One of the great things about Niseko is that within an hour’s drive are several other magnificent ski resorts. Magnificent skiing wise, however until now, not so much on the accommodation and facilities front.
That is all changing with new modern chalets and condos now starting to be built as the action in Niseko expands out.
So it was with great anticipation that we packed up the family in January and headed to The Vale Rusutsu to be one of the first-ever guests to stay at the first modern condo to be built at Rusutsu Resort – an all-seasons ski and golf resort about 30-minutes’ drive from Hirafu.
The skiing here is truly epic – and we’re not just saying that. Almost every skier or snowboarder who has skied Niseko for a holiday or two before venturing across to Rusutsu on a deep powder day declares that they had the best day’s skiing of their lives here. There are generally fewer people heading off piste at Rusutsu and with a vast series or ridges and gullies and only the one accommodation base, there are fresh tracks to be had all day long following a big dump.
Until The Vale Rusutsu was built there was only a handful of higher-end chalets to stay at in Rusutsu
Other than that there is only old 1980s hotels and pension-style accommodation. This is perfect for hardcore Japanese and foreign ski travellers who are simply there to ski morning, noon and night and grab a taste of old-world Japanese ski culture. But for those of us who don’t mind a little modern creature comfort, there was definitely room for more options.
Introducing The Vale Rusutsu
The Vale Rusutsu was developed by Nisade, one of Niseko’s pioneering modern-era property developers. It takes its name from one of Niseko’s first high-end ski-in/ski-out condos, The Vale Niseko, which Nisade opened in 2009 at the peak of Niseko’s ascension to stardom.
Once again Nisade is taking a leading role in the expansion of modern Japanese ski tourism. The Vale Rusutsu is built alongside and connected via indoor walkway to the resort’s centrepiece property, the wonderfully quirky 80s-era Rusutsu Resort Hotel. This hotel epitomises the decadence of the late-20th century Japanese economic bubble, when large domestic corporations borrowed exorbitant amounts of money to develop over-the-top tourism enterprises the length and breadth of the country – and by and large went on to become white elephants following the subsequent economic collapse.
The Rusutsu Resort Hotel survived and now makes a perfect old-meets-new companion to The Vale Rusutsu. It is full of restaurants, bars, shops, services, a monorail, amusement rides and even a wave pool complete with a surprisingly long water slide that snakes and weaves from the fourth floor in and outside the building and down into the wave pool at ground level. Out of this world, and a genuine highlight for kids when it’s time for something to do off the slopes.
(In summer there’s even an amusement park with rollercoasters and waterslide park, along with golf courses – but that’s a whole different story).
Let’s take a look inside
The Vale Rusutsu comprises 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments in a variety of configurations and enjoying different aspects, as well as 4-bedroom penthouses with 360 degree views. Nisade hosted us in a 3-bedroom Deluxe Residence apartment with Mountain View aspect one floor below the penthouse.
After touching our key card on the sensor pad and opening the heavy front door, a feeling of elegance and space welcomed us into our apartment. At 160sqm it is truly expansive, with a vast living area, spacious bedrooms with ample wardrobe space including walk-in in the master bedroom, and huge bathrooms.
Floor-to-ceiling windows throughout allow you to take in the unique Hokkaido winter setting. Meanwhile the build-quality exemplifies Japanese construction and craftsmanship – the solid building and warm interiors provide that unique feeling of being sheltered in a cold environment.
The warm interior palette compliments clean, modern lines throughout. Naturally inspired textures bring a sense of alpine luxury that matches the Hokkaido setting – a signature of the Nisade brand.
Location and facilities
Rusutsu Resort is split by a main road, with ski slopes on either side – two peaks Mt Isola and East Mountain forming the main ski zones on one side, with the smaller West Mountain along with The Vale Rusutsu and Rusutsu Resort Hotel on the other. A gondola connects the two sides.
As previously mentioned, there is a long indoor walkway connecting The Vale Rusutsu to the hotel and all its facilities. Along this route and in between the two properties is a fantastic modern onsen (hot spring) bathhouse that is free for guests to use.
Onsen bathing is one of the unique experiences that makes Japanese ski holidays so special
Having an onsen in-house makes it easy to duck down for a quick soak in the morning, afternoon or evening.
There is a café on the ground floor of The Vale Rusutsu along with ski lockers and a lovely lobby to relax in. There are several restaurants in the hotel and outside within walking distance, along with a convenience store that stocks most groceries and alcohol one might need – including Dom Perignon, in line with the upmarket accommodation.
Final Verdict
The Vale Rusutsu at last opens up this Niseko neighbor as one of the few resorts in Japan where you can stay in modern comfort. Previously the Rusutsu experience was a day-trip from Niseko before returning to your nice digs back there. Now it’s much easier and more comfortable to stay for a week or more and truly discover this multi-faceted resort. And you can always duck across to Niseko for a day or two’s skiing as well.