Rusutsu - Best Place to Ski in Japan
Snowboarders | Skiing | Hokkaido Powder
“Rusutsu Ski Resort in Hokkaido is absolute heaven for experienced powder hounds or powder hounds on their L plates”
Powerhounds.com
With an annual average snow fall in excess of 14m and approximately 42 kilometres of runs, Rusutsu Ski Resort offers some of the best powder and tree skiing available. The resort is one of the largest ski resorts in Japan offering everything from mellow groomed runs for beginners to hard core back country for the more adventurous.
There are two main areas, West Mountain near the resort and East Mountain/Mt Isola ski area, which is accessed via gondola from the main resort. West Mountain, located near the resort, is a ski in/ski out facility. The West Mountain includes children’s areas, beginner’s terrain and a couple of intermediate and advanced runs. There are a couple of small tree areas for those that want to try tree skiing before heading over to the East Mountain. The West Mountain also has night skiing for the keen.
East Mountain is where the action is. There are plenty of groomed runs for all ability levels. If tree skiing in powder is what you are after this is the area to head for. No matter where you look there are great options for off-piste skiing with a wide range of terrain to suit all ability levels. You can start on relatively open areas to get your confidence up then move into the trees. The better you get the deeper you can go into the trees. If you want to experience all the resort has to offer there are experienced guides who will show you areas that even on the busiest days remain relatively untouched late into the afternoon.
Nothing like fresh tracks at 3 in the afternoon!
Winter Children’s Activities
The nearby resort offers activities for children of all ages.
There is the Daniel Centre Day Care Centre for the children aged 1-4 giving parents the opportunity to get a few runs in hassle free.
Children have to be at least four to start ski lessons. There are english speaking ski instructors and a dedicated children’s ski area next to the resort. There are no English speaking group lessons. Generally lessons are 2-4 hour blocks. For children there are a couple of options.
There is the Crayon Shincan Kids School that offers both indoor and outdoor ski instruction for beginners. Initially kids learn on the new indoor slope slowly sliding in a safe and warm environment. Once they have learnt the basics the kids are taken out onto the real thing to learn how to stop and turn.
There is also the Crayon Shinchan Kids Park offering a dedicated winter playground packed full of fun features. There is a snow escalator/magic carpet so kids will not get tired walking up the small hill. They can save all their energy for tubing, riding snow bikes or skiing.
Other activities for children include a wave pool, sled rides, horse riding, snow shoeing, nature tours and snow rafting. The wave pool is in the main resort complex. The small waves provide hours of entertainment for young and not so young children. Bookings for all activities can be made at the main resort or online.