ENJOYING SNOW IN RUSUTSU

　Originally this article’s planned name was “Skiing powder in Rusutsu”. We asked some of you to contribute your opinions and are very thankful for your impressions and efforts to help us with the article. We understood that you love Rusutsu and skiing here! That you enjoy groomed runs as well as powder, and that the name Rusutsu brings wonderful memories throughout the year.

“As we sit at our computer, baking in the Aussie summer, we are inspired by memories of the weightless glide through the Rusutsu trees! Love Love Love the Rusutsu powder and will be back this year”. (Katherine Lambros, Australia)

“One of my best powder experiences was in Rusutsu in last week of Feb 2009. Thick powdery snowfall every night and early morning ensuring we get fresh tracks every morning, even on groomed black runs. The runs are wide enough and only the middle section is well groomed, leaving powdering runs along the sides by the trees. Tree runs is the Rusutsu experience, the trails are simple which all lead to one or 2 focal point at the foot of the mountain, so you know there is a trail somewhere and need to fear being lost in the thick of woods. The wind is mild compared to Niseko. (Pei, Joe and Wen, Hong Kong”)

We’d also like to provide you with two professional opinions on Rusutsu: one by an Australian ski instructor and the other by a Japanese board instructor.

“Rusutsu is the best. Lighter than air. Powder combined with the steep bowls of Rusutsu is the best skiing in the word. It’s hard to describe skiing chest or head deep powder to someone who has never done it before – they just don’t believe you. Luckily with a camera however we have the shots to prove it haha.

Skiing deep powder in steep terrain for me is probably the closest thing to flying, even though you don’t really leave the ground. The feeling of weightlessness and the sensation of speed you get is incredible, especially considering it’s just you, your skis, and gravity – with no motors, wheels, or propellers. As the trees whiz past you getting faster and faster and seeming to move out of the way for you as you fly down the hill with the snow moving all around you, you can’t help but smile, giggle and yell. The sensation will turn anyone into an excited high fiving screaming 10 year old by the bottom of the run.

Skiing is tiring, cold, wet, painful, and at times frustrating. Wouldn’t give it up for the world” (Adam Coombes, ski instructor, Australia)

“It’s my ninth winter working as a snowboard instructor in Rusutsu Resort but I am still enjoying it as if it’s my first one! Snow that we get here in Rusutsu is out of this world! Only the softest and lightest powder reaches over Mt. Yotei to get to Rusutsu. We not only enjoy the magnificent views of Mt. Yotei, but it also controls the snow quality! The snow is so light here you don’t need to make any effort to lean back on your snowboard. Its nose goes up itself, and you can just relax and enjoy the feeling.

Great attention is paid to the grooming of the slopes. 12 grooming machines groom the slopes from midnight till morning to prepare them so they are in the best condition possible for the next day. They start from East Mountain and Mt. Isola at midnight, continue to West Mountain at 3-4 am and finish their work by 8 am. The grooming is so professional that you can enjoy well groomed runs even when night skiing. The majority of lifts in Rusutsu are high speed quad chairs with hoods which give added protection from the worst of the elements allowing you to feel more comfortable and to spend more time on the slopes. Rusutsu is also a well planned resort with the slopes catering for all skiing and snowboarding abilities.

I also recommend Rusutsu to those who suffer altitude sickness. All the mountains here are at a much lower altitude compared to the ones in the US and Canada. The village itself is only about 400 meters above sea level so altitude change is not such a problem. As there is not a huge difference in altitude, snow quality at the top and bottom varies only slightly.

A lot of my students say that “Rusutsu is the best ski resort in Japan, even though it’s one of the most expensive ones, it’s worth every single yen we pay here if not more”. Also if you ask my personal opinion about Rusutsu, I’ll tell you it’s the only place in the world where you can enjoy snow that is as soft as silk!” (Atsuo Yamanaka, Rusutsu Resort snowboard school principal)

And here is a video to refresh your Rusutsu memories or to feel like coming if you haven’t tried it out yet! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPkEfBgx-r8

SKK Ltd.