Rusutsu Resort | A perfect mountain with endless slopes and a variety of conditions | Hokkaido

The number of courses and total skiable distances are the best in Hokkaido!
Overwhelming scale and quality

Even in the vastness of Hokkaido, no place offers longer ski distances than Rusutsu. Rusutsu boasts 37 runs laid out on the slopes of three mountains—West, East, and Isola—each of which is incredibly long. If you connect them all, the total skiable distance is a whopping 42km! It's only 39km from Sapporo to Otaru, so if you think about the sheer scale of the journey, you could reach Otaru by skiing all the runs at Rusutsu, and it's truly impressive. Rusutsu boasts the highest number of runs and skiable distances in Hokkaido.

Of course, the snow quality is typical of Hokkaido, known as JAPOW (Japan Powder). In fact, because Rusutsu is located inland, the snow is exceptionally dry.

And yet, the snowfall is plentiful. Furthermore, the number of visitors is small compared to the size of the slopes, so there's less fierce competition for powder. Considering the near-zero inbound skiers and snowboarders in the 2020-21 season, the chances of enjoying the blissful powder snow to your heart's content are even greater.

You can do everything you want, from powder to groomed skiing, long runs, tree runs

THE Perfect mountains.

With 37 courses, Rusutsu offers a wide variety of skiing situations. From powdery slopes and unmanaged side country areas, to a park that makes the most of the unique natural terrain (closed for the 2020-21 season), to groomed runs that are said to be simply beautiful, to long courses that will make even the best skiers' knees hurt, and even night skiing, it's the perfect mountain for all kinds of skiing

As you can see from the ski resort map, the slopes at Rusutsu have a variety of orientations, so the snow conditions change depending on the direction of the slope, the amount of snowfall at the time, wind direction, and sunlight. This means there are many options for choosing a good spot to ski

On a clear day, you can see magnificent views of Lake Toya and Mt. Yotei from the slopes, and you can truly feel that you are in the northern land, which is an incredibly enriching feeling. It's not just the skiing that is satisfying, but being surrounded by nature on this mountain also fills your soul

Three mountains with their own unique charm:
West Mt. | East Mt. | Mt. Isola

A quick guide to the three mountains

The three mountains that make up Rusutsu each have their own unique characteristics. The overall view is as shown on this slope map. Let's get familiar with the outlines of each: West Mt., East Mt., and Mt. Isola.

As you can see, West Mt., , is a bit compact. However, it attracts everyone from families to freestylers who enjoy the side country park. Located in front of the hotel, it's easy to access and offers comfortable night skiing, making it a great area for everyone.

East Mt., which connects to Mt. Isola , is known for its long runs. These include the East Vivaldi run, which stretches 2,300 meters from the summit, and the East Tigne run, which follows the ridge and offers great views. These long runs offer excellent skiing with moderately moderate slopes. Additionally, just below the summit, Rusutsu's steepest slope, at 40 degrees, offers excellent skiing.

Mt. Isola is a popular destination for skiers who pride themselves on their skiing skills . It boasts the largest scale and variety of courses in the three mountains, including the 3,500m Isola Grand Course, the longest in Rusutsu. The terrain has multiple streams, and it's easy to see why there are so many advanced courses. Powder tends to accumulate on courses that drop into streams, making it the most popular spot for powder lovers. Rusutsu's famous spots are also located here!

*Some gondolas and lifts are scheduled to be out of service during the 2020-21 season. Please check
the website. Official website: https://rusutsu.com/lift-and-trails-status/

Three points to enjoy Rusutsu to the fullest

With such a large scale, it would take an entire day just to check out the locations after arriving. Here are three ways to make the most of Rusutsu

1. Ask Rusutsu regulars for their "special" tips!

To make sure you don't miss out on the best spots, we asked some riders who are familiar with Rusutsu how they enjoy skiing there! Where are the best powder spots? Which are the great courses that will satisfy even the most experienced skiers? We're intrigued

2. Check the course map to get a sense of the distance and the spots you want to ski!

Rusutsu is large and far-flung, so to enjoy it efficiently and effectively, be sure to check the course profiles and STEEP editorial team's recommendations to see if "this is a good place to ski!" It's also important to quickly get a feel for the distance on the course map when you get there, just like checking your location. If you can get a feel for the distance by your own intuition, you'll be sure to get to a good spot before others

3. Stay as long as possible!

To fully enjoy Rusutsu, which is so vast and diverse, a day trip or a two-day weekend is definitely not enough! If possible, you should stay for two, three, or even four nights. Rusutsu is said to offer an amazing stay that is just as enjoyable as the skiing. If you stay in a hotel with the slopes right in front of you, you can enjoy the first track in the morning

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Hokkaido native Hidemitsu Okada's "My way of skating at Rusutsu"

Hidemitsu Okada has been skiing in Hokkaido for a long time

Hidemitsu Okada, also known as "Hide," was born and raised in Hokkaido, and is a top rider active in the freeride ski scene based in Hokkaido. He has competed in freestyle contests both in Japan and overseas, and has since expanded his activities to the backcountry, leaving behind a wealth of film and video footage. Born in Hokkaido and having skied there his whole life, Hide says he really likes Rusutsu Resort. What is it about it that he likes?

"This is a ski resort that is sure to satisfy any skier. I highly recommend you go. You'll definitely be hooked."

"It goes without saying that Rusutsu has excellent snow quality, but I think it's a ski resort that will satisfy skiers of all genres. The runs are wide, so carving the slopes is great, and the powder rides on the ungroomed runs are exceptional. I also think there are plenty of gentle slopes that beginner skiers can enjoy.

The beginning and peak seasons are simply the best! The area is not particularly high in altitude or latitude, so the conditions are unstable in the spring, but that can also be said to change and be fun. I think this is a ski resort that will definitely satisfy skiers, so I definitely recommend you go."

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My 3 favorite BEST courses

　Super East Course　

"It's ungroomed and has a steep slope, so it's especially great in the morning after it snows!"

Steamboat A Course　

"The course is wide, so you can freely draw any turn you want."

Heavenly Spirit Course　

"The terrain is a bit bowl-shaped, so you can ski left and right and do tricks."

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My ironclad routine

When I come to Rusutsu, I almost always ski in the following order: 1. Super East Course → 2. Steamboat A Course → 3. Heavenly Spirit Course. Sometimes I ski a little on the forest course next to the course though. (laughs)

A Golden Lift that's a lot of fun in one go

"I'll tell you the strongest one.
It's the Isola No. 3 Quad Lift."

I think it's the "Isola Quad Lift No. 3" that leads to the summit of Mt. Isola. I like ungroomed snow, so I often use this lift to go to the "Heavenly Canyon Course" and "Heavenly Spirit Course." The illustration shows some fun spots

My favourite lunch menu

My recommendation at the ski resort is the "Omurice with Runny Eggs" at the restaurant "Steamboat." However, I think the pizza at the South Wing of Rusutsu Resort Hotel was delicious. That makes me just a pizza lover, though (lol)

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More recommended courses

Let's take a look at some more courses that are recommended for freeride enthusiasts based on course profile, such as distance, gradient, slope direction and terrain, as well as popular word-of-mouth recommendations

Isola Grand Course

Distance: 3,500m / Slope: Maximum 20° ◎ Average 12° / Level: ■ Intermediate / Mt.Isola

Beautiful grooming barn

This is the groomed run at Mt. Isola, known as the "beautifully groomed run" (photo). The careful work of the craftsmen is so well done, it's practically a masterpiece. The feeling of tearing through this corduroy with high-speed turns is irresistible. "The run is so long, you can pick up speed with ease, it feels amazing!" This makes getting up early even more fun

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Across A Course

Distance: 300m / Slope: Maximum 33°, Average 29° / Level: Advanced / East Mt.

On powder days, drop it at Furikozawa!

We recommend this place. The routes down to the Furikozawa course between Mt. Isola and East Mt. are a powder paradise. Among them, Across A can be skied with the East No. 2 pair list, so you can enjoy deep snow efficiently

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Isola B Course

Distance: 800m / Slope: Maximum 25° ◎ Average 22° / Level: ◆ Advanced / Mt.Isola

Riding the Isola No. 2 is the most efficient way to slide down

Renowned as a famous mogul spot, this course features a beautiful, uninterrupted mogul line that runs from the top to Furikozawa every year. It's an exciting test of leg strength for mogul skiers. Since descending to the base every time takes up too much time, it's better to use the Isola 2nd Quad to reduce energy consumption and enjoy the course more efficiently. On the wide slopes, it's also important to ski strategically

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Sky Course

Distance: 500m / Slope: Maximum 27°, Average 15° / Level: Advanced / West Mt.

This course allows you to enjoy the deep mogul lines on the left side of the West No. 2 Quad Lift. The best thing about it is that you can ski at night. Although it is short, it is a spot where you can hone your advanced techniques

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Picking out ungroomed courses for each mountain

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Lunch and cafe spots on the slopes

You'll be hungry after all the skiing you can do!
Popular lunch and cafe menu items at Rusutsu

A ski slope restaurant at the foot of Mt. Isola | Mt. Isola "Steamboat"
course, "Steamboard A & B." Enjoy the hot "Omelette Rice with Runny Eggs," the most popular ski slope food at Rusutsu Resort!

Cafeteria at the bottom of "Isola Gran" | Mt.Isola "Isola 2000"
Located at the end of Rusutsu's longest course, 3.5km, a delicious meal awaits you as a reward for your efforts. The most popular dish is soup curry with plenty of vegetables and tender chicken.

A restaurant at the foot of East Mt. | East Mt. "Lone Pine"
is conveniently located for meeting up. Popular dishes include spakatsu (pasta + cutlet) and the stewed hamburger shown in the photo. The portions are generous, flavorful, piping hot, and incredibly delicious!

Horn is a ski slope restaurant located at the foot of West Mt.
It is a restaurant on the second floor of Highland Lodge where you can casually enjoy gourmet food made with local ingredients. The most popular dish is the ginger pork set meal shown in the photo, which uses Rusutsu Highland pork.

2020-21 RUSUTSU Special Topics

Enjoy a safe and secure snow life with the highest level of COVID-19 countermeasures

[blogcard url=https://rusutsu.com/news-and-topics/covid-19/]

The "First Track of Mt. Isola" is well worth it

First thing in the morning, you can ski freely from the summit of Mt. Isola

Isola's First Track allows you to ski freely from the summit of Mt. Isola before regular opening hours. By participating in the First Track, you'll travel to the base of Mt. Isola by free shuttle bus before opening hours, then take the gondola straight up to the summit, where you can ski right up until the slopes open to the public.

It's amazing to be able to spray fresh snow on the Powder Heavenly Run and other ungroomed runs! Another great option is the first thing in the morning on the shiny, groomed corduroy runs of the Isola Grand Run.

This service is only available during the New Year holidays and during the peak season in January and February, when the chances of hitting powder are high. Rusutsu's First Track, where you can enjoy a powder long run of an unparalleled scale, is a must-try.

・Dates and times:
Thursday, December 31, 2020 - Sunday, January 3, 2021, Sunday, January 10, 2021, Sunday, January 17, 2021, Sunday, January 24, 2021, Sunday, January 31, 2021, Sunday, February 7, 2021, Sunday, February 14, 2021, Sunday, February 21, 2021, Sunday, February 28, 2021

・Fee: 2,200 yen per person (tax included)
・Capacity: 50 people per day (advance reservation required)

A series of footage shot in Rusutsu by international film crews

"SHINRIN-YOKU"

This video was shot at Rusutsu Resort by the HEAD Freeskiing team, who stayed in Rusutsu last year. The foreign crew captures Japan's white nature and culture as a form of "forest bathing." Be sure to check out the beautiful powder snow riding through the snowy world of trees

"2019-20 Torin J Wallace, Jossi Wells and McRae Williams at Rusutsu"

A group of X Games medalist freeskiers visited Rusutsu last season. The video is packed with "THE Rusutsu," including the superb powder snow with only 5% moisture and the view from the summit with Mt. Yotei right in front of you. The scene of heli-skiing at Mt. Shiribetsu features a breathtaking, silvery white landscape

Advance ticket for a set of 5 gondola and lift one-day tickets

This is a great deal! Early bird lift tickets are valid for all three ski resorts in the Kamori Kanko Group: Rusutsu Resort, Sapporo Teine, and Tokachi Sahoro Resort. They come as a set of five disposable IC cards, so you can share them with family and friends for convenient use.
Since there's no need to exchange the tickets, you can simply board the gondola or lift directly, saving you precious morning time.

・Available for purchase until Thursday, December 10, 2020
・Price (for five tickets): Adults 23,500 yen / Junior and senior high school students 15,800 yen / Children (ages 4-12) 11,700 yen
・Apply for purchase: https://rusutsu.com/advance-lift-tickets/

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■Data

Scheduled business hours: Saturday, December 4, 2020 to Sunday, April 4, 2021
Business hours: 9:00-20:00, etc.
Adult lift one-day ticket: 6,200 yen, etc.

Find out more about the appeal of staying at RUSUTSU

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