Thick blankets of some of the most powdery and incredible snow you have ever seen demarcate Rusutsu as one of the most impressive resorts in the world.
With a year-round population of just under 2000 inhabitants, it is intimate and offers activities that enhance the ski experience. Given its unique positioning, any good property investment guide to Rusutsu will explain the area experiences a very long ski season from November right through to late March, meaning there is plenty of time to enjoy its 37 different trails.
Living in Rusutsu
Soaring volcanic mountains laden with some of the most impressive looking snow in the world create an unusual and impressive backdrop to Hokkaido and particularly the Rusutsu resort.
There are some eighteen lifts operating in Rusutsu and four of these are gondolas, so visitors can travel around the resort with complete ease. Super-fast quad chairs with hoods mean that skiers can travel back up the slopes in style.
Lined with lush trees and offering every imaginable type of sport, Rusutsu is a fairly quiet resort that has been heavily invested in and brags some of the driest powder in the world that you can glide through. Purpose built in one of the fastest growing and modern countries, this resort has everything the modern skier could want from a ski holiday. Developers have taken care of everything so there is a fast and well-maintained network of ski lifts to ensure you save your energy for the downhill and stay warm in the cold. With its impressive infrastructure, varied social life and tree ski slopes for the more advanced, Rusutsu is one of the best resort sites in the world, and a favourite in Japan.
Contrary to some of its busier counterparts, such as Niseko, Rusutsu is perfect for families as there is a range of other activities to do.
Things To Do in Rusutsu
Aside from some seriously world-class skiing, there is plenty to do in Rusutsu, particularly for families, as the resort has been created with them in mind. Adorned with some of the unusual Japanese kitsch westerners read about, there is also plenty of opportunities to warm up in an onsen (a Japanese hot tub), or snuggle down under kotatsu table (a table with an attached duvet fitted with a heating element), perfect for getting the warmth back in after a long day on the slopes.
During the summer, the mountain takes on a different personality and visitors can enjoy an outdoor amusement park with rollercoasters and a Ferris wheel. There is a wave pool, amusement arcade and snow park that offers a range of more safety conscious winter sports such as snow biking and tubing, so there's plenty to involve the kids.
Filled with delicious restaurants and traditional Japanese cuisine, Rusutsu offers something of 'real' Japan, making the ski holiday a cultural exploration as well. This is where it differed from Niseko, since there are just a scattering of quiet bars and not the thronging nightlife, making it the perfect destination for families or those who love nature. Simply admiring the incredible views as the setting sun outlines the fantastic silhouettes of volcanoes is a treat for the eyes, and certainly Rusutsu, if not all of Hokkaido, offers something a little different in terms of landscape.
Weather Conditions in Rusutsu
Rusutsu enjoys a cold climate year round and temperatures of -9 to about 11.5 can be seen throughout the December to April time frame. Seeing powdery snowfall from December through to April is common for Rusuto, with the highest snowfall happening in January - where many days up to 100m of snow falls. This means that during the ski season, you are sure to see some fresh powder, whilst during the summer you can enjoy the highs of 24 degrees. For up-to-date snow and weather reports, take a look at our Rusutsu ski resort guide.
Transport to Rusutsu
A myriad of bus companies, including Hokkaido Niseko Bus and Hokkaido Access Network, operate a busy bus schedule between Sapporo's New Chitose Airport and Rusutsu, making this one of the easiest access resorts around.
The nurturing Japanese infrastructure also offers a free daily shuttle bus for resort guests between Sapporo and Rusutsu. This, however, does need reservations of up to a day prior to travel to ensure a space.
Throughout the main season - December to early April, Donan Bus and Hokkaido Access Network schedule multiple buses daily between the capital of Sapporo and Rusutsu.
Jan 02, 2024
