Author's Note: This piece is being written in the Spring of 2025, two and a half years after the event took place. Some details are a bit fuzzy, but it has been a fun experience to reflect back on how much the event has changed already for American Snow Peak campers.
Having visited Snow Peak Way last year for the first time in 2021, I felt much more confident heading into the weekend. Where as last year we'd ducked out of work a little early, arriving at the location in Tygh Valley in the mid afternoon, this time around we had planned and prepped and were ready to camp.
That's not to say that going to the event is a requirement, but having been there, or joining someone who has been already certainly helps. As an event, there's really nothing else like it in the United States. And that knowledge can alleviate some pressure. But even if you haven't ever been, or are going solo and unsure of what to expect, there's a guarantee it will be an enjoyable time.
Arriving to Snow Peak Way West
We took the Friday off and loaded up our van the night before. Heading out from our home in Portland that morning the coffee was hot and we were feeling eager. The 'doors' didn't open until 10:00am, so we knew the two-hour drive would allow us to show up on time, and it did. As the first ones through the gate, we headed to the spot we had picked out leaving the year before.
In the Japanese Field-Camping style, there are no pre-determined sites or spaces that you choose or are assigned (2025 note: this has changed for the Snow Peak Way events held at their Campfield in Long Beach, Washington). It's big and open, and this means someone may be right next to you. Finding more remote options means that you'll often be on uneven terrain, and up to a 10 minute walk from the main hub. Which may not seem like a lot, but with steep climbs up and down, and how often we found ourselves moving around, we opted for a flatter site closer to the center.
Checking-In
As we got there, staff was waiting at the entry for our (and everyone else's) arrival. We gave our names, signed a quick form, and each received a welcome bag. Inside were a number of Snow Peak items, including:
- SPW 2022 Mini Sierra Cup
- Titanium Backpacker's Cup
- Titanium Spork
- SPW 2022 T-Shirt
- Seppo Festival Tengui Towel
- SPW 2022 Tote Bag
We were then able to quickly pull into our site and get started with unloading. As Snow Peak Way is a car-free event, we moved our van back to the parking lot once done to not take up extra space. While there are mixed feelings (some friends really wanted to sleep in their roof-top-tents), I enjoy it. Even in more developed campgrounds like those at State and National Parks, cars are everywhere. I remember as a kid having to move from playing in the road every few minutes as someone leisurely drove by. To be a truly car-free space is such a rarity that I took the moment to appreciate it.
Setting Up
For the most part, we kept much of the same setup that we had for 2021, the exceptions were we now no longer needed to rent a tent and our IGT Camp Kitchen had grown in scale. We were also able to bring more seating as our camp had been designated the main one of our larger group of friends.
Our setup this time around included:
- Sleeping
- Living
- Kitchen
Activities and Events at Snow Peak Way 2022
A highlight of the year prior was realizing just how much was actually going on. This was not a set up your camp and chill event like we had expected, but a much larger event that in many ways feels like a camping festival or expo.
Included with our tickets, like everyone, are opportunities to take part in classes and demos and creative moments related to camp. While we didn't have a chance to do them all (it's a lot to fit in), we were able to do a few that we felt really special. The full run of activities were,
- Takibi Time & Cocktails
- Bird Watching
- Coffee Roasting with Deadstock Coffee
- Matcha Tea Ceremony
- Cocktail Craft with Jim Meehan
- Candle Making with Yo Soy Candle
- Indigo Dye Station
Joining in to Takibi Time is almost a requirement to really get the Snow Peak Way experience. At the first Snow Peak Way, attendees joined around the fire to talk about their frustrations with Snow Peak products. "It's too expensive, too hard to find, and after purchase support is non-existant" were just some of the topics brought up. It was such a pivotal moment that Snow Peak was restructured the following year to be a direct to consumer operation, and even today it's this time where people are encouraged to offer feedback and work to make camping better for all.
We also signed up for the Coffee Roasting, Candle Making, and Cocktail Craft. Each unique in their own way, with the first two offering takeaways in the beans we roasted and candles we made.
For me though, I found myself the happiest leaving the Candle Making with Yo Soy Candle. Not only was it unique, getting to make your own candle, pouring the hot wax into a Titanium Sierra Cup and taking a moment to set intentions invoked the best of Snow Peak Way: reflection, doing something new, and a bit of gear.
The final class was led by the renowned Jim Meehan, who taught us the principles of cocktail making. His phrase, "if it grows together, it goes together," is one of those simple phrases that just clicked. Walking us all through a number of cocktails including a Spanish Coffee, and three variations on the Old Fashioned, sips were enjoyed and we've taken the lessons home with us.
The Last Night
While the event is two nights and three days long, it's Saturday night that it all culminates and you see the bigger parties and gatherings taking place. This was the night our group had put away their simple meals from the night before and went all out for food and drink.
We opted for a bounty of ramen, fresh sushi, charcuterie, and seemingly endless amounts of wine, whiskey, and sake. The kind of meal where you forget to take photos as you're busy enjoying the moment.
After dinner, we performed our tour-of-camp, a time that isn't scheduled but only feels natural as you grab a bottle of whatever you're drinking and wander from site to site. Leaving a bit of your spirit and spirits and taking some of the campground you've stumbled into.
Closing Ceremony and Final Thoughts
As Sunday came around, the cold of Tygh Valley morning hit in full force. A contrasting morning of sharp sunlight coming over the canyon walls - but not enough to sweep away the bitter cold. The night prior also meant there were lots of dazed faces - all waiting in line for coffee and morning oatmeal.
But with a bit of caffeine, you see people return to camp to either take in a last bit of the event or start taking things down. Either way, it's a bit of a somber morning when you realize Snow Peak Way has come to an end for another year.
The event culminates with two final events, a Paper Airplane Contest and Group Photo. The Paper Airplane Contest is a Snow Peak Way tradition, and one of two contests that are run in Japan. Winners get one practice and one final throw to get a paper airplane as close to a Pile Driver as possible. The top three winners in both a child group and adult group all receive a prize in a piece of Snow Peak gear.
With our second Snow Peak Way in the bag, we'd come into it knowing more and left wanting more. There's a constant hope for just one more night, one more event, and one more moment to wander around saying hi to other groups and people we've come to know.
In that way, Snow Peak Way feels very much like a family reunion. Once a year, people we see at no other time come together to meet, eat, drink, and catch up before saying goodbye for the next 362 days. Like a family reunion, we departed with hugs, follows on social media, and promises to stay in touch.
