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• Resort Guide

Resort Height: 350m

Rusutsu is a very different experience for Western skiers. A kind of merged theme park and ski resort (in summer the theme park, with its half dozen roller coasters, is the main attraction), it combines some of the driest, fluffiest snow in Japan with a giant single hotel complex base, offering all conveniences and more than 750 hotel rooms under one (long) roof.

Rusutsu is located close to the base of Mt Yotei, known as “the Mount Fuji of Hokkaido” and is one of the closest to the new Chitose airport in the city of Sapporo, a two hour coach drive away. The resort has a reputation for epic snowfalls, indeed one of the few complaints visitors occasionally make it that once it starts snowing it can continue all week.

Beginners

Ignoring the fact that Japan is perhaps rather a long way to go to learn to ski, if you’re looking for something different, but with the highest service standards and reasonable costs, Rusutsu is for you! There are easy slopes right next to the hotel and beginner-friendly lifts including conveyors and chair lifts. There are English speaking ski instructors who can provide private tuition or you can sign up for the ‘Fresh Skiers Programme’ which offers two hours tuition from 10am to noon and in the afternoon from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. These lesson timings, plus a maximum class size of six, are better than most ski resorts in the Alps where you can often be required to arrive kitted-up and on the slopes by nine and class sizes may reach double figures.

Intermediates

Rusutsu’s 42km (26 miles) of runs are not the most extensive in the world, but they are well served by 18 lifts, including four gondolas and seven quad chairlifts meaning fast access to the three mountains they are spread across. Runs are up to 3.5km (just over two miles) long and thanks to floodlighting the ski area operates from 9am to 9pm so there’s no rush to cram your ski day in to the daylight hours if you fancy a lie-in.

Advanced

Japan is famous for its huge powder snow accumulations, but as most skiers stick to the piste, this often means large volumes of untracked powders are available just by the pistes. Rusutsu has a reputation for its tree skiing largely because of this. It’s worth signing up for the ‘Fresh Powder’ excursion on Mt Isola which gets you out on the slopes before everyone else – if you can face the 6am start. Available from early January to mid-March, the Fresh Powder option in provided subject to demand – with a minimum party size of two people, the maximum eight.

Snowboarding

After being initially banned at most Japanese resorts until about 15 years ago, snowboarding has helped keep the winter sports industry alive through the country’s economic downturn. With the vast quantities of powder the country is famous for, and the predominance of chairlifts and gondolas for easy rides back up the slopes, it’s also natural boarding terrain. Rusutsu has its own terrain park which incorporates a 100m long half pipe and plenty of other jumps and hits. Private snowboarding lessons are available.

Other Activities and Facilities

The Rusutsu complex contains a good selection of activities without the need to go outdoors. There’s a large swimming pool complex and a shopping mall with more than 20 shops.

Outdoor activities include toboggan runs, horse riding, dog sledding, tubing, snow rafting (descending a gentle slope on an inflatable boat) snowshoeing and snowmobiling.

A number of excursions are also available. If you visit in early February a trip to the world famous Sapporo Snow Festival is not to be missed with its spectacular ice and snow sculptures which line Odori Koen Park and Susukino. All season long there are trips to the picturesque nearby Lake Toya.

Après Ski and Dining Out

The huge Rusutsu Resort has all apres ski entertainment under one roof, with 12 restaurants and several additional bars to choose from. The dining options span the world’s culinary range with Western dishes available along side traditional Japanese and other asian cuisine. All menus have English translations.

There is a Japanese Izakaya bar, and a more Western styled Cricket bar, as well as a Karaoke room in which to indulge in the Japanese obsession of singing along to a pop song. Additional evening activities are laid on including regular over snow night time ‘cruises’ on a snowcat.

Families

There is a non-ski child care centre which accepts children aged from one to five. One year old children pay a slightly higher rate. Bookings are available for mornings, afternoons or all day, but parents are required to return and take care for their children for an hour at lunchtime. Out on the snow there is an excellent new children’s ski programme introduced for first time for the 2007-8 season, with a maximum group size of just three kids. This operates between 10am and 3.30pm and accepts children aged 4 – 6. There are also ski school classes for older children (aged 6 to 12) for two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon with 90 minutes for lunch. Private lessons especially tailored to children are also available. All of these services should be booked in advance.

Off the slopes there are plenty for families to enjoy besides including the Old Day world Carnival which incorporates a double-decker merry-go-round and in other parts of the complex there are musical fountains to enjoy and a 4D theatre.

Ski/Board Suitability Guide

Suitable for families:	[No]
Suitable for beginners:	[0]
Suitable for intermediate skiers:	[0]
Suitable for advanced skiers:	[0]
Suitable for boarders skiers:	[0]

Accommodation in Rusutsu

• Rutsutsu Resort Hotel - 4 star, half board

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