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Skiers around the world are starting to find the snow-clad slopes of Niseko on the island of Hokkaido kind of addictive.

To those with a passion for snow sports, the cool white stuff comes in different qualities. And word is spreading about Niseko, a rising ski destination in Japan's northern island of Hokkaido where the most sought-after type of snow - known as ''powder'' because it is so light, dry and soft - can be found in great abundance.
Some even describe Niseko's snow as ''champagne powder'', the term used for top-quality powder.

The west side of Hokkaido, where Niseko is located, is separated from Siberia only by the upper part of the Sea of Japan. In wintertime when Siberia's freezing winds sweep past the narrow sea, they pick up just the right amount of moisture to create super-fine powder snow which they dump down as they hit the mountains of Hokkaido.

But Niseko is unique among the several ski resorts on the big island and entire Japan. Over the past few years, it has evolved into an international place, attracting every winter not just local snow lovers but also a lot of skiers, snowboarders as well as developers from Australia, New Zealand, and some Asian countries such as China (particularly from Hong Kong), Taiwan, Korea and Singapore. The number of visiting snow sports enthusiasts from Europe and North America is also increasing.