Yukigassen (雪合戦) is a snowball fighting-competition from Japan. Today there are annual tournaments in Sōbetsu in Japan, Kemijärvi in Finland, Vardø in Norway, Murmansk in Russia, Mount Buller in Australia, Luleå in Sweden, Anchorage in Alaska, Aparan in Armenia, Jasper and Saskatoon in Canada.

Etymology

In Japanese, yukigassen is a compound of the words yuki (雪) and kassen (合戦). Hence it literally translates to 'snow battle', but is a common term for 'snowball fight' in Japanese.

Gameplay

Yukigassen is a game between two teams with seven players each. The game is played on a court with certain measurements, and the winner is determined through rules made by the Japan Yukigassen Federation. It is similar to capture the flag; players are eliminated when hit with snowballs. Players wear special yukigassen helmets with face shields, and a set number of snowballs (90) are made in advance.

Tournaments

2024

Medalists in the Swedish championship, held in Luleå in 2024: Medalists in the first Austrian championship, held in Filzmoos in 2024

2017

Medalists in the Swedish championship, held in Luleå in 2017:

2013

Medalists in the Canadian National championship, held in Jasper in 2013:

2012

Medalists in the third Swedish championship, held in Luleå in 2012:

2011

Medalists in the second Swedish championship, held in Luleå in 2011:

2010

Medalists in the first Swedish Championship, held in Luleå in 2010:

2007

Medalists in the European Nordic Tournament, held in Vardø in 2007:

2006

Medalists in the Nordic Tournament, held in Vardø in 2006:

2005

Medalists in the Nordic Tournament, held in Vardø in 2005: