Rusutsu comprises three mountains, West Mountain on one side of the resort village holding mostly gentle terrain and, opposite, East and Isola Mountains with the more advanced and intermediate slopes. The ski area is vast enough to keep riders spread out and prevent congestion.
This factor is aided by Rusutsu’s modern lifting system, one of the fastest and most efficient in Hokkaido, with 18 lifts comprising 4 gondolas, 7 quad lifts, and 7 double chairlifts plus three magic carpets in the learner’s area. There’s also the welcome addition of hoods on six of these chairlifts, particularly the ones that sit in almost all-day shade.
While renowned as a destination well-suited for those who like to rip, Rusutsu’s terrain is in fact split fairly even with 30% beginner, 40% intermediate, and 30% advanced slopes. There are 37 marked trails altogether, including several areas where people of all abilities can ski the same lifts, and generous hours with lifts open from 9 am to 8 pm daily and 9 pm daily when night skiing is in full swing.
All three summits have long, sprawling cruising runs that cater well to all levels. Leap off the side of the groomed slopes to find wide open bowls and tree skiing with endless natural terrain features from snow mushrooms to log slides. Mt Isola has most of the advanced to expert runs although even beginners can ride to its summit, enjoy the views over Lake Toya to the ocean and take the green Isola Bypass back to the flatlands and easier slopes.
The groomed parks consistently receive top marks for having jumps to suit all levels, kickers ranging from 5 feet to 40 feet (1.5 m to 12 m), rails, and rainbows. The Side Country Park on West Mt has all kinds of creative features based around wooden jumps and tree branches
A First Tracks program runs on Mt Isola during specific periods in January and February, the details of which will be found each season on Rusutsu’s official website.
Participants meet in the Rusutsu Hotel at 8.15 am, are bussed to Mt Isola for an 8.45 am gondola ride, and are given the chance to carve freshies for a few runs before regular ticket holders arrive.
Mountain Stats
Skiable Terrain | 523.9 acres (212 hectares) |
Vertical | 594 m (1,949 ft) |
Top Elevation | 994 m (3,261 ft) |
Base Elevation | 400 m (1,312 ft) |
Average Snowfall | 800 cm (314 in/26 ft) |
Beginner Terrain | 30% |
Intermediate Terrain | 40% |
Advanced Terrain | 30% |
Trails | 37 |
Parks | 1 |
Winter lifts Total | 18 |
Gondolas Trams | 4 |
Chair Lifts | 14 |
Lift Capacity | 30,300 |
Longest Run | 3.5 km (2.2 mi) |
Season Opens | November |
Season Closes | April |