RUSUTSU

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Visit a featured ski resort RUSUTSU which has just joined the Epic Pass 

January and February see Rusutsu’s Side Country Park come to life, with all sorts of ungroomed fun to be had within the west mountain’s tree run. In one of the many other tree run areas or on the groomers, the resort’s school ensures everybody can improve their skills. Guides can show off local spots ensuring a perfect powder introduction for first-timers.

Hokkaido’s number one ski resort in size and close proximity to New Chitose Airport, Rusutsu Resort is the home of powder snow and offers families the absolute destination for turning summer into winter.

This is what winter enthusiasts have come to expect from Hokkaido but perhaps what makes Rusutsu Resort the place for families is the broad menu of other activities. This family-friendly resort is known for its additions such as dog-sledding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, the merry-go-round and an indoor heated pool. Couples aren’t forgotten. The 2017-2018 season saw the introduction of a Reindeer Park with two reindeer for those interested in a romantic sled ride.

The base of the resort is home to comfortable, clean and convenient hotel facilities, including the lift front The Westin Rusutsu Resort with its reputation for spacious rooms and many drinking and dining options.

Ski Resorts

Rusutsu Resort

For the Australian traveller, picking the perfect winter escape can be a bit on the tricky side, however, when it comes to catering for the whole family, it might be hard to beat the powder snow perfection and all-round comfort of the Rusutsu Resort. Of course, Japan is timezone-friendly and the resort is a mere 90-minute drive from New Chitose Airport and JR Sapporo Train Station, and just 30 minutes from Lake Toya, meaning Aussies can land in the home of powder snow and be ready to hit the ground sliding.

In terms of sheer size, Rusutsu Resort’s impressively huge network of ski courses places it atop the list in the whole of Hokkaido. These runs cater for skiers and boarders of all skills levels, meaning everybody gets to play, regardless of age and experience.

There is a huge network totalling 37 different runs set across three mountains at Rusutsu Resort which span all types of terrain from beginner slopes to double black diamond. There truly is something to be found for everyone in the family, no matter their experience level and appetite for thrills.

During the first two months of each calendar year, the Side Country Park at Rusutsu Resort combines the happy indulgence of ungroomed powder with gnarly kickers, rails and other natural terrain obstacles. Set up in the tree run area on the west mountain, this powder park is just one of a number of exciting tree run areas at Rusutsu. It’s the perfect place to develop new tree riding skills by taking part in a lesson, with both skiers and snowboarders well catered for. There’s also the opportunity to go on a powder trip with guides who know all the local spots. This is particularly suited to first-timers as a fantastic introduction to the area.

It should be mentioned that the resort sees, on average, in excess of 13 metres of soft powder snow each season, making sure the thrill of deep-powder gliding is not hard to find. Here, among some of the best quality snow the planet has to offer, Australian families can bank on some serious downhill fun.

The bonus for families is that beyond the pleasures of the slopes, the resort plays host to an amazing array of activities. This winter paradise hosts everything from snowmobile and snowshoe tours to dog-sledding, a merry-go-round, ice-fishing and good, old-fashioned relaxation in the form of an indoor heated pool and luxurious hotel accommodation. Couples can escape for that romantic reindeer sled ride too! Rusutsu Resort is filled with restaurants, shops, facilities and attractions designed to ensure every member of the family a memorable stay.

Among the comforts of the hotel and conference area, the Westin Rusutsu Resort features 210 spacious rooms across 23 floors, provides Westin brand signature amenities and services ensuring nothing but the best in comfort and a great experience, catering especially for families. Other accommodation options include the Travel Lodge (Annex), close to the ski area and Rusutsu Resort Hotel & Convention, as well as log houses and cottages which are perfect for groups.

This just in! Have an epic time in Rusutsu with the Epic Pass!

Rusutsu has just joined a fabulous alliance of ski resorts for the 2019-2020 winter season, making it accessible to  Epic Pass holders. What this also means is that when you get the Epic Pass, you automatically gain access to Rusutsu for 5 days.
*  Accessible with “Epic Pass”, “Local Epic Pass”, and “Epic Australia Pass” only.  The other type of  Epic Pass are not applicable to access. Check your Epic Pass details.

So what is the Epic Pass?
The Epic Pass is – as the name suggests – an epic pass that grants you access to Vail Resorts’ world class ski resorts across the globe including Beaver Creek in Colorado, U.S., Whistler in Canada and Perisher in Australia.

If you’re a serious ski or snowboard fanatic and you want to make the most of the snow available around the world, get your Epic Pass for the upcoming season today!

Epic Pass website: https://www.epicpass.com/

Hot Spring – Kotobuki

Rusutsu Resort added a brand new hot spring, Kotobuki, which opened on the 1st of July this year.
It is a spacious and luxurious facility of 3000 square metres in total, and it looks over the gorgeous mountainous views of Shikotsutoya National Park.

You can enjoy that view from the open air baths, which in both the women’s and men’s are 20 metres wide so you get plenty of personal space in the bath to relax in. You won’t miss out on the view from indoors either, the glass used on the windows are fog-free.

For resort guests, the hot spring is free to access, and for those that are there to ski or for the amusement park, it can be used at a fee.

Day use fee:
Adult (13 and above):1,300 yen
Child (age 4-12): 650 yen
Children under 3: Free

Rusutsu Resort
13 Izumikawa, Rusutsu-mura, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido
Phone: +81-136-46-3111
Open: 9:00-20:00 / Nights 16:00-20:00 (Limited time only)
http://www.hokkaido-rusutsu.com

Travelling times to Rusutsu Resort
New Chitose Airport: 1 hr 30 min (car), Niseko: 40 min (car)

Resort Data
Snow depth: Dec 130cm/Jan 210cm/Feb 280cm/Mar 280cm/Apr 200cm Terrain: Beg 30%/Int 40%/Adv 30%
Longest run: 3.5km
Gondolas: 4
Chairlifts: 14
Vertical drop: 594m
Steepest slope: 40°

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