays out for long.

Footwear
I’m talking street wear here, because it’s hard to go wrong with ski or snowboard boots. Leave the fancy shoes at home, ladies! The poor grip coupled with the slippery roads make for a difficult walk to the bar, and there is so much snow on the ground that anything other than a boot just won’t cut it. Even stylish leather boots prove no match for the snow banks! Gumboots are the smartest play, and are readily available from super markets and hardware stores in Kutchan.

Powder snow Niseko

A powder skirt was the only thing stopping Lindsay from getting snow in her knickers

Snow wear
It is never, I repeat never, okay to ski or snowboard in jeans. You see one every year, but it’s just a fast track to a cold day and a chafing walk home! Make sure your snow gear has a good waterproof rating, and choose a jacket with a powder skirt. This handy elasticated band is a lifesaver when it comes to stopping snow from getting in your pants, because no one likes a frozen bum.

Go long with everything- long undershirts you can tuck into your pants, long gloves you can tuck into your sleeves- because that fluffy pow pow will find a way to creep into every chink in your armour!

I would also highly recommend a facemask, because even if you’re not trying, you will get a face shot at some point in powder heaven. Plus, the cold air is bad for wrinkles.

Snow pillows Niseko

That powder is due to fall on his head any minute but don’t worry, the Niseko snow gods will replace it soon

Here in Niseko where the powder obscures all kinds of hidden obstacles, I think a helmet is even more vital than usual. They’re warm, they are easy to come by, and they might save your life- it’s a no brainer, no matter what the cool kids in the park are doing.

Baggage
As a roving reporter, I carry my laptop around with me everywhere, and I’ve discovered that a regular backpack is just not waterproof. The incessant snowfall last week endangered my Mac, so I sported the very cool look of a garbage bag over my pack. It’s probably not necessary to go to these extremes, but be aware that those open handbags (or manbags!) we love to carry around are a quick way to get a wet mobile phone here in the snowiest resort in the world.

That’s enough from nana over here, so I’ll leave you all to enjoy the last of this sunny day, but hey – get the yellow lens ready because the pow will be back before you know it.

 

4 Comments

  • Avatar for Crystal Crystal says:

    Awesome write up! I am heading over for jan/ feb 2015.
    What waterproof/ breathability rating do you recommend? In Australia they most sell only up to 10,000 but I could buy higher online.
    Thanks, Crystal

    • Avatar for Yogi Yogi says:

      Hi Crystal

      10,000 will be plenty – that will be waterproof and windproof. Unless you plan on doing some serious backcountry and want something that’s going to stand up to anything the elements could throw at you, then you might want to go higher.

      But to be honest, the snow is so dry in Niseko, the damp isn’t a huge issue. 5000 – 10,000 will be plenty. Focus on something that looks cool!

      Have fun!
      Yogi

  • Avatar for Steve T Steve T says:

    Great write up! Heading up there in a few weeks and I can’t wait. Any good powder/bowl guides?

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