From the archive
Tokamachi Yuki Matsuri- The Tokamachi Snow Festival/Event/Japan travel tourism guide - Enjoy Niigata
Tokamachi Yuki Matsuri was started in 1950 by the citizens and for the citizens of Tokamachi based on the idea "let's not make snow our enemy, let's make snow our friend." The fireworks that decorate the sky at the finale of the snow-stage carnival make snowy scenery that appears straight out of a fantasy.
Discussion
If you find it too expensive to go to Sapporo snow festival, or just can't get flights and hotels booked to get there, this is a reasonable alternative.