Conditions Report
This report is from Tuesday, January 21
In the heart of Hokkaido, just a 40-minute drive from its famous neighbor Niseko, Rusutsu Resort is one of Japan’s hidden gems. The resort comprises three distinct mountains—West Mountain, East Mountain, and Mt. Isola—each with its unique character and terrain.
Rusutsu treated us to a bluebird day with warm temperatures and sunny skies. While the groomers were firm underfoot, the real magic lay hidden among the trees, where pockets of untracked powder were still available days after the last storm.
Rusutsu’s claim to fame is undoubtedly its tree skiing, which is widely regarded as the best in Japan. From widely spaced deciduous forests to steeper and tighter lines through evergreens, Rusutsu caters to all levels of tree-skiing enthusiasts. Our favorite of the day was around Heavenly Ridge. This area was steep and tight in areas and had enough unskied powder to put smiles on our faces.
Speaking of Heavenly Ridge, Mt. Isola has two distinct areas, Heavenly and Steamboat, a nod to two of North America’s finest resorts. The cafeteria at the base also had the Steamboat logo (and served an excellent beef curry!).
We hit all three mountains today, and the lack of lift lines was a welcome surprise. The resort has 37 trails, and its 18 lifts–almost one lift for every two trails–kept things moving smoothly.
Being Winter Park, Colorado, locals, we have a nose for sniffing out moguls. And Rusutsu did not disappoint. The bump runs (single and double black ratings) provided a leg-burning workout for those seeking a challenge. Our favorites were Super East, Isola-A, Isola-B, and Dynamic. They held decent snow, with plenty to push around and make the moguls quite forgiving. We will be in Winter Park next week, so this gave our legs a good warm-up before jumping straight into Mary Jane.
What sets Rusutsu apart from its more famous neighbor is the sense of space and solitude. With 26 miles of trails spread across 524 acres, there’s plenty of room to spread out and find your own slice of powder paradise. Unfortunately, we visited after a few-day dry spell. Even though we still found untracked powder in the trees, I can only imagine how good this place is after one of Hokkaido’s famous storms. Mt. Isola has already seen 261″ of snow this season, more than all but a couple of North America’s resorts, and has a 77″ base.
With its perfect blend of groomed runs, challenging terrain, and world-class tree skiing, Rusutsu offers a complete package for skiers and riders of all abilities. The vibe of the resort reminded us of Loveland, Colorado. What Loveland is to Vail, Rusutsu is to Niseko. More duct tape than Armani; more 2004 Subaru than Tesla. It’s a ski bum’s mountain. It’s where you can push your limits in the trees, cruise wide-open groomers, or soak in the stunning views of Mt. Yotei and the surrounding Hokkaido landscape.
For those planning a trip to Hokkaido’s powder mecca, don’t overlook Rusutsu. While Niseko may grab the headlines, Rusutsu quietly delivers some of Japan’s finest skiing. Trust us; your powder dreams will thank you.
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I’d hardly call it a hidden gem…