Rusutsu

Understand

The ski resort extends over three mountains; West Mountain, East Mountain, and Mount Isola. The total number of courses is 37, with 19 lifts including 4 gondolas and a total length of 42 kilometres (26 mi).

Tourist information Rusutsu Resort

Getting there

The easiest way in is to fly to Sapporo's New Chitose Airport and take the direct bus to the resort (2 hours, ¥5500). There are up to 8 services per day in ski season and you can book online for a small discount. During ski season only, there is also a single bus per day from Sapporo city (2 hours, free) and, for day trippers only, Niseko (45 min, ¥9000 round-trip, as of Jan 2026). The nearest town of any size is Kutchan, but there is no public transport and a taxi will cost you ¥12,000 one way (as of Jan 2026).

Sleep

1 The Westin Rusutsu Resort. 23-storey high-rise hotel incongruously plunked down in the middle of the slopes. Ski-in/ski-out facilities, awarded best ski hotel in Japan in 2019. (updated Jan 2026) 2 Rusutsu Resort Hotel & Convention. The other large ski-in/out hotel, operated by the ski resort. (updated Jan 2026)