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Skiing in Rusutsu: Top 10 Ski Courses at Hokkaido's Iconic Resort

Skiing in Rusutsu: Top 10 Ski Courses at Hokkaido's Iconic Resort

Last updated: 19 November 2020

Skiing in Rusutsu offers you access to Rusutsu Resort, one of Japan's most famous and awarded ski areas. With three huge skiing areas across three mountains (West Mt., East Mt., and Mt. Isola), they have 37 courses with a total running distance of 42km - without a doubt, the largest in Hokkaido!

Another unique feature about skiing in Rusutsu is the incredible powder snow - with 5% water content, it'll take your experience to another level. Plus, every night, skilled snow compaction professionals get to work to maintain the best ski slope conditions. Read on to see why skiing in Rusutsu is so exciting and unlike anywhere else you've experienced!

Table of Contents
  1. 1. Mt. Isola’s Heavenly Spirit Course: Powder Snow over a Natural Gully Terrain
  2. 2. Mt. Isola’s Isola Grand Course: Long Skiing at Rusutsu’s Longest Course
  3. 3. Mt. Isola’s Isola B Course: Rusutsu’s Famous Challenging Mogul Course
  4. 4. Mt. Isola’s Steamboat A Course: Wide Long Course with Great Access from East Mt.
  5. 5. East Mt.’s Super East Course: Rusutsu’s Steepest Slope Awaits Advanced Challengers
  6. 6. East Mt.’s East Vivaldi Course: A Popular Course that Offers a Magnificent View of Mt. Yotei
  7. 7. East Mt.’s Easy Trail Course: Great Access and Wide Gentle Slope for Easy Skiing
  8. 8. West Mt.’s Side Country Park: Uncompressed Snow Area to Enjoy Powder Runs and Jumps
  9. 9. West Mt.’s Ever Course: A Straight Course for Speedy Skiing
  10. 10. West Mt.’s Family Course: Right In front of the Hotel! & Great For Kids

1. Mt. Isola’s Heavenly Spirit Course: Powder Snow over a Natural Gully Terrain

1. Mt. Isola’s Heavenly Spirit Course: Powder Snow over a Natural Gully Terrain

・Advanced
・Length: 550m
・Maximum incline: 22 degrees

“Heavenly Spirit” is a course that takes advantage of the natural gully terrain with its uncompressed snow.

After it snows, Rusutsu’s premium dry powder is truly incredible. The natural terrain allows for a half-pipe style skiing experience.

2. Mt. Isola’s Isola Grand Course: Long Skiing at Rusutsu’s Longest Course

2. Mt. Isola’s Isola Grand Course: Long Skiing at Rusutsu’s Longest Course

・Intermediate
・Length: 3,500m
・Maximum incline: 20 degrees

The 3.5km long course with diverse slopes is Rusutsu’s longest course that is worth every moment.

You can go back and ski as many times as you want by using the Isola Gondola. It has five different junctions within the course so that you can have a different experience each time. Also, it has a terrace restaurant at the base, which is perfect for taking a break.

3. Mt. Isola’s Isola B Course: Rusutsu’s Famous Challenging Mogul Course

3. Mt. Isola’s Isola B Course: Rusutsu’s Famous Challenging Mogul Course

・Advanced
・Length: 800m
・Maximum incline: 25 degrees

One of Rusutsu’s famous courses with moguls. About mid-season, the 800m long course has a natural mogul line.

4. Mt. Isola’s Steamboat A Course: Wide Long Course with Great Access from East Mt.

4. Mt. Isola’s Steamboat A Course: Wide Long Course with Great Access from East Mt.

・Intermediate
・Length: 2,200m
・Maximum incline: 26 degrees

It is a popular long course that is easy to access from East Mt. via the Isola Quad Lift No.2. The largest course width is 210m, and you can enjoy a strong refreshing experience. There is also a restaurant at the base, which is perfect for taking a break.

5. East Mt.’s Super East Course: Rusutsu’s Steepest Slope Awaits Advanced Challengers

5. East Mt.’s Super East Course: Rusutsu’s Steepest Slope Awaits Advanced Challengers

・Advanced
・Length: 500m
・Maximum incline: 40 degrees

A course that starts from the peak of East Mt. and connects to Furikozawa Course. It is relatively short, but also has the steepest slope at Rusutsu with a maximum incline of 40 degrees. You might think it’s not too bad since it starts with a gentle slope but quickly becomes quite steep - definitely not for beginners.

6. East Mt.’s East Vivaldi Course: A Popular Course that Offers a Magnificent View of Mt. Yotei

6. East Mt.’s East Vivaldi Course: A Popular Course that Offers a Magnificent View of Mt. Yotei

・Intermediate
・Length: 2,300m
・Maximum incline: 24 degrees

It starts off a little steep, but it is a course that offers a magnificent view of Rusutsu Resort and Mt. Yotei. This course is wide and it doesn’t feel too scary and it offers a thrilling feeling as you ski. The latter half of the course has a gentle slope.

7. East Mt.’s Easy Trail Course: Great Access and Wide Gentle Slope for Easy Skiing

7. East Mt.’s Easy Trail Course: Great Access and Wide Gentle Slope for Easy Skiing

・Beginner
・Length: 750m
・Maximum incline: 8 degrees

The perfect course if you are skiing for the first time! It is the gentlest at Rusutsu Resort. A very convenient course with the East Center Station and a restaurant is located at the base where you can take a break. You can enjoy the course at your own pace.

8. West Mt.’s Side Country Park: Uncompressed Snow Area to Enjoy Powder Runs and Jumps

8. West Mt.’s Side Country Park: Uncompressed Snow Area to Enjoy Powder Runs and Jumps

・Advanced
・Length 600m
・Maximum incline: 26 degrees

A natural powder part with uncompressed snow established on each side of the Elite Course. You can enjoy the quality powder snow as you casually ski and use the natural terrain and trees for jumps. The area next to the lift is for beginners and intermediate skiers, and the outer side of the course is for advanced skiers.

9. West Mt.’s Ever Course: A Straight Course for Speedy Skiing

9. West Mt.’s Ever Course: A Straight Course for Speedy Skiing

・Intermediate
・Length: 650m
・Maximum incline: 21 degrees.

This is a course that you ski down towards Rusutsu Resort’s main base. There are two sections of the middle area that are great for carving. There is also a restaurant at the base, which is perfect for taking a break. Also, on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, there is torch skiing and even a fireworks event!

10. West Mt.’s Family Course: Right In front of the Hotel! & Great For Kids

10. West Mt.’s Family Course: Right In front of the Hotel! & Great For Kids

・Beginner
・Length: 650m
・Maximum incline: 12 degrees

A gentle slope with great access from Rusutsu Resort Hotel & Convention. “Crayon Shinchan Cross” is where they set up items so you can enjoy wave skiing and jumping, but they also have the “Kids Tree Run” where kids can go skiing through the forest for a feeling of adventure.

All the courses at Rusutsu Resort provide a great skiing experience. They have a great variety of courses for families, from beginners to advanced skiers, courses with a great view, attractions for kids, powder snow, and skiing on groomed snow.

It’s time to have a go on one (or all!) of the 37 courses which have charmed skiers and snowboarders from around the world.

Text: Akira Tsujino

▼Early-bird lift tickets are recommended for winter skiing in Japan▼

*This information is from the time of this article's publication.
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.

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