Rusutsu keeps eleven tree runs ungroomed on purpose

Rusutsu sits on the south-east side of Mt Yōtei, and that position explains most of what is good about it. The big volcano stands between the resort and the north-west winter wind, and the resort credits that shelter for its many sunny powder days: fresh snow under a clear sky.

It is also the simplest big resort in Hokkaido to run a family trip from. One operator, one lift pass, the hotels at the base, and everything indoors you might need on a stormy afternoon.

Three peaks, one resort

Rusutsu spreads across three mountains:

• West Mountain (715 m), closest to the hotels and home to the night skiing.
• East Mountain (868 m).
• Mt Isola (994 m), the highest, with the longest run on the resort: Isola Grand, at 3,500 m.

Together they hold 37 runs and 42 km of skiing, served by 4 gondolas and 14 chairlifts. The steepest run is Super East, at a maximum of 40°. Rusutsu says it gets more than 14 metres of snow a year. Treat that as the resort’s own figure, not a measured average.

Rusutsu was named Japan’s Best Ski Resort at the World Ski Awards in 2025, for the sixth time. Since last season it has also been on the Epic Pass.

Late light over the resort hotels.

The trees

Rusutsu is known for its tree skiing, and the resort promotes it. The trail map marks 11 ungroomed runs. The resort describes the forest on West Mountain as ideal for tree skiing, and says Heavenly Canyon and Spirit hold waist-deep snow among the trees all winter.

The rules are simple. Don’t leave the resort boundary, and don’t ski closed runs. Break them and the rescue and lift costs are billed to you. For anything beyond the boundary, Rusutsu runs its own Mountain Guiding, three to six hours, with helmets required. Heli-skiing at nearby Shiriobetsu is also possible, and we can add it to a trip.

The 2026–27 season

• Early season: from 28 November 2026.
• Regular season: 19 December 2026 to 14 March 2027.
• Spring season: to 31 March 2027.
• Night skiing: 16:00 to 20:00 (last lift 19:45), from mid-December to 30 March, on five runs on West Mountain.

Built for families

Rusutsu suits families whose children range from first-timers to teenagers who want the trees.

• On the snow: Samurai Kids lessons take children from 4 to 14.
• Childcare: the nursery offers childcare by the hour.
• Indoors: an indoor wave pool, free for hotel guests, and a two-storey indoor carousel.
• Food: more than 30 restaurants.
• Onsen: Kotobuki onsen for the adults.
• Staying free: children up to 12 stay free at The Westin Rusutsu, and up to 5 at the Rusutsu Resort Hotel.

Off the slopes there are snowmobiles, dog sledding, horse riding, ice fishing and tent saunas.

Where to stay

The resort’s own hotels are the right call here: The Westin Rusutsu, The Vale Rusutsu, or the Rusutsu Resort Hotel & Convention, all at the lifts. We have not found a bookable private chalet in Rusutsu we would put our name to yet. Groups who want a whole house usually base in Niseko and spend a day or two here. NOT A HOTEL Rusutsu, a Snøhetta-designed house at the top of the resort, is planned to open in 2029.

Getting there, and pairing it with Niseko

Rusutsu is about 90 minutes by car from New Chitose Airport, and the same from Sapporo. The Bigruns bus takes about two hours. The Sapporo shuttle is no longer free: it costs ¥3,000 one way from 28 November 2026.

Niseko is about 40 minutes away and Lake Toya about 30, so Rusutsu makes an easy half of a two-base week. Ski the trees and the sun here, then move to Niseko for the village and the backcountry gates. A private driver handles the transfer between. See how we put it together on our Hokkaido ski holidays page, or read the Furano guide for the central Hokkaido option.