Understanding the Different Types of Snow in Hokkaido
2025/12/08
Winter in Hokkaido is not just cold and white – it is full of different kinds of snow. For many visitors, the first time they touch “Hokkaido snow” is a little bit magical. It feels lighter, softer, and sometimes completely different from the snow back home. In this article, we introduce some of the main “types of snow” you may experience during your stay in Sapporo and around Hokkaido, and how each one changes the feeling of the city, the streets and the nightlife. Powder Snow – Hokkaido’s Famous “Powder” When people talk about Hokkaido in winter, they often mention powder snow. This is dry, light, fluffy snow that falls when the air is very cold and the humidity is low. The snowflakes keep a lot of air inside, so they feel soft and almost weightless. Skiers and snowboarders love powder because it feels like floating when you ride through it. On the streets of Sapporo, powder snow looks like fine white dust on cars, roofs and sidewalks. If you step on it, it makes a crisp sound but does not feel heavy. On very cold mornings, the powder is so light that a small wind can blow it off parked cars like smoke. If you are visiting from a warmer country, this kind of snow alone can be an unforgettable memory. Wet Snow – Heavy and Sticky On days when the temperature is closer to 0°C, you will often meet wet snow. This type of snow contains more water, so it is heavier and sticks easily to your shoes and clothes. It is perfect for building snowmen and snowballs, because it packs together well. In the city, wet snow can quickly become slushy on the streets. The sidewalks may feel slippery, and your shoes can get soaked if you are not careful. For this reason, waterproof shoes or boots are highly recommended in Sapporo winter. Wet snow also changes the sound of the city. Car tires and footsteps make a softer, squishy noise compared to the crunch of dry powder. Packed Snow – The Winter Carpet After several days of snow, plus people walking and cars passing, the surface of the road turns into packed snow. This is snow that has been compressed into a dense, smooth layer. It is almost like a “snow carpet” that covers the whole street. Packed snow can be beautiful to look at – everything is pure white, and the city lights reflect softly off the surface. At the same time, it can be very slippery. Many local people wear boots with good grip or attach special non-slip soles in winter. You will often find packed snow on side streets and in residential areas where the snow is not removed completely. Walking on it carefully is part of the “Sapporo winter experience”. Ice and “Black Ice” – The Hidden Danger When the temperature goes up and down, snow melts a little during the day and then freezes again at night. This creates ice on the road. Sometimes the ice is easy to see, but sometimes it is almost invisible – this is often called “black ice”. Black ice is one of the most dangerous parts of a Hokkaido winter. It looks like normal pavement, but when you step on it, your foot can slide unexpectedly. Local people often walk with short, careful steps and keep their center of gravity low, especially when crossing the street. If you are visiting Sapporo, watching how the local people walk in winter is a good lesson. And if you do slip and fall, remember: it happens to everyone, even people who were born here. Fresh Snow vs. Old Snow Even if it is all “snow”, there is a big difference between fresh snow and old snow. Fresh snow is soft, clean and bright. It feels romantic when it falls under the street lights. The city becomes quiet, and sounds are gently absorbed by the snow. Old snow has been stepped on, melted, refrozen, and sometimes mixed with dust from the road. It can look gray or brown, and piles of old snow beside the street become hard like rock. When a new snowfall covers the old piles, Sapporo suddenly looks clean and beautiful again. Many local people secretly love that moment when the city turns white one more time. How Different Snow Changes Your Night in Sapporo The type of snow outside really changes how Sapporo feels at night: On a powder snow night, walking through Susukino or central Sapporo can feel quiet and dreamy. The neon lights reflect softly on the white ground. On a wet snow day, you might prefer to stay indoors longer, enjoying hot food, drinks, and warm interiors. When there is packed snow everywhere, the whole city feels like it is on a winter stage. Boots tap on the ground, and you see clouds of breath from people walking past you. On nights with a lot of ice, people move more slowly and carefully, and you may decide to choose one or two favorite places instead of bar-hopping all over town. Understanding these differences can actually make your winter trip more interesting. You start to see how local people adapt their daily life, clothing, and even their choice of nightlife dependingon the snow.
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