The Vale Rusutsu

We spent seven days at this resort and I’d happily return. The lifts had friendly staff who were careful about safety and hazards, and if you stay at the resort hotel, there’s a free shuttle from Sapporo that takes about two hours. We arrived at 10am and the hotel stored our suitcases in free lockers so we could head straight out into the snow. The resort is old, but I found it charming, like stepping back into a childhood holiday memory. Even with skiers and guests tracking snow inside, staff kept the place remarkably clean, including sparkling toilets. The buildings and facilities are old, but cleanliness really matters to me. Hotel staff were friendly and helpful, and all the resort restaurants were tasty. Breakfast had lots of choices and fresh crab. You could also use a breakfast voucher at the bakery for breads, salad, and drinks, enough for two meals.

The location was perfect for skiing, basically ski-in, ski-out, and the rentals, lockers, and dining facilities were all good. The onsen was roomy enough, with a fantastic outdoor setting. We had trouble booking a bus back to Sapporo through the apps, but Lin Minglin at the reception hall went out of their way to help us arrange it. That made a real difference. Thank you!

The room was spacious, though a little old, and the hotel has plenty of food and shopping options. I was disappointed by the limited selection of international retail brands, such as Burton, Salomon, and The North Face. Since I can easily buy those at home, I’d hoped to find Japanese ski and snowboard brands like Gentemstick, Spread, or Yonex after an 11-hour flight. The ski-in, ski-out access is unbeatable, and ski lockers are available. You can also book rentals and lessons in Japanese, English, or Chinese. After a long powder day, having the onsen nearby was perfect for soothing tired muscles.

A family-friendly ski-in, ski-out resort with plenty of restaurants in the hotel and nearby. The slopes weren’t too crowded, and the east side has a much larger skiing area that’s just a gondola ride away. There’s also an indoor wave pool and a long waterslide for young kids to enjoy when they’re not skiing. The ski school is highly rated and offers lessons in English or Mandarin, but book ahead since it can get busy. Highly recommend!