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Ski resort in Hokkaido, Japan
Rusutsu
A large Hokkaido resort spread over three mountains, with a hotel complex and a summer amusement park.
Forecast updated , when it was 22:00 in Rusutsu (GMT+9).
Rusutsu snow forecast at 994 m (top lift)
Next 24 hours on the upper mountain
No snow in the next 24 hours.
Snow arrives on Monday, with 0–25 cm over the next 7 days.
Medium confidence, one model shows some snow
No snow is forecast for Rusutsu at the top lift (994 m / 3,300 ft) in the next 24 hours, but 0–25 cm (0–10 in) is forecast over the next 7 days, starting on Monday. Two of the three weather models we compare forecast snow this week. Expect temperatures from −6 to 0 °C (21 to 32 °F), the freezing level near 1,100 m (3,600 ft) and gusts up to 45 km/h (28 mph) over the next day.
- Temperature now
- 0 °C (32 °F)
- Freezing level
- 1,100 m (3,600 ft)
- Wind
- 4 km/h (2 mph), gusts 8 km/h (5 mph)
- Sky now
- Overcast, 100% cloud
Rusutsu hour by hour, on the upper mountain
Hourly snowfallShow the hours as a table
| Time | Weather | Snowfall |
|---|---|---|
| Now | Rain | None |
| 11pm | Rain | None |
| midnight | Rain | None |
| 1am | Rain | None |
| 2am | Rain | None |
Hours not listed are dry. Times are local (GMT+9).
Rusutsu 7-day snow forecast, on the upper mountain
Best day to ski in Rusutsu this week: Tuesday. No fresh snow, some sun, light wind. How we grade a ski day.
| Day | Weather | Snowfall |
|---|---|---|
| Tonight | Rain0 °C (32 °F) · freezing level 1,100 m (3,600 ft) | No snow |
| Mon | Light snowPoor ski day−6 to 0 °C (21 to 32 °F) · gusts 45 km/h (28 mph) · freezing level 600 m (2,000 ft) | 0–2 cm (under 1 in) |
| Tue | Some sunBest day−6 to −1 °C (21 to 30 °F) · freezing level 350 m (1,100 ft) | No snow |
| Wed | RainPoor ski day−4 to 3 °C (25 to 37 °F) · gusts 44 km/h (27 mph) · freezing level 1,300 m (4,300 ft) | No snow |
| Thu | SnowPoor ski day−7 to 1 °C (19 to 34 °F) · gusts 62 km/h (39 mph) · freezing level 600 m (2,000 ft) | 0–6 cm (0–3 in) |
| Fri | Light snowPoor ski day−9 to −6 °C (16 to 21 °F) · gusts 60 km/h (37 mph) · freezing level 100 m (300 ft) | 0–9 cm (0–4 in) |
| Sat | SnowPoor ski day−9 to −4 °C (16 to 25 °F) · gusts 41 km/h (25 mph) · freezing level 200 m (700 ft) | 0–7 cm (0–3 in) |
Sky is graded over the ski day, 9am to 4pm. Bluebird means at least two of the three models show clear skies all day, none shows overcast, and no snow or rain is forecast. Models are weaker on cloud than on snow, and none of them can see valley fog, so treat it as a good sign rather than a promise.
Rusutsu 14-day snow outlook, on the upper mountain
Days 8 to 14. Only two of our three models run this far ahead, and forecasts at this range often change, so read this as a guide to the pattern rather than a plan.
| Day | Weather | Snowfall |
|---|---|---|
| Sun 22 Nov | Chance of snow−10 to −5 °C (14 to 23 °F) · 1 of 2 models show snow | 0–3 cm (under 1 in) |
| Mon 23 Nov | Rain−10 to −1 °C (14 to 30 °F) | No snow |
| Tue 24 Nov | Rain−5 to 1 °C (23 to 34 °F) | No snow |
| Wed 25 Nov | Some sun−8 to −2 °C (18 to 28 °F) | No snow |
| Thu 26 Nov | Some sun−8 to 1 °C (18 to 34 °F) | No snow |
| Fri 27 Nov | Rain−2 to 4 °C (28 to 39 °F) | No snow |
| Sat 28 Nov | Snow−7 to −3 °C (19 to 27 °F) · 2 of 2 models show snow | 2–6 cm (0–3 in) |
How much snow is there in Rusutsu on the upper mountain?
No snow on the ground
This is an estimate from weather models, not a measurement, so it can differ from the depth a resort reports on its pistes. Check the official snow report before you travel.
Rusutsu snow forecast at 400 m (village)
Next 24 hours in the village
No snow in the next 24 hours.
Snow arrives on Thursday, with 0–25 cm over the next 7 days.
Medium confidence, one model shows some snow
No snow is forecast for Rusutsu in the village (400 m / 1,300 ft) in the next 24 hours, but 0–25 cm (0–10 in) is forecast over the next 7 days, starting on Thursday. Two of the three weather models we compare forecast snow this week. Expect temperatures from −2 to 4 °C (28 to 39 °F), the freezing level near 1,100 m (3,600 ft) and gusts up to 45 km/h (28 mph) over the next day.
- Temperature now
- 4 °C (39 °F)
- Freezing level
- 1,100 m (3,600 ft)
- Wind
- 4 km/h (2 mph), gusts 8 km/h (5 mph)
- Sky now
- Overcast, 100% cloud
Rusutsu hour by hour, in the village
Hourly snowfallShow the hours as a table
| Time | Weather | Snowfall |
|---|---|---|
| Now | Rain | None |
| 11pm | Rain | None |
| midnight | Rain | None |
| 1am | Rain | None |
| 2am | Rain | None |
Hours not listed are dry. Times are local (GMT+9).
Rusutsu 7-day snow forecast, in the village
| Day | Weather | Snowfall |
|---|---|---|
| Tonight | Rain4 °C (39 °F) · freezing level 1,100 m (3,600 ft) | No snow |
| Mon | Chance of snow−2 to 4 °C (28 to 39 °F) · gusts 45 km/h (28 mph) · freezing level 600 m (2,000 ft) | 0–2 cm (under 1 in) |
| Tue | Some sun−3 to 2 °C (27 to 36 °F) · freezing level 350 m (1,100 ft) | No snow |
| Wed | Rain0 to 6 °C (32 to 43 °F) · gusts 44 km/h (27 mph) · freezing level 1,300 m (4,300 ft) | No snow |
| Thu | Light snow−3 to 5 °C (27 to 41 °F) · gusts 62 km/h (39 mph) · freezing level 600 m (2,000 ft) | 0–6 cm (0–3 in) |
| Fri | Light snow−5 to −2 °C (23 to 28 °F) · gusts 60 km/h (37 mph) · freezing level 100 m (300 ft) | 0–9 cm (0–4 in) |
| Sat | Snow−5 to 0 °C (23 to 32 °F) · gusts 41 km/h (25 mph) · freezing level 200 m (700 ft) | 0–7 cm (0–3 in) |
Sky is graded over the ski day, 9am to 4pm. Bluebird means at least two of the three models show clear skies all day, none shows overcast, and no snow or rain is forecast. Models are weaker on cloud than on snow, and none of them can see valley fog, so treat it as a good sign rather than a promise.
Rusutsu 14-day snow outlook, in the village
Days 8 to 14. Only two of our three models run this far ahead, and forecasts at this range often change, so read this as a guide to the pattern rather than a plan.
| Day | Weather | Snowfall |
|---|---|---|
| Sun 22 Nov | Chance of snow−6 to −1 °C (21 to 30 °F) · 1 of 2 models show snow | 0–3 cm (under 1 in) |
| Mon 23 Nov | Rain−6 to 3 °C (21 to 37 °F) | No snow |
| Tue 24 Nov | Rain−1 to 5 °C (30 to 41 °F) | No snow |
| Wed 25 Nov | Some sun−4 to 1 °C (25 to 34 °F) | No snow |
| Thu 26 Nov | Some sun−4 to 5 °C (25 to 41 °F) | No snow |
| Fri 27 Nov | Chance of snow2 to 8 °C (36 to 46 °F) · 1 of 2 models show snow | 0–2 cm (under 1 in) |
| Sat 28 Nov | Snow−3 to 1 °C (27 to 34 °F) · 2 of 2 models show snow | 1–3 cm (under 1 in) |
How much snow is there in Rusutsu in the village?
No snow on the ground
This is an estimate from weather models, not a measurement, so it can differ from the depth a resort reports on its pistes. Check the official snow report before you travel.
Where is Rusutsu?
- Prefecture
- Hokkaido
- Country
- Japan
- Village
- 400 m
- Top lift
- 994 m
- Vertical
- 594 m
- Pistes
- 42 km
- Lifts
- 19
- Season
- Late November to Late March
- Airports
- New Chitose (CTS)
- Website
- rusutsu.com
About Rusutsu
Rusutsu Resort’s ski terrain covers three mountains: West Mountain, East Mountain and Mount Isola. It has 37 courses, a vertical drop of 594 m and a longest run of 3.5 km.
The resort also runs an amusement park, hotels and golf courses. A shuttle bus from New Chitose Airport takes about two hours.
When does it snow in Rusutsu?
In Rusutsu, snow falls on about 17 days in December in a typical year, the snowiest month. Snow is regular from November to April.
| January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 days | 15 days | 9 days | 4 days | <1 days | 0 days | 0 days | 0 days | 0 days | <1 days | 7 days | 17 days |
Average days each month with at least 1 cm of snowfall at mid-mountain, 2016–2025. Calculated from ERA5 reanalysis data.
Snow in Rusutsu month by month
Averages for 2016 to 2025 at mid-mountain, from ERA5 reanalysis data.
| Month | Snow days | Share of the year's snow | Low to high |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16 | 24% | −12 to −6 °C (10 to 21 °F) |
| February | 15 | 20% | −11 to −5 °C (12 to 23 °F) |
| March | 9 | 17% | −7 to 0 °C (19 to 32 °F) |
| April | 4 | 6% | −2 to 7 °C (28 to 45 °F) |
| May | <1 | 0% | 5 to 13 °C (41 to 55 °F) |
| June | 0 | 0% | 9 to 17 °C (48 to 63 °F) |
| July | 0 | 0% | 14 to 21 °C (57 to 70 °F) |
| August | 0 | 0% | 15 to 22 °C (59 to 72 °F) |
| September | 0 | 0% | 11 to 18 °C (52 to 64 °F) |
| October | <1 | 2% | 4 to 11 °C (39 to 52 °F) |
| November | 7 | 9% | −3 to 3 °C (27 to 37 °F) |
| December | 17 | 22% | −10 to −4 °C (14 to 25 °F) |
Snow in Rusutsu in November
In November, Rusutsu gets snow on about 7 days at mid-mountain, and the month brings about 9% of the year's snowfall. Daily temperatures usually run from −3 to 3 °C (27 to 37 °F).
Snow in Rusutsu in December
In December, Rusutsu gets snow on about 17 days at mid-mountain, and the month brings about 22% of the year's snowfall. Daily temperatures usually run from −10 to −4 °C (14 to 25 °F).
Snow in Rusutsu in January
In January, Rusutsu gets snow on about 16 days at mid-mountain, and the month brings about 24% of the year's snowfall. Daily temperatures usually run from −12 to −6 °C (10 to 21 °F).
Snow in Rusutsu in February
In February, Rusutsu gets snow on about 15 days at mid-mountain, and the month brings about 20% of the year's snowfall. Daily temperatures usually run from −11 to −5 °C (12 to 23 °F).
Snow in Rusutsu in March
In March, Rusutsu gets snow on about 9 days at mid-mountain, and the month brings about 17% of the year's snowfall. Daily temperatures usually run from −7 to 0 °C (19 to 32 °F).
Snow in Rusutsu in April
In April, Rusutsu gets snow on about 4 days at mid-mountain, and the month brings about 6% of the year's snowfall. Daily temperatures usually run from −2 to 7 °C (28 to 45 °F).
Which winters were snowiest in Rusutsu?
Of the last ten winters in Rusutsu, 2017/18 was the snowiest, about 43% above the ten-year average at mid-mountain. The leanest was 2018/19, about 25% below average. The biggest single day of snowfall in the record was 11 January 2022.
| Winter | Compared with average | |
|---|---|---|
| 2016/17 | 104% of average | |
| 2017/18 | 143% of average | |
| 2018/19 | 75% of average | |
| 2019/20 | 97% of average | |
| 2020/21 | 102% of average | |
| 2021/22 | 124% of average | |
| 2022/23 | 87% of average | |
| 2023/24 | 91% of average | |
| 2024/25 | 81% of average | |
| 2025/26 | 98% of average |
Winters are compared with each other rather than given in centimetres. The ERA5 record is reliable on which winters were big and which were lean, but it underestimates absolute snowfall in the mountains, so the resort's own measured totals are the ones to trust for amounts.
Questions about snow in Rusutsu
Does Rusutsu have snow at Christmas?
Rusutsu had at least 2.5 cm (1 in) of snow on the ground on Christmas Day in every one of the 10 years from 2016 to 2025 at mid-mountain. Fresh snow fell during 20 to 26 December in every one of those years.
Does Rusutsu have snow at New Year?
Rusutsu had at least 2.5 cm (1 in) of snow on the ground on New Year's Day in every one of the 10 years from 2016 to 2025 at mid-mountain. Fresh snow fell during 27 December to 2 January in every one of those years.
Does Rusutsu have snow in mid-February?
Rusutsu had at least 2.5 cm (1 in) of snow on the ground on 15 February in every one of the 10 years from 2016 to 2025 at mid-mountain. Fresh snow fell during 10 to 20 February in every one of those years.
Does Rusutsu have snow at Easter?
Rusutsu had at least 2.5 cm (1 in) of snow on the ground on Easter Sunday in every one of the 10 years from 2016 to 2025 at mid-mountain. Fresh snow fell during Good Friday to Easter Monday in 4 of those years.
How many days a year does it snow in Rusutsu?
It snows on about 69 days a year in Rusutsu at mid-mountain, counting days with at least 1 cm of snowfall, averaged over 2016 to 2025. December has the most, about 17 days.
What is the snowiest month in Rusutsu?
January is the snowiest month in Rusutsu, bringing about 24% of the year's snowfall at mid-mountain, based on ERA5 reanalysis data for 2016 to 2025. December has the most snowy days, about 17.
Which recent winter was the snowiest in Rusutsu?
Of the last ten winters in Rusutsu, 2017/18 was the snowiest, about 43% above the ten-year average. The leanest was 2018/19, about 25% below average.
How cold does Rusutsu get in winter?
January is the coldest month in Rusutsu at mid-mountain, with average daily lows of −12 °C (10 °F) and highs of −6 °C (21 °F).
How high is Rusutsu?
The village or lowest lift at Rusutsu is at 400 m (1,300 ft) and the top lift is at 994 m (3,300 ft), a vertical drop of 594 m (1,900 ft).
When does the ski season start in Rusutsu?
The lifts at Rusutsu usually open in late November and close in late March. Exact dates change each year with the snow, so check the resort's own website before you book.
Snow forecasts near Rusutsu
Compare Rusutsu for snow
More ski resorts in Hokkaido
Sources: Wikipedia, Rusutsu Resort airport bus, Rusutsu Resort winter lift tickets, Skiresort.info (Rusutsu)