Rusutsu Resort

Introduction

Rusutsu Resort is a medium size resort with 37 courses slightly larger than Kiroro Snow World. The courses are geared more towards intermediates and probably has the best tree skiing/snowboarding in Hokkaido perfect for finding powder. Probably my most favorite resort out the 4 Hokkaido resorts I’ve been too.

Accommodations

There are 2 main hotel facilities located at each mountain base along with few other cottages and lodging. I have not stayed at the cottages or lodging so I don’t have too much info on those. However based on my experience, staying in the resort style hotels are much more convenient with easy access to the onsens, shops, activities and dining options.

The North and South Wing are located at the base of West Mountain and feature nicely appointed rooms with amenities along with an assigned ski locker. The newly Westin Rusutsu Resort rebranded in 2016 is located closer to East Mountain and is connected to the North and South Wing by an old slow monorail. The rooms at the Westin are 2 story with a kitchen, living room and bedrooms perfect for families or groups of 4. While the Westin features more luxurious rooms, personally I prefer the rooms at the North and South Wing due to the quicker access to the swimming pool, larger dining rooms, night skiing, shops, arcade and of course lower priced. The only way to go from the Westin to the North and South wing is by monorail. The biggest plus for staying at the Westin is that the onsen is an open outdoor onsen whereas the onsen in the North and South Wing is indoors.

Ski Area

There are three peaks at Rusutsu, however the best trails are on Mt Isola. I have been to Rusutsu 5 times and honestly you could probably skip the East Mountain and West Mountain trails. The West Mountain is the only mountain open for night skiing. While Mt Isola looks small on paper, you need to count all the areas in between the trails where anywhere is game. Awesome tree powder skiing with no hiking. Hard to explain until you’ve been here but pretty much you will spend 80% of your time off trail and that’s a good thing!

Facilities

Rusutsu Resort is a resort in itself which has a number of amenities for non skiers. When you’re not skiing or snowboarding, the resort offers a wave pool, merry go round, arcade area, singing tree, various shops, bouldering area, gym, snow snowmobiling, snow shoeing, and various craft making activities.

As expected for any Japanese resort, the Westin features a large outdoor onsen with a view facing the West Mountain ski area. Massage services are also available but only at the Westin. The North and South Wing features only an indoor onsen which is still nice but nothing beats outdoors.

Food

Out of the 4 Hokkaido resorts I’ve been too, Rusutsu in my opinion has the best tasting food and choices in comparison. The Westin has a nice buffet restaurant in the atrium and the North and South Wing have 2-3 buffet choices as well as a cafeteria style option and other small eateries scattered around the resort. The one that comes to mind is the Oktoberfest buffet for dinner as well as breakfast. The buffet or I like to call feast features numerous choices of meat, seafood, appetizers, drinks and also their delicious Hokkaido soft cream for dessert. Besides the hotel there aren’t too many restaurants outside of the resort without having to travel a bit.