Rusutsu Hokkaido Ski and Snowboard Travel Report - Day trip report

When did you visit?

March 2008

Where did you stay?

Sapporo Hotel Montery

How was the experience overall

good

How were the prices?

Moderate

Snow conditions

Ice

Mountain(s) recommended for

Moguls Black Diamond (advanced) Blue (intermediate) Green (beginners) Backcountry

Area recommended for

Restaurants Photography Hot Springs

Best things about this place

Rusutsu has some amazing back country. Although they forbid going off piste ... in reality they don't enforce it too strictly ... well .. everyone does it anyway. It is not too crowded and seems to have many courses spread over three mountains. The food is better than average at the hillside restaurants. Try the ikura-don (samon eggs on rice) .. amazing.

Worst things about this place

The closest mountain to the hotels is quite low and was very icy when I was there. It takes a few minutes walk to get to a godolla that can take you to the higher peaks. There are two peaks that are higher and these peaks had pretty good snow (I was there in early march).

Advice

Don't waste any time at the low peaks near the hotel and the welcome center ... walk to the left about 5 minutes and there is a gondola going to the better peaks.

Other Comments

One of the best places in japan for back country snowboarding. But the back country actually can get crowded! Most people come here for back country. It is popular with families too because they have family oriented attractions here. Recommend trying the dog sled ... really cool .. you can drive the sled!

Tags

Rusutsu Hokkaido     Japan     Japan Travel     Skiing And Snowboarding In Japan