One of the most popular things to do in Rusutsu is snowmobiling!

You can only experience the exhilarating feeling of riding through a vast snowfield right here. At Rusutsu Resort, they offer a Standard Course (single-seat, 13 years old or above) and a Long Course (single-seat, 16 years old and above) that goes around the entire course.

They offer the Adventure Course (single-seat only, 16 years old and above), Long Adventure Course (single-seat only, 16 years old and above) for an even more exciting adventure.

Beginners don’t have to worry since the instructors are there for assistance. For the Standard Course and Long Course, they have a two-seater option, where families can ride together.

*Standard Course
■Duration: Around 30 minutes
■Price: [1 person] 7.300 yen (over 13 years old) [2 people] 9,500 yen (families allowed)

Snow rafting is an activity where you ride a rubber rafting boat that is pulled by a snowmobile through the snow – bet you’ve never done that before!

You can really feel the speed, and when it curves, the boat slides around on the snow. The snow rafting at Rusutsu is like riding a roller coaster on snow, and it’s trendy because they really don’t hold back! Another great thing about it is that you can enjoy the activity in groups.

While enjoying this fun thing to do in Rusutsu, you may get covered with snow, so the price includes helmet and goggles rental fees.

■Duration: About 10 minutes
■Price: Adult 2,200 yen/children (4-12 years old) 1,650 yen *children 3 years old or below can ride for free with parent or guardian.

Another popular thing to do in Rusutsu is dog sledding.

Being able to experience working as a team with dogs is bound to be a memorable experience for animal lovers. If it’s your first time, the instructors will teach you how to ride the sled and support you, which is comforting.

You will feel it once you get on, but it goes quite fast! It goes around a 400m oval course, but when it goes around the corner, the centrifugal force is quite strong, so make sure you hang on tight. Children two or below can ride with their parents or guardians.

■Duration: About 15〜 20 minutes (including briefing)
■Price: 3,850 yen
■Age: From 3 years old and up *children 2 years old or below can ride for free with parent or guardian.

Next, let’s step onto the silver landscape and explore the great outdoors with a knowledgeable guide from Rusutsu. At Rusutsu Resort, they offer a “Ski Rambler” activity, where you put on short skis to explore the area.

Ski Rambler
■Duration: About 2 hours
■Price: 5,550 yen
■Age: 13 years old and above (23cm shoe size and above)

Ice fishing is where you drill a hole on a frozen lake and go fishing. Normally you fish for wakasagi (Japanese pond smelt), but at Rusutsu you can catch big rainbow trout.

You might be surprised at the size of the rainbow trout when it comes out of the hole. Also, all fish that are caught are released. They have dome-shaped tents so that you can fish comfortably on a cold day. Rental items such as lures and flies are included in the fee.

■Duration: About 2 hours
■Price: 13,750 yen
■Age: 5 years old and up

All of these fun things to do in Rusutsu are on a large scale! You can experience more fun than you ever imagined in the beautiful outdoors of Hokkaido. Next time you're at Rusutsu Resort, don't just enjoy the skiing - have a fun time playing in other ways, too!

Text & Photo: Akira Tsujino

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