7 days of unadulterated snow shaped carnage

What is it? International Snow and Ice Sculpture Festival
Where is it? Sapporo, Hokkaido in Japan
When is it? February 5th – 11th, 2010

Every year in Japan, the northern island of Hokkaido hosts one of the country’s largest winter events – the famous Sapporo Snow Festival. Attracting more than 2 million people from Japan and overseas, the Snow Festival is now in its 61st year.

This annual celebration of all things cold has been held in Hokkaido’s capital, Sapporo, since way back in 1950. Since its relatively humble beginnings, the event has snowballed to become one of the country’s most anticipated events every year.

So, why haven’t you heard of The Sapporo Snow Festival?

Here in the UK, skiing and snowboarding in Japan is a relatively new concept to most people. Most snowsports enthusiasts were probably not even aware of Japan’s ski-able mountains until quite recently. The ones that were aware wouldn’t have realised that you can actually ski down a lot of these mountains.

The famous saying states that ‘ignorance is bliss’. In this case, ignorance has meant bliss for the very few people from these shores that have actually skied Japan. Escaping the crowds of the Alps, these people have been in on the secret long before the rest of us. So, what is so great about skiing in Japan? Well, The Sapporo Snow Festival for starters.

What is The International Snow Sculpture Contest?

Visitors to central Sapporo can see ice and snow sculptres in Odori Park and Susukino. There is also plenty more to see at the Satoland site. Odori Park has been hosting the International Snow Sculpture Contest since 1974. At the 2008 Snow Festival, competitors from 12 countries took part, with the eventual winners Thailand beating Lithuania to the illustrious title.

Every year, the themes of the ice sculptures vary greatly. Previous entries have included a famous baseball player, dinosaurs and even Spongebob Squarepants. The Thailand entry that won in 2008 was called Garuda and Naga and featured a snake and a half-human half animal. Confused? Me too. Take a look at a photo of the sculpture here.

Why should you head to Japan in 2010?

If seeing giant ice and snow replicas of real things is appealing to you – The Sapporo Snow Festival is right up your street. Do something different and get yourself over to Japan for an unforgettable ski holiday.

So, it’s quite a long flight… who cares.
You’ve never been to Japan before… even more reason to go.
When you’re standing beneath a 30ft ice version of Donald Duck you’ll know it was worth it. Ski Japan in 2010 and you won’t regret it. And if you can’t ski very well, enjoy some elaborate and extremely strange sculptures. You can’t go wrong.

Ski Japan!

Image used courtesy of Clifford Dmello.