The word Yukigassen has a simple translation derived from ‘yuki’ meaning ‘snow’, and ‘kaseen’ meaning ‘war’. And that is exactly what Yukigassen is. 

Teams of men and women put on helmets and eye protection, along with their winter coats to have a tactical snowball fight. They start each round, dodging behind walls of snow, diving for the other team’s flag, and nailing each other with perfect snowballs.

The sport of Yukigassen originated in Japan in the late 1980s, as a way to transform classic snowball fights into a true sport. Quickly, the first helmets and snowball makers were created and more than 70 teams came to Japan to compete in the first Yukigassen tournament. 

Each game of Yukigassen starts with two teams, each with seven players. A boundary is determined, and each side of the court has walls of snow built up. The floor is covered with ice, and each team has a flag on their side of the court. Within 15 minutes of the start of the game, each team makes 90 snowballs. 

When the whistle blows to signify the start of the game, each player has 2 snowballs in hand. Offensive players advance up the court in a variety of formations, while defensive players stay back, defending their flag, and run their offensive teammate’s new snowballs. In Yukigassen getting hit means that you are out.

A time limit of 3 minutes is placed on each match, and the team with the most players left standing at the end wins. In addition, if a team’s flag is captured then the opposing team wins. 

In snowy Idaho, this mix of capturing the flag, dodgeball, and a classic snowball fight could easily be replicated with some friends in a park. Maybe the next time the snow is falling, and you are sitting inside, yearning for something to do, you can grab some friends and experience the joys of Yukigassen.