A Day in Rusutsu

　There are many ways you can spend a day in Rusutsu but I’ll describe only one here. Get up some time around seven, sit in front of the window with a cup of coffee and enjoy the view of a big snow clearing machine fighting snow around (clearing the area), how the driver smoothly maneuvers around snow piles, and then drives back with a pi-pi-pi sound to push away the next pile. When this entertainment is over, have a big breakfast and head for the slopes to enjoy breast deep powder in the trees, or to see a magnificent view of the lake Toya and the Pacific Ocean when doing groomed runs from Mt. Isola. Have a quick stop for lunch in Steam Boat, or any other place you fancy, and back to the slopes to enjoy several more gorgeous runs. Don’t forget about hot chocolate from a vending machine for “3 o’clock snack” as they say in Japan. Go back home when you get tired for a hot shower or go to one of the hot springs to stretch your muscles and get prepared for the evening.

　It’s dinner time now. You can go to Villa Rusutsu to have some special time or to Kazuchan Shokudo or Tomekiti (they don’t serve cat food there!) for a more casual meal. Go to Rodeo Drive to chat with the Japanese couple running the place while enjoying one of their cocktails or to Pirateman to enjoy his original cooking and a bottle of good wine from his wine list. And don’t forget “peach time”! You don’t what it is yet? Well, it’s never too late to start. Ask Pirateman or the Rodeo Drive couple “what time is it?” to get the answer “peach time!” You’ll be served peach schnapps that you have to drink in one gulp, which will warm you up to your fingers and toes. Being full and warm you can continue the evening making a snowman outside, or talking to friends in a quite atmosphere, or just go to bed. In any case you can be sure there’s another heavenly day in Rusutsu to come, a day full of delights and surprises.