Someone turned on the Japanese powder tap at the end of November and never turned it off. It has been one of the most memorable starts to the winter season in many years, leaving the web flooded with videos of riders neck deep in blower powder. We’ve picked five of our favourites.

One day in Niseko (above)

Niseko sometimes gets a bad wrap for the hordes of tourists that flock to its very popular slopes, transforming untouched powder into tracked-out slop before most people have had breakfast. One thing that this video makes very clear, is that there has been more than enough snow to go around during this incredible start to the season.

Happo, Hakuba BC – Open Winter 2017

What do we love about this edit? For a start, it showcases some of the phenomenal terrain and scenery that has put Hakuba firmly on the global freeride map. Best of all? This video was shot on November 22 this year – proof that this early season period has been all-time. Memories of the horror 2015/16 season (the worst in 33 years) are fading into oblivion.

Oyuki Japan in Kiroro

Kiroro is one of our favourite places on the planet. It’s a magnet for some of Japan’s largest snowfalls and is often one of the first Hokkaido resorts to open for the season.

Oyuki team rider Maude Raymond scored the resort at its best earlier this month, and … well, we’ll let the footage do the talking!

Oyuki winter essentials keep you on the mountain longer. #smashpow ⛷ @maadmaude @kirororesort #maadmitt #japow

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Katsuno Tenra – Salomon Freeski

Hot tip: watch this instagram vid with the sound turned up. If the mind blowing neck-deep powder doesn’t get you amped up for the season, Katsuno’s shrieks of joy definitely will. Once again, this is an edit from November, a time of year where ski resorts around the world collectively stick out their tongues to taste the first few flakes of snow for the season. But November in Japan is a different beast.

Heunggoo Jeon in Kiroro, Japan

Jeon’s either a magician or the beneficiary of some seriously deep Japanese pow. Watch as he completely disappears at the end of this short clip, shot in Kiroro, Japan.

Perfect Saturday. #kirororesort #powder #japow #ski #dynastar #spurgloves

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