Facilities & Services
Rusutsu is a well developed resort with very good services and facilities for those on a ski or snowboard holiday.
Facilities for Children
The Daniel Kindergarten provides child care in either a half day or full day format for kids aged 1-4. Proof of age may be required. The kindergarten runs from 8:45am to 4:30pm but unfortunately they’re closed for lunch from 12:15-1:15pm so you’ll need to leave the chest deep powder on Mt Isola and head back to have lunch with the kids.
Rusutsu Ski School
There are no group ski or snowboard lessons with an English speaking instructor, but they are offered in a private format in 2 or 4 hour blocks. Kids’ lessons start from the age of 4 and prices for a 2 hour lesson start from ¥9,500 for one child (2011 rates).
Rusutsu Ski Hire and Snowboard Rental
The resort hires out ski and snowboard equipment from Salomon and Burton. The prices are not inexpensive but the quality of the equipment is reflective of the rates. A large range of rental clothing is also available, and if you need a full set of head to toe gear, the full package is reasonably economical.
Eating On Mountain
No matter where you’re skiing or boarding at Rusutsu, lunch or snacks are never far away.
Powderhounds hanging out on Mt Isola can head to the Cafeteria Steamboat which is located at the base of the Isola #1 quad chair. It’s a cafeteria in the truest sense so it’s a bit sterile, but it offers a great range of inexpensive Japanese meals. It is also handy for that mid-morning cup of hot chocolate or coffee.
There is also an eatery at the Mt Isola Base Station as well as a large cafeteria at the base of East Mountain, whilst those hanging out on West Mountain have a raft of choices for food at the base area.
Banking Facilities
There is a Seven Bank ATM located within the resort under the stairs to the game world (between the carousel) that accepts cash and credit cards. You could also try the 7-Eleven store.
ATMs in Japan can sometimes be fickle and even if the machine says it accepts Cirrus, sometimes it just doesn't. If you want to be super safe, take cash with you. And remember that Japan is a cash society and many restaurants don't accept plastic fantastic.