My First Snow in Japan: Skiing for the First Time at Sapporo Moiwayama Ski Resort, Hokkaido
A personal journey through my first winter adventure — discovering snow, falling countless times on the ski slope, and falling in love with Hokkaido
First skiing experience at Sapporo Moiwayama Ski Resort — my first encounter with real snow in Hokkaido.
❄️ My First Snow in Japan: Skiing for the First Time in Hokkaido
“Some memories arrive quietly, like falling snow.
Soft, unexpected, and suddenly unforgettable.”
🌏 A Long-Awaited Winter Journey
The beginning of 2026 felt like the right moment to start something new — beginning with my first international trip of the year.
After spending several years focusing heavily on work, projects, and daily responsibilities, I realized that I had been moving forward without really taking a pause. This trip became an opportunity to step away for a while and experience something different from my usual routine.
I began asking myself a simple question:
Where could I go to experience a completely different environment from the one I know?
One idea kept coming back to my mind.
I wanted to experience winter.
Not the artificial kind created indoors, and not the snow you see in theme parks or exhibitions. I wanted to see what real winter landscapes actually look like.
Surprisingly, despite traveling to several places before, I had never seen real snowfall in my life.
For many people around the world, snow is simply a normal part of the seasons. But for someone who grew up in a tropical climate, it always felt distant — almost like something that existed only in films or photographs.
So this trip became something more than just travel.
It became a chance to experience a completely new side of nature for the very first time. Japan.
This journey to Hokkaido quietly changed the way I see the world.
For the first time, I stepped into the world of winter sports,
ran a sub-1 hour 10K through falling snow,
and met people whose kindness warmed the coldest landscapes.I still remember an elderly gentleman standing near the old Hokkaido Government Office —
the Red Brick building — who looked at me, smiled, and offered words of encouragement
that I will never forget.In just a short moment of this year,
Hokkaido reminded me of something simple but powerful:to slow down,
to live in the present,
and to remember that life becomes meaningful
through the moments we truly experience.Thank you, Hokkaido.
Figure 1: My very first moment surrounded by real snow in Hokkaido, Japan. Everywhere I looked, the landscape was covered in white mountains and sparkling powder. I remember standing there quietly for a few seconds, just absorbing the atmosphere. Growing up in a tropical country, snow had always felt like something distant — something you only see in movies. But now it was right in front of me. Behind me was the real ski slope of Moiwayama Ski Resort, and the excitement was impossible to hide. This photo was taken just before I went inside to change into my ski gear. At that moment, I knew the day ahead would become one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life.
🗺️ Choosing the Destination
Once I decided that I wanted to experience a real winter, the next step was choosing where to go.
There are many places around the world known for beautiful winter landscapes — from Europe to North America and parts of East Asia. Each destination has its own atmosphere and character during the colder months.
For this trip, I was looking for somewhere that combined accessibility, safety, and a strong winter environment.
Japan naturally came to mind. I had visited Tokyo before, so the country already felt somewhat familiar in terms of transportation, culture, and daily life. That previous experience made planning another trip much easier.
Among the different regions in Japan, one place is particularly well known for its winter climate.
Hokkaido.
Located in the northern part of the country, Hokkaido is famous for its long winters, heavy snowfall, and wide open landscapes. These conditions make it one of the most popular destinations for winter activities.
For someone who had never seen real snow before, it felt like the perfect place to begin that experience.
🏔️ Arrival in Hokkaido — The Land of Snow
Hokkaido is famous for its long winters, beautiful landscapes, and incredible powder snow.
The moment I arrived, I could feel the difference.
The air was colder.
The streets were covered with snow.
And everywhere I looked, the world felt calm and peaceful under a blanket of white.
Even just walking through Sapporo in winter felt magical.
But there was one thing I had always wanted to try.
Something I had never done before in my life.
Skiing.
Figure 2: Fully suited up and ready to try skiing for the first time. The white ski boots looked incredibly cool, almost like something from a professional winter athlete. But once I put them on, I realized they were locked extremely tight. Walking suddenly became much more difficult than expected. Still, that small discomfort didn’t matter at all — the excitement of trying skiing for the first time completely took over. I kept smiling and telling myself, “Let’s just try it once and see what happens.”
🎿 My First Ski Experience at Sapporo Moiwayama Ski Resort
For my very first skiing experience, I decided to visit Sapporo Moiwayama Ski Resort, a small but well-known ski area located just outside the center of Sapporo. Its location makes it surprisingly convenient — close enough to the city, yet surrounded by quiet winter landscapes and mountain views.
One of the reasons I chose this resort was its reputation as a beginner-friendly slope. The terrain is gentle, the environment feels relaxed, and many first-time visitors come here to learn the basics of skiing before moving on to more challenging mountains.
After arriving, the first thing I did was head straight to the rental counter and pick up the full set of ski equipment — boots, skis, and poles.
And to be completely honest…
I had done almost no preparation at all.
No lessons.
No practice beforehand.
Not even much research about skiing techniques.
My entire strategy could be summarized in one simple idea:
“Let’s just try it and see what happens.”
Looking back now, that approach might sound a little reckless. But sometimes the most memorable travel experiences begin exactly like that — with curiosity, a little courage, and a willingness to learn something completely new.
Figure 3: The moment I began standing on skis for the very first time. I quickly realized how slippery the snow surface actually was. Every small movement felt unpredictable, and I started feeling a little nervous. At the same time, the snow itself was unbelievably soft — almost like standing on a thick cushion. Slowly, I started learning how to balance my weight and trust my body. Those first few minutes were a mixture of excitement, curiosity, and just a tiny bit of fear.
😅 Learning to Ski (and Falling… Many Times)
The real challenge began the moment I put on the ski boots.
They were heavier than I expected — stiff, bulky, and surprisingly difficult to walk in. Each step felt unnatural, as if my feet had suddenly forgotten how walking was supposed to work.
Then came the skis.
The moment they were attached, the ground beneath me seemed to change completely. Standing still suddenly required concentration. Balancing on two narrow boards over packed snow felt a bit like trying to stand on ice while wearing very long shoes.
For a brief moment, I started to wonder whether skiing might be harder than it looks.
Fortunately, one of the resort staff members noticed my obvious beginner status and kindly showed me a few essential basics:
- How to position my body while standing
- How to slow down using the snowplow technique
- And how to control speed on the beginner slope
These simple instructions helped more than I expected.
Even so…
The first hour was mostly dedicated to a different skill.
Falling.
Forward.
Backward.
Sideways.
At some point I even started to suspect that standing up again might secretly be part of the training program.
But strangely, I didn’t feel frustrated.
Most of the time, I was actually laughing.
Because every fall ended the same way — landing in soft powder snow that felt more like a cushion than the cold ground I had imagined.
And somehow, that made the entire experience even more enjoyable.
Figure 4: My first successful slide down the beginner slope. The distance was probably only around ten meters, but for someone who had never skied before, it felt like a huge milestone. The sensation of gliding across snow was surprisingly smooth and quiet. In that short moment, I began to understand why so many people fall in love with skiing.
Figure 5: Attempting to turn my body and regain balance while practicing basic movements. It almost ended in a small disaster. Skiing requires much more coordination than I expected, and flipping the skis around while standing on snow was surprisingly tricky. I nearly lost my balance completely — but moments like this became part of the fun.
Figure 6: A full-body photo with my ski equipment and the beautiful snow-covered mountains behind me. This image captures a moment I know I will remember for the rest of my life. It represents my very first experience skiing in a real winter landscape. Standing there, surrounded by mountains of snow, I realized how lucky I was to be able to witness this moment.
Figure 7: After nearly two hours on the slope, it was finally time for a short break. Sitting down in the snow, I suddenly noticed something surprising — I had completely forgotten about the cold. The excitement, the beautiful surroundings, and the joy of learning something new had taken over my mind. Being surrounded by snowy mountains felt peaceful and refreshing. At that moment, I finally understood why winter sports attract so many fans around the world, especially during global events like the Winter Olympics.
🏂 Slowly Discovering the Rhythm of Skiing
After about an hour of trial, error, and several unforgettable falls, something gradually began to change.
My body started to understand the rhythm of skiing.
The movements that had felt awkward at first slowly became more natural. The skis no longer felt like two unpredictable pieces of equipment attached to my feet. Instead, they began to move with me.
Little by little, the sliding became smoother.
My balance improved.
And then, for the first time in my life, I experienced something I had only imagined before — the quiet sensation of gliding across fresh snow.
It was an unexpectedly peaceful feeling.
The snow absorbed most of the sound around me, leaving only the gentle scraping of skis against the surface. For a brief moment, everything felt calm and incredibly simple.
For the next couple of hours, I stayed on the beginner slope, continuing to practice.
Nothing dramatic.
No steep mountains.
No impressive tricks.
Just the simple cycle of learning:
Sliding.
Turning.
Occasionally falling.
Then getting back up and trying again.
According to the activity recorded by my Garmin Fenix 7, my best run that afternoon covered approximately:
- 220 meters in distance
- 15 meters of vertical descent
For experienced skiers, that might sound quite modest.
But for someone standing on skis for the very first time, it felt like a small but meaningful victory.
At least… that’s the story I told myself as I looked proudly at the numbers on my watch.
Figure 8: Official statistics recorded by my Garmin watch — 0.22 km distance with a total descent of 15 meters. It may not sound impressive to experienced skiers, but for my first day ever on skis, it felt like a meaningful personal achievement.
Figure 9: Another screen from my Garmin activity summary. Unfortunately, I only discovered the dedicated ski tracking mode near the end of the session. I didn’t even expect to use the ski mode when I started the day — which makes the discovery quite funny in hindsight.
Figure 10: The satellite map recorded by my Garmin watch, showing the small route I skied during the session. Even though the distance was short, it still represents the first skiing track of my life.
Figure 11: I decided to save this skiing session inside my Garmin training history. For me, this wasn’t just another activity — it was a memory worth keeping.
Figure 12: Another snapshot from the activity record. Looking at these statistics later will always remind me of my first encounter with skiing.
Figure 13: Digital memories stored in my watch. Technology sometimes becomes a quiet archive of our life experiences.
Figure 14: Reviewing the ski statistics again later made me smile. Every number here represents small steps of learning and falling on the snow.
Figure 15: One last look at the recorded activity before closing the session. Even a short skiing session can become a meaningful milestone in life.
Figure 16: After finishing the skiing session, nothing felt better than a warm bowl of ramen. The cafeteria view here was incredible — located on the second floor, overlooking the ski slope. Eating ramen while watching other skiers glide down the mountain created a perfect ending to the day’s adventure.
🏃 Another Highlight of the Trip
Besides skiing, another highlight of this trip was completing a sub-1 hour 10K city run in Hokkaido.
Running in the cold winter air was completely different from running anywhere else.
At one moment during the run…
Snow actually started falling.
Running through falling snow felt surreal.
I will write a separate blog post about that experience soon.
Because running through snowy streets in Sapporo deserves its own story.
Figure 17: A cheerful moment in Takino, standing next to the famous Moai statues. My expression says it all — pure happiness. Experiencing snow like this for the first time in my life felt almost surreal.
Figure 18: A photo of myself standing beside a statue of Kongōrikishi — often referred to simply as Niō. In Japanese Buddhist tradition, these powerful guardian statues are usually placed at the entrance of temples to protect the sacred grounds from evil spirits and negative influences. Their fierce expressions symbolize strength, vigilance, and spiritual protection. Taking a photo beside the statue felt like a small cultural ritual — a symbolic way of wishing for protection, good fortune, and positive energy during the rest of the journey.
Figure 19: A memorable moment at Asahiyama Zoo in the city of Asahikawa, Hokkaido. Here I took a photo beside the impressive polar bear exhibit, one of the most famous attractions of the zoo. Asahiyama Zoo is known for its creative animal enclosures that allow visitors to observe wildlife in more natural and engaging environments. Unfortunately, during this visit I was unable to see the famous Penguin Walk, where penguins parade across the snow each winter. Due to concerns related to avian influenza, the event had been temporarily suspended by the local authorities. Even so, the experience of visiting the zoo in winter was still fascinating and well worth the trip.
Figure 20: A beautiful winter scene from the city streets of Hokkaido. Snow quietly covered the buildings, roads, and surrounding landscape, transforming the entire environment into a soft white panorama. Walking through the city during this season feels very different from any other place I have visited before. The calm atmosphere, combined with the cold winter air, creates a unique sense of tranquility that is difficult to describe but easy to appreciate once experienced.
Figure 21: During this trip, I decided to try grilled beef again after receiving recommendations from a Japanese friend. To my surprise, it was incredibly delicious. The meat was tender, flavorful, and perfectly grilled, creating a simple yet satisfying meal after a long day of exploring the city. Sometimes travel experiences are not only about landscapes or famous landmarks — but also about discovering new flavors and enjoying small culinary surprises along the way. If I have the opportunity to return here again in the future, I would definitely order this dish once more.
Figure 22: A simple but memorable moment in front of the Old Hokkaido Government Office, also known as the famous Red Brick Building. In this photo, I am holding a box of freshly purchased strawberries — noticeably large, bright red, and incredibly vibrant in color. The fruit looked almost too perfect to eat. Standing there with this small treat, in front of one of Sapporo’s most historic landmarks, felt like a perfect combination of everyday life and travel memories.
🚆 Exploring Other Beautiful Cities in Hokkaido
My trip didn’t stop at Sapporo.
I also had the chance to explore other beautiful places across Hokkaido.
🐧 Asahikawa — Asahiyama Zoo
One of my favorite places was Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa.
The zoo is famous for its creative enclosures that allow visitors to observe animals very closely.
Seeing penguins walking through the snow was a moment I will never forget.
✨ Furano — Ningle Terrace
In Furano, I visited Ningle Terrace, a magical village of small wooden cabins surrounded by snowy forests.
Walking through the glowing lights at night felt like stepping into a winter fairytale.
🌊 Otaru — The Famous Canal
Another beautiful stop was Otaru.
The Otaru Canal, lined with historic warehouses and covered in snow, looked incredibly romantic during winter.
The reflection of warm lights on the water created a peaceful and nostalgic atmosphere.
❄️ A Lucky Snowfall
Before arriving, I thought I might miss the snowfall season because it was already early March.
But somehow, luck was on my side.
It snowed during my trip.
And the snow was soft enough that falling during skiing didn’t hurt at all.
Sometimes life gives us small unexpected gifts.
This was one of them.
💙 A Memory I Will Always Keep
My first trip to Hokkaido was filled with joy, excitement, and unforgettable moments.
Seeing snow for the first time.
Trying skiing for the first time.
Exploring beautiful winter cities.
Even though I fell many times on the ski slope, the experience was incredibly meaningful.
One day, I hope to come back again.
Next time maybe I will try:
- A steeper slope
- A longer ski run
- And better skiing skills
But no matter what happens, my first time skiing in Hokkaido will always remain a special memory.
Figure 23: The final photo from this Hokkaido journey. I honestly don’t know which words can fully describe what it feels like to see snow for the first time with your own eyes. All I know is that it felt incredibly special. I am grateful to nature, grateful to Japan, and grateful for every experience I had on this trip. From skiing for the first time to running a sub-1 hour 10K in Hokkaido, this journey became one of the most meaningful travel memories in my life.
Figure 24: The final moment of my Hokkaido journey — safely back at my condominium in Bangkok. This trip turned out to be one of the most memorable travel experiences I have had in recent years. Before unpacking my luggage, I realized that I had brought home a few iconic souvenirs, including the famous Tokyo Banana and the well-known Shiroi Koibito Hokkaido Premium Chocolate. Both lived up to their reputation and tasted wonderful. As I looked back on the photos and memories from this journey, I felt grateful for every experience along the way. From skiing on snowy slopes to exploring cities and tasting local food, this short winter adventure became something I will always remember. Thank you once again, Hokkaido.
🙏 Thank You, Hokkaido
Some places in the world leave a quiet but lasting impression.
Not because they are loud or dramatic, but because the experience of being there feels calm, genuine, and unexpectedly meaningful.
For me, Hokkaido became one of those places.
During this short journey, I experienced many things for the very first time — standing in real snowfall, learning how to ski on a mountain slope, and even running through a city while snowflakes slowly fell from the sky.
Each moment felt small on its own. Yet together, they created something far more memorable than I had expected.
What made the experience even more meaningful were the simple human interactions along the way — the staff who patiently helped beginners on the ski slope, the quiet kindness of strangers, and the everyday moments that make travel feel authentic rather than extraordinary.
Travel often teaches us something subtle.
Sometimes it reminds us that the world is larger than our routines.
Sometimes it shows us perspectives that we rarely encounter in daily life.
And sometimes, it simply gives us space to pause, breathe, and appreciate the present moment.
This trip did a little bit of all three.
As my journey in Hokkaido came to an end, I found myself reflecting on how meaningful even a short period of time can become when we allow ourselves to step outside our usual world.
Seeing snow for the first time.
Trying a new sport.
Running through unfamiliar streets.
Laughing at mistakes while learning something completely new.
These experiences may seem simple, but they have a quiet way of staying with us long after the trip is over.
Before leaving, I paused for a moment and said something quietly to myself:
Thank you, Hokkaido.
Not only for the beautiful winter landscapes, but for the experiences, the lessons, and the memories that will remain long after the snow has melted.
And perhaps one day, when the timing feels right again, I will return — not just to see the snow, but to relive the feeling of discovery that this journey began.
Citation
Panboonyuen, Teerapong. (March 2026). My First Snow in Japan: Skiing for the First Time at Sapporo Moiwayama Ski Resort, Hokkaido. Blog post on Kao Panboonyuen. https://kaopanboonyuen.github.io/blog/2026-03-12-my-first-snow-in-japan-skiing-for-the-first-time-in-hokkaido
For a BibTeX citation:
@article{panboonyuen2026firstsnowjapan,
title = "My First Snow in Japan: Skiing for the First Time at Sapporo Moiwayama Ski Resort, Hokkaido",
author = "Panboonyuen, Teerapong",
journal = "kaopanboonyuen.github.io/",
year = "2026",
month = "Mar",
url = "https://kaopanboonyuen.github.io/blog/2026-03-12-my-first-snow-in-japan-skiing-for-the-first-time-in-hokkaido"
}
Teerapong Panboonyuen
My research focuses on leveraging advanced machine intelligence techniques, specifically computer vision, to enhance semantic understanding, learning representations, visual recognition, and geospatial data interpretation.