Rusutsu

Closed
Jack Lee
SnowPak Local Insider
Jack Lee
Pros
  • Amazing quality powder with annual snowfall of over 500 in
  • Slopes are much less crowded than nearby Niseko
  • Great mix of off-piste and corduroy groomers to ski
Cons
  • Lack of nightlife and only accessible by bus or car

Rusutsu Ski Packages

Lodging Discount Price
Noboribetsu Manseikaku
47% off $466
Jozankei Manseikaku Hotel Milione
47% off $513
Midtown Niseko
31% off $333

View all ski packages for Rusutsu

Overall

4.4

For incredibly deep powder like Niseko but without the crowds, there's no better resort in Japan than Rusutsu! The mountain sees tons of light and dry snow and there's plenty to bounce through in the sidecountry and between the trees. There's also a good amount of groomers which are loved by locals meaning anything off-piste generally remains untracked for longer. The limited nightlife, dining, and variety of accommodation may disappoint some visitors here but for any keen powderhound, Rusutsu is an absolute dream!

Save up to 38% when you book a Rusutsu package!

View Rusutsu packages

Rusutsu Reviews

Fabulous 4.3 / 5
based on 17 reviews

How well the resort caters for beginner skiers / boarders

Beginners

How well the resort caters for intermediate skiers / boarders?

Intermediates

How well the resort caters for advanced skiers / boarders

Advanced

How accessible and convenient it is to get to this resort from a major destination

Accessibility

Quality of the off-piste terrain

Side/Backcountry

Overall value for money of the resort

Value for money

Quality of lifts, lift speed and lift layout in the resort

Lifts

Quantity and quality of the snow

Snow

How uncrowded is the resort

Uncrowded

Après ski and dining options

Town

Services and facilities e.g. child care, tubing, health care, equipment hire

Facilities

How family friendly is this resort?

Family Friendliness
Superb!4.5 / 5Dec 12, 2017
BWBrian W.
expert skier
Rusutsu is a hidden gem. It's becoming more and more popular, but there is still plenty of terrain to accommodate crowds. The terrain varies from mellow gladed runs to steep open trails, groomed and ungroomed, with excellent side-country and backcountry access. The town is somewhat underdeveloped aside from the one massive sky-scrapper hotel at the... More
Superb!4.6 / 5Dec 08, 2017
RNRico N.
beginner snowboarder
It's been couple of times staying in Rusutsu ski resort of Westin hotel in Hokkaido. As a professional photographer, i have been travelling around Japan since few years ago exploring ski resorts and onsen resorts in Japan. I feel like home, i feel like it welcome me well everytime i visit Rusutsu. The facilities, the instructure for my... More
Average!3.2 / 5Dec 08, 2017
DRDavid R.
advanced snowboarder
Rusutsu is HUGE!!! (by Japanese standards) You can really let loose and experience a multitude of terrains at various levels. The park is magnificent in scale and never feels crowded. Getting around the resort can be confusing at times, but if you are spending more than a day there you won't be disappointed at getting lost. There are a lot of... More
Superb!4.8 / 5Dec 06, 2017
JGJohn G.
advanced skier
Rusutsu is everything you would expect in Japan, a powder room, tree skiing, volcano backdrops, cultures, excellent food and a quirky Japanese disney themed hotel. Go to get back there.... More
Superb!4.9 / 5Dec 04, 2017
SLSean L.
advanced snowboarder
Rusutsu is a great resort. Huge amounts of terrain for all experience levels, good facilities, plenty of ski school options and has some of the best snow quality in japan.... More
Good!3.9 / 5Dec 04, 2017
AGAndrew G.
advanced snowboarder
Great long and wide runs that are well groomed and stay in good condition throughout the day. Excellent tree skiing but given the tree skiing is in bounds it can be tracked out quickly.... More
Very Good!4.2 / 5Dec 03, 2017
MMMichael M.
expert snowboarder
Cool place sick powder runs and easy to reach from niseko, The only thing is there is no apreski going on. What for me as an Austrian, is essential! 4 Stars ... More