Rusutsu's world-class snow and lift infrastructure have made it one of Japan's top ski destinations. Now, for the first time, there's an opportunity to own privately within the boundaries of the resort.
The resort
Incredible, lift-accessed tree skiing in deep powder, some of the best groomers in the country and a distinctly Japanese-yet-foreigner-friendly vibe make it such that almost everyone who has had the fortune to visit Rusutsu Ski Resort in Hokkaido has simply loved their winter stay. Less well known is its summer appeal with four golf courses, a theme park and many great restaurants serving up the region’s best fresh cuisine.
Rusutsu Resort
Approximately 30 minutes from Niseko, Rusutsu is a destination for a dedicated holiday in its own right with the standard of accommodations and restaurants continually improving. For owners, it’s an untapped resort with many property and land opportunities coming online now for buyers looking to access a resort market which will definitely grow.
The list of reasons to visit Rusutsu for a winter ski trip goes on and on and on but the biggest and best is the snow! Rusutsu boasts as much annual snowfall as many other Japanese resorts but what separates it from most is the well-designed chairlift network that caters perfectly to groups of skiers and riders with differing ability levels and desires. Split over two ‘sides’ (East being larger and more varied, and West which is smaller but ski-in ski-out to the Rusutsu Resort Hotel and Vale Rusutsu hotel) the resort is designed in such a way that after disembarking any of the upper mountain lifts, skiers can make their choice of steep and deep tree runs, wide open and perfectly groomed pistes, or something in between. And in almost all locations in the resort, these runs funnel down to the same place on the base.
Rusutsu powder skiing
At the base, there are many cafeteria style day-lodge restaurants serving food that is absolutely perfect for a day on the ski hill. Hot bowls of ramen, Japanese ‘omu-rice’ dishes and a katsu curry that is arguably the best in south-west Hokkaido. All yours to enjoy (with a cold beer of course) with your snow-loving friends having the best ski day of your lives!
The property market
Historically, Rusutsu Resort and almost all surrounding land has been held by the owning company. The Rusutsu Resort Hotel is a quirky Japanese hotel featuring a shopping arcade and dancing mascots on the East side of the resort. The Westin Rusutsu, a quality franchise hotel on the West side, was awarded Japan’s Best Ski Hotel at the 2019 World Ski Awards and these two hotels have been the main accommodation options in years past. Both these hotels are operated by Rusutsu Resort and opportunities for investors have been very few and far between.
Vale Rusutsu
BUT all of this is changing with the arrival of the brand-new, NISADE-built and managed Vale Rusutsu now sitting ski-in ski-out on the East mountain side. A range of units within the Vale Rusutsu are available for purchase starting at just over $500,000 USD… the first opportunity to own privately within the boundaries of Rusutsu Resort. The price per sqm of these apartments is about half that of ski-in ski-out options in Niseko, but Vale Rusutsu is not only directly connected to Rusutsu onsen but you can even walk to the many dining options in the resort hotel without stepping outside! Click here for more information on the Vale Rusutsu.
Detached resort homes in the Rusutsu area are also on the market and land opportunities abound for those looking to build their own dream property in an evolving, growing resort market with nearly boundless scope for future success. To view all 30 Rusutsu properties listed on Uchi, click here!
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