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

With the most courses and total skiable distance, it's No. 1 in Hokkaido!
Overwhelming scale and quality.

Even in the vastness of Hokkaido, there is no place where you can ski as long as Rusutsu. Rusutsu has 37 courses laid out on the slopes of three mountains: West, East, and Isola, and each of them is very long. When you connect them all together, the total skiable distance is a staggering 42km! Considering that the distance from Sapporo to Otaru is 39km, the sheer scale of Rusutsu is astonishing, as you could reach Otaru by skiing all the courses there. It boasts the largest number of courses and total skiable distance in Hokkaido.

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

And yet, it snows in abundance. Moreover, the number of people is relatively small compared to the size of the slopes, so there is less fierce competition for powder. If you imagine that there will be almost no inbound skiers and snowboarders this 2020-21 season, the chance to fully enjoy the blissful powder snow is even greater.

From powder, groomed runs, long tree runs,
to night skiing, you can do everything you want.

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, each with its own unique character:
West Mt., East Mt., and Mt. Isola.

A quick guide to the three mountains

The three mountains that make up Rusutsu each have their own unique characteristics and charm. The overall layout is as shown on this slope map. Let's get to know the general outlines of West Mt., East Mt., and Mt. Isola. As is immediately apparent, West Mt., located in the far right with Mt. Yotei in the background , is relatively compact in size. However, it attracts everyone from families to freestylers who want to ski the sidecountry park to their heart's content. With easy access in front of the hotel and night skiing that can be enjoyed without feeling cold, it is an area that is easy and comfortable for everyone to ski. East Mt., which connects to Mt. Isola , is characterized by its long courses. From the East Vivaldi course that stretches for 2,300m from the summit to the East Tigne course with great views along the ridge, the long distances and moderate slopes make them very easy to ski. In addition, there is a 40-degree slope just below the summit, the steepest slope in Rusutsu, which offers a thrilling skiing experience. Mt. Isola is where skilled skiers gather . It boasts the longest course in Rusutsu at 3,500m, the Isola Grand Course, and its scale and variety of courses are unmatched among the three peaks. The terrain features multiple ravines, which explains the abundance of advanced courses. Powder tends to accumulate in the courses that descend into the ravines, making it a top choice for powder skiers. Rusutsu's famous ski spots are also located here!

*Some gondolas and lifts are scheduled to be closed during the 2020-21 season. Please check the website for details.
◆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 more than anything, I think it's a ski resort that can satisfy skiers of all genres. The courses are wide, so carving on the groomed slopes is a blast, and powder riding on the ungroomed courses is exceptional. And yet, there are plenty of gentle slopes that even beginner skiers can enjoy. 

The beginning of the season and the peak season are simply the best! It's not in a particularly high altitude or latitude area, so the conditions aren't always stable in the spring, but that can also be seen as interesting because of the variety. I think it's a ski resort that will definitely satisfy any skier, so I highly 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 about the best one.
It's the Izola 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 starving after skiing to your heart's content!
Popular lunch and cafe menus in Rusutsu

A ski resort restaurant at the foot of Mt. Isola　|　" courses at Mt. Isola
. Enjoy the hot and delicious "melt-in-your-mouth omelet rice," the most popular dish at the ski resort restaurants within Rusutsu Resort!

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

A restaurant located 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 steak pictured. Generous portions, full of flavor, served piping hot and absolutely delicious!

A ski resort restaurant at the foot of West Mt. | "Horn"
is a restaurant on the 2nd floor of Highland Lodge where you can easily enjoy gourmet food made with local ingredients. The most popular dish is the ginger pork set meal using Rusutsu Plateau pork, as shown in the photo.

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 be transported to the base of Mt. Isola by a free shuttle bus before opening hours, and then taken straight up to the summit by gondola, where you can ski until the slopes open to the public.

It's fantastic to be able to kick up sprays of fresh snow on the Powder Heavenly Course and other ungroomed courses! It's also great to ski down the 3,500m corduroy run of the Isola Grand Course, which is sparkling clean and groomed first thing in the morning.

This service is only available on Sundays during the New Year holidays and the peak season of January and February, when the chances of hitting powder are high. Rusutsu's First Track offers a powder long run on a scale unlike anywhere else, so you shouldn't miss it.

Dates and times:
December 31, 2020 (Thu) - January 3, 2021 (Sun), January 10, 2021 (Sun), January 17, 2021 (Sun), January 24, 2021 (Sun), January 31, 2021 (Sun), February 7, 2021 (Sun), February 14, 2021 (Sun), February 21, 2021 (Sun), February 28, 2021 (Sun)

• Price: 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 valid at three ski resorts of the Kamori Kanko Group: Rusutsu Resort, Sapporo Teine, and Tokachi Sahoro Resort. It's a set of five disposable IC card 1-day passes, so you can easily share them with family and friends and use them freely.
No exchange is required, so you can ride the gondola and lifts directly, saving you precious morning time.

• Purchase period: Until December 10th, 2020 (Thursday)
• Price (5 tickets): Adults 23,500 yen / Junior/Senior High School Students 15,800 yen / Children (4-12 years old) 11,700 yen
• Purchase application:https://rusutsu.com/advance-lift-tickets/

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■Data

Operating period: December 4, 2020 (Sat) - April 4, 2021 (Sun)
Operating hours: 9:00 - 20:00 and other times
Adult lift day ticket: 6,200 yen and other times

Find out more about the appeal of staying at RUSUTSU

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