Rusutsu Pension Clydesdale

Morii-San and the team were the best part of our visit. They made us feel at home and created a really nice atmosphere for everyone. Make sure breakfast is included in your package, it was so delicious! We spent four nights in the Snow Dome while skiing Rusutsu, and it stayed cozy and comfortable even in stormy, cold weather. We got the best snow of our lives. The attached kitchen worked well for simple meals, which was handy since dining choices in Rusutsu are somewhat limited. A free shuttle between the pension and resort was just a text away, making skiing and meals easy to reach, only 2-3 minutes by car. We’ll be back for sure!

It honestly felt like we were leaving family when we said goodbye. Mori, his family, and the workers are so warm and attentive that you feel part of their world. Manako will pick you up and drive you wherever you need to go, free of charge, and they give you a phone card so you can tell them when you want to come back. They get you to the mountain before first lifts and can pick you up as late as 9. If you want to stay out later, it’s still barely a 20-minute walk home. Each morning starts with a warm smile and bow, and breakfast is already waiting. There’s an open fire looking out over the bird feeder and mount Shirabetsu. The rooms are clean, spacious, and well looked after. The bathrooms and showers are fantastic, and you can open the window to watch the snow. I can’t imagine finding a better experience.

The breakfast was delicious, and getting to Rusutsu ski resort was easy with the shuttle. I also found the dry room really useful for a couple of days on the slopes. The cottage is lovely and well kept, and the host is incredibly friendly, making it feel like home in Hokkaido. A super nice, cozy pension. I'd definitely recommend it for a ski or snowboard trip.

The space felt cozy, and the Japanese-style pancakes were lovely and fluffy. We grabbed some fried chicken thighs for the road too, since they're famous for their fried chicken.