Where to find snow

Other attractions found at the festival include an ice sculpture competition, snow slides and snowmobile rides. Echigo Tsumari.

The Tokamachi Snow Festival is held annually for three days surrounding the third Saturday of February in Tokamachi , a city in that experiences one of the highest snowfall rates in Japan. Visitors can enjoy many snow sculptures, snow slides and festival stalls.

Akita Prefecture. The festival features many igloo-like snow houses, called kamakura, which are built at various locations across the city. Children invite visitors into their kamakura and offer them rice cakes and amazake, a type of warm sweet rice wine with zero or very low alcohol content.

The snow monkeys are a troop of wild monkeys that bathe in the hot springs near Yudanaka and Shibu Onsen in Nagano Prefecture. They can been seen bathing year round at Jigokudani Monkey Park but are mostly likely seen in the hot springs during the cold winter months. The Sea of Okhotsk coast of Hokkaido is the northern hemisphere's southernmost region to see drifting ice.

The ice originates from the Amur River in Russia and reaches Hokkaido typically in mid January to early February before disappearing again around mid March to mid April. The coast around Abashiri and the western coast of the Shiretoko Peninsula receive the biggest amounts of ryuhyo. The best place to see snow monsters is at Zao Onsen , a well known hot spring and ski resort in the mountains of Yamagata Prefecture.

These "monsters" are formed by heavy snow deposited on trees and frozen into shape by chilling winds. Kushiro Shitsugen National Park in Hokkaido was created in in order to preserve the country's largest wetland and marsh habitat that supports the only known population of endangered Japanese cranes in the country.

Although the park does not receive much snowfall, it offers nature viewing, in particular of the Japanese cranes that appear here in numbers during winter. Niseko , a spectacular snow resort town in Hokkaido, is probably the most visited ski resort by foreign travellers and is very English friendly.

The almost guaranteed powder snow and fantastic views of Mt. Yotei make this a very popular destination. Although a day trip from Sapporo is possible, Niseko is best enjoyed over a few days. Shiga Kogen in Yamanouchi has the biggest skiable area in Japan. The resort area consists of over 20 resorts, most of which are linked up by ski courses.

One pass allows access to them all and offers a huge amount of variety as well as generally excellent snow conditions. Nagano Prefecture.

Can you believe the best place near Florida to see snow in is in Florida? However, during the winter months, you can see Mickey Mouse and snow in the same day! Gaylord Palms Resort has nearby car rental options if you need that too. The Gaylord Palms offers guests the ability to experience the freezing cold at their family-friendly Ice!

At Ice! Be prepared for the cold though! It is kept at a chilly 9 degrees. Guests are provided calf-length, hooded winter coats to keep them warm, but long pants and closed-toe shoes are required. Look for overnight stay options to get the most for your money. If you are close to Tampa there is a new option to see snow in Florida in Snowcat Alpine Ridge has opened a winter wonderland complete with a tubing hill, igloo and alpine village.

There might be a reason to buy gloves this year! Find out more information about tickets and pricing here. Just be sure to put all guests in when making the reservation as some of these rooms have limited capacity. There is a reason people come back year after year with their families. There are some old favorites, such as Texas Santa, Marshall Frostbite the 7-foot-tall snowman mascot , and the hayride that are always a big hit.

This eight-lane snow tubing experience has an adjacent Snow Playground. It allows Texas kids the rare chance to play in the snow. Both are included in the price of admission. As of there is also ice skating! Embassy Suites by Hilton College Station — The location for this hotel is ideal if you want to be near food and shopping.

Spread out in a suite so that everyone has their own space. The Lubbock, Amarillo and Canyon areas get snow annually, usually in January. Do be careful if you decide to visit. The snow often comes with freezing rain and ice so driving can be tricky. In addition to the regular lineup of activities inside the park, visitors can enjoy a foot tubing hill and night tubing.

Get a voucher for a discounted visit. Snow Mountain is currently canceled. Hawksnest Tubing is the largest snow tubing park in the state, located near Seven Devils, a community not far from Sugar Mountain. There are four different snow tubing areas with 30 lanes, including some up to 1, feet long. It has five lanes for snow tubing that are appropriate for younger visitors as well as lights for night tubing. Moonshine Mountain in Hendersonville is a popular snow tubing park for all ages.

They offer tube rentals and an onsite barbecue restaurant. Scaly Mountain Outdoor Center in Flats offers year-round tubing, including snow tubing. They also have ice skating. They offer night tubing and snacks like hot chocolate. Pigeon Forge Snow is an indoor snow park in the heart of Pigeon Forge. They create real snow for their slides and have a snow play area. Get your admission before you go.

Rowdy Bear Mountain Adventure Park , also in Pigeon Forge , is open year-round but winter is the best time for snow tubing. Get a discount on the price of tubing. Who says you have to see only real snow? A number of destinations in the region have winter experiences in any temperature. There are ice sculptures and snow tubing. Get your tickets in advance. Would you believe that you can ski in Florida? This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. This Is My South is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees at no cost to the consumer by linking to Amazon.

Two resorts in one: Snow Summit and Bear Mountain both offer skiing, snowboarding, and tons of snow play in the Winters, not to mention hiking, biking, and golfing in the Summers. Lift-assisted inner tubing lets parents and children conserve their energy for the thrilling downhill twists and turns.

Brand new in , Pali Snow Zone has tubing and snow play, plus holiday lights and bottomless hot chocolate. Want to see Santa ice skate? In season operating hours are offered seven days a week, though hours are subject to change due to weather and road conditions.

Keep checking the website, because dates for the beginning of Snow Play at Snow Valley will be posted soon! Check the website for prices and more details.