Snowballs as sport

Could a snowball fight become an Olympic sport?

According to fans of yukigassen, it is a possibility.

The organized sport was created in Japan 20 years ago and literally means “snow battle”.

Now an Okanagan couple is hoping it will catch on in Canada.

Carrie Ferguson from Okanagan Falls and her husband got the idea to bring the Japanese sport to Canada after reading an article about it.

“It’s a combination of paintball, capture the flag, dodgeball…with snow,” Ferguson, who heads Yukigassen Canada, said.

The game takes place on a rectangular-shaped snow court that features snow shelters.

Ferguson says the shelters are used as shields.

Each team has seven players.

If you are hit with a snowball, you’re out.

And there are three ways you can win the game – capture the other team’s flag, knock all your opponents out of the game or have the most players left on the court at the end of the game.

Ferguson says she would love to bring yukigassen to the Okanagan; however, due to the shortage of snow, it will likely have to take place at one of the ski hills.

The sport will make its official North American debut in Saskatoon later this month.

The first Canadian championship will take place in Edmonton in March.