"BEYOND," a documentary film about HEAD's global athletes who competed in various snowfields around the world during the 2023-2024 season, was released on Saturday, November 16th. One of the filming locations was Rusutsu Resort in Hokkaido. The four skiers show off their spectacular riding and enjoyable resort life at Rusutsu. We will introduce the 12 days the crew spent there along with the beautiful footage
"BEYOND" concept
"BEYOND" means "going beyond" or "going beyond." For HEAD athletes, the moment of "BEYOND" represents going beyond their personal limits and pushing themselves to the limits. This is where they discover new skating experiences and a sense of accomplishment with their precious friends
Why Rusutsu? We asked producer Jeff Thomas
Jeff Thomas, producer of "BEYOND," is a filmmaker based in Whistler, Canada, who has traveled the world following the ski scene for over 20 years. Around 2010, when SALOMON launched "SALOMON SKI TV" worldwide, he joined the project together with freeskiing legend Mike Douglas, and came to Japan for the first time to film for the project in 2011
"I called a friend in Japan and asked, 'Where should I go?' and he told me, 'Right now, you should go to Hokkaido, specifically Rusutsu.' He said, 'It has the most snow, and it's fun and amazing.'
At the time, Supernatural Park was also being built, and that's how I discovered Rusutsu. Since then, I've made connections with the staff at Rusutsu Resort, and we've kept in touch ever since. I've probably visited five or six times now
The reason I keep returning to Rusutsu is because I get lucky every time I go, and because I now know the place so well, I can shoot there more efficiently and successfully."
The crew couldn't stop laughing at the depth of Rusutsu's powder and the fun of the natural park that made use of the natural terrain, which was very memorable.
The skiers were shouting, "This is insane!" about Rusutsu's deep powder.
Later, in 2019, Jeff produced a movie for the HEAD team called "SHINRIN-YOKU ~Forest Bathing" set in Rusutsu
"I've always loved tree skiing; it's one of my great passions. In Canada, there are huge cedars and other ancient trees. When I first went to Japan and passed through the forests on the snowy mountains, I thought they were the same kind of trees, but they looked completely different. I found them so beautiful and got really excited. So I decided I wanted to create a story centered around the trees, and shoot a movie about that, in my beloved Rusutsu
Every time I go through the Rusutsu forest, the sound of the wind feels a little different. I think that's because there aren't many conifers and there are a lot of broadleaf trees. That's why the sounds of the forest are different. It's very calming. The way the snow falls is also different. And when you go through the forest, the contrast between the white of the snow and the deep dark green of the trees seems even more pronounced. The visual stimulation and beauty are beyond words. That's why I was so moved. Sliding and playing in the forest while bathing your whole body in the bounty of nature is soothing to the soul. I thought that Rusutsu forest and tree riding were the perfect expression for 'forest bathing.'"
Jeff, who is passionate about capturing the natural beauty of Rusutsu and its charm on film, has produced a new movie called "BEYOND." Here is Jeff's special Rusutsu footage. The video is just under six minutes long, so be sure to watch until the end
The timing of the photo shoot and the actual snow
Jeff arrived in Rusutsu on January 10, 2024, for the filming of "BEYOND." The film crew he spent 12 days with included four HEAD team athletes: Ian Morrison, Meg Cumming, Xander Guldman, and Jenna Keller. The photographer was the world-renowned Grant Gunderson (https://grantgunderson.com/).
Among them is Ian Morrison, a professional skier and mountain biker from Whistler, Canada. His father is the ski photography maestro Paul Morrison (who has appeared in the Japanese ski magazine "BRAVOSKI" for many years). He is a popular figure in North American media, including movies and magazines, known for his spectacular backcountry skiing. Alexander Guldman is a young skier who has suddenly attracted attention at the 2023 FWT. His fusion of style and technique in the "The Land of Giants" and "Unified" movies has been highly praised, and he was named "Breakout Skier of the Year."
"My first visit to Rusutsu was 12 years ago on January 2nd. That trip was so amazing that the date has always stuck in my mind. I went a little later this time, but I think January is the best time to visit, although it was a little windy this time. Luckily, I stayed longer, so I was able to find fresh powder, interesting spots, and blue skies. Snow? JAPOW, of course
The athletes all said, 'The powder at Rusutsu is incredibly light, it's the best powder they've ever seen!'"
The charm of Rusutsu as experienced by the crew
How was the filming actually done?
"When making a shooting plan, we take into consideration many things, such as the weather, the purpose of the day, and the movements of the skiers. We make plans while checking the weather, such as heading north if the wind is coming from the south, or west if it's coming from the east, and we always keep an eye on weather data to find good snow even in strong winds. For this reason, we have a meeting over breakfast at 6am every morning to discuss what we were able to shoot yesterday and what we will do today. If the plan doesn't work out, we make changes flexibly on the spot. It was also important to have a good understanding of the snow quality, amount of snow, and terrain."
Rusutsu boasts 37 courses spread across three mountains—West Mt., East Mt., and Mt. Isola—with a total skiable distance of 42km, making it the largest single resort in Japan. Its vast grounds are functionally laid out with hooded lifts and gondolas, ensuring efficient skiing and comfortable travel.
How did the crew ski at Rusutsu?
"I've skied all over Rusutsu. For example, I skied Mt. Isola, the other side of it, and even the east and west sides. I really skied in all sorts of places. I discovered areas where you can do long runs and places with wide views. I shot in the resort as well as in the backcountry
However, I tried to make it look more like a resort without emphasizing the backcountry feel too much. In fact, I didn't use snowmobiles or CAT skis, and instead just used the lifts to access most of the resort, so I would take the lifts every morning and ski around the resort, and when the slopes got crowded, I would hike out into the backcountry and then return to the resort
I think the footage shows the beautiful snow in the sunlight. We were blessed with blue skies and enjoyed the scenery. While we were drowning in powder, there were also days when the weather was good and we could see Lake Toya, volcanoes, Mt. Yotei, and more. Skiers and snowboarders who come to Japan from overseas are looking forward to the powder, but when they actually stand on the snow, I think they are often even more amazed by Japan's spectacular scenery. The athletes on this trip didn't expect to be able to see the Pacific Ocean, lakes, and even a large volcano, and were constantly moved by the amazing scenery
Ian Morrison said:
"I had never been to Japan before, and skating at JAPOW was at the top of my bucket list, so Rusutsu was a dream trip
The skiing was the best I'd ever experienced, the lightest, deepest powder snow imaginable
The terrain is dynamic, playful, and varied, which makes it really interesting. Every morning I woke up to find fresh snow covering the entire resort, which was amazing."
Meg Cumming says,
"The most impressive thing about filming at Rusutsu was being able to find your own zone. The easily accessible off-piste terrain was almost untouched, and you couldn't see any other people's tracks at all. This made our filming and skiing so exciting and fun. Skiing at Rusutsu was like a gem of an experience. It felt like being in your own magical forest."
Approach to Mt. Shiribetsu
During their stay, the crew also took a helicopter to Mount Shiribetsu several times. Mount Shiribetsu is a beautiful, isolated peak, accessible by helicopter from Rusutsu Resort. From the summit, visitors can enjoy fresh powder snow and spectacular views of Mount Yotei, Lake Toya, the Sea of Japan, and the Pacific Ocean
"Shiribetsudake is a really cool and beautiful mountain. I can't believe you can approach that place by helicopter. The athletes were really excited."
Differences from Niseko and Western resorts
Jeff has traveled to many famous mountains and resorts around the world. In fact, Niseko was used as a filming location for the Japanese movie "BEYOND." We asked Jeff about the differences between Rusutsu and Niseko, as well as between them and North American resorts
"For example, when you go out into the backcountry in Rusutsu, there are hardly any people there, but in Niseko you'll see hundreds of people. Rusutsu is not as crowded, it's a little quieter, and it's small in a good way. The people you meet in the village and restaurants in Rusutsu are also charming. There's something different about it from Niseko, how can I put it...it's a little cuter. Niseko has great night skiing, and the mountains are big and cool. But Rusutsu suits my style. There's a lot of variety in a compact area, and I enjoy hanging out around the lifts. Rusutsu has a more peaceful and playful atmosphere, a unique atmosphere with a peaceful and playful spirit
Compared to North American resorts, I think Rusutsu has a more playful feel. One of the athletes this time, Alexander Guldman, said, "Skiing here is very playful." He said, "It's fun to ski down the mountain with the feeling of surfing, it's like a roller coaster." And it's wonderful and delightful to be able to experience Japanese cultural hospitality wherever we go. The athletes all said they definitely want to come back again!"
Fun Activities in Rusutsu
Rusutsu Mountain wasn't the only place the crew got excited
"As you can see from the video, we did a lot more than just skiing. We also enjoyed a variety of activities, including snow rafting, dog sledding, drift car racing, and driving through the forest
Since it was a long stay of 12 days, I was able to incorporate a few activities into the shoot, which helped to create a good balance and improve the flow of the shoot. I woke up at 6am to go skiing first thing in the morning, and then spent the morning shooting greedily while the snow was still fresh. After coming down the mountain, I enjoyed some activities and went to the sauna to refresh myself. I had dinner, drank alcohol until 1am, and even did karaoke
Of all the countless photography trips I've been on, this was probably the most full-throttle and fun one. I can even say it was the most fulfilling 12 days of my life. Every day was so much fun, and I was constantly telling jokes and laughing."
A fulfilling stay
During their 12-day stay, the crew stayed in the resort's log cabins.
"Our stay in Rusutsu was truly wonderful. The log cabins were really cool; you could walk to restaurants and bars in just two or three minutes, but you could still enjoy the atmosphere of a mountain lodge. It was also convenient because we could easily return to them if we wanted to ski at night. Breakfast was at the hotel. It was a buffet style, but everyone chose Japanese food. For dinner, the most popular dish was sukiyaki. The food in Rusutsu is truly amazing."
Oh yes, everyone was also amazed by the little amusement park at the hotel. They were so excited, saying things like, "What is this? A carousel at a ski resort? I can't believe it!" Jenna Keller said,
"I've never been to a resort that even remotely resembles Rusutsu. With a carousel, an amusement park, and huge mountains all in the background, it felt like I was skiing inside a giant snow globe."
Ian Morrison posted photos of his trip to Rusutsu on his Instagram, giving an interesting glimpse into the crew's filming and resort life in Rusutsu
What impressed me most about Rusutsu
Finally, I asked Jeff what the most moving and memorable thing about the trip was
"What I'll never forget about filming in Rusutsu this time is that on the last day, about 40 centimeters of fresh snow fell overnight, and then the sky cleared up. Everyone was excited, saying, 'This is the best!' Because it was the last day, everyone was skiing with a special feeling. The athletes were thrilled and deeply moved by the blessings that JAPOW gave them
Of course, the powder, the beautiful trees, and the amazing skiing in the lush terrain were amazing, but what really moved me was how welcoming the people at Rusutsu were. We often ate at the same restaurants every night, and became friendly with the chefs and staff. They were happy to see us, and we even took photos together every night. I think this is the charm of Rusutsu as a whole, but I really enjoyed the family-like atmosphere. I've been impressed with Rusutsu's hospitality in the past, but this time it felt especially family-like, and it was a truly happy experience
I highly recommend you check out the Rusutsu segment. I'm so happy to be able to showcase the fun and amazing scenery of Rusutsu, and with four amazing athletes and photographers, I think it was the best shoot I've ever done. And it was a trip I'll never forget. I hope everyone will watch this video and have a similar experience. Rusutsu is definitely a great travel destination, and I wholeheartedly recommend it!
Information
Rusutsu Resort
13 Izumikawa, Rusutsu-mura, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 048-1711
Official website:https://rusutsu.com/
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