Rusutsu Ski Resort

Rusutsu Resort is a year-round vacation spot in Hokkaido. The six on-site hotels can accommodate up to 4,000 guests. More than 30 restaurants serve a variety of cuisines, ranging from Mongolian lamb to snow crab to sushi to Chinese, at a range of prices. While visitors can enjoy golf and the amusement park in warmer weather, in winter, its slopes attract skiers and snowboarders from within Japan and abroad. Plenty of alternative activities are available, making Rusutsu a great place for families and groups of varying abilities.

Rusutsu Ski Resort

Photo by: iStock/7maru One of Japan’s premiere ski destinations

Rusutsu Resort is Hokkaido’s largest all-season resort, is 90 minutes by car or free shuttle from Sapporo and 45 minutes from Niseko. The resort has three peaks blanketed in fluffy snow and 37 runs that safely accommodate skiers and snowboarders of all levels, from beginner to expert.

The resort enjoys an average annual snowfall of 14 meters and is one of Japan’s premiere skiing destinations. Choose from three mountains: Mount Isola (1,898 meters above sea level), West Mountain (999 meters) and East Mountain (868 meters). The resort features four gondolas and 14 lifts. The Yotei Panorama Terrace, accessible from the West Mountain gondola, offers an impressive view of Mount Yotei, a mountain of spiritual significance to the Ainu, the indigenous people of Hokkaido, as well as Lake Toya.

Skiing and snowboarding lessons are offered for beginners. At the Samurai Kid’s Park, children can enjoy tubing and mini bobsleighing.

Resort Highlights

Photo by: iStock/ 7maru East Area seen from the West Area course

As an alternative to skiing, guests can take part in dog-sledding, snow rafting, horseback riding, snowmobile rides and ice fishing. The resort also offers plenty of apres-ski diversions: live music, indoor bouldering, pickleball and shopping. Guests can soothe sore muscles in an outdoor bath, cave bath and sauna.

Visitors can also check out the Wellness Center, which includes a fitness room, a studio with LED wall projections of soothing scenes from nature where guests can enjoy bungee aerial workouts, and opportunities for individual counseling.

An indoor wave pool transforms into “Night Pool Fantasy” in the evening via ambient music and atmospheric lighting. The on-site restaurants serve locally produced dairy products, vegetables, and seafood. Also not to be missed is a projection mapping show cast on the hotel windows, one of Japan’s largest glass screens, telling the story of the native Ainu.