Ski and ride Rusutsu, voted Japan's Best Ski Resort at the 2025 World Ski Awards, then see Tokyo. Rusutsu spreads across three interconnected mountains with 37 trails, 18 lifts and lift-accessed tree skiing, and it averages about 14 meters of light, dry Hokkaido powder a season. It's also a lot quieter than Niseko. Last February we rarely waited more than a couple of minutes for a lift, and the longest line we hit was 5 to 10 minutes for first tracks on a powder morning. We stay 4 nights at the Westin Rusutsu in two-floor condos, with Tokyo on both ends: 2 nights in Ginza going in to shake off the jet lag and 1 on the way home. Your host has run this exact trip before and handles the logistics, so you just ski.

Sun Jan 17: Arrive in Tokyo, check in at the Royal Park Hotel Ginza 6 (or comparable), easy first nigh

Mon Jan 18: Explore Tokyo on your own. We'll make recommendations and help you plan your day. We're also working on reservations at a 2-Michelin-star chef's omakase: 22 courses with sake and wine pairings, about $111 per person (optional, space permitting

Tue Jan 19: Morning flight Tokyo to New Chitose, airport bus to Rusutsu (about 2 hours), check in at the Westin, ski the afternoon on the mountain!

Wed Jan 20- Fri Jan 22

Ski/ride one of the top resorts in Japan and experience the best powder skiing in the world!

Sat Jan 23: Morning runs, bus to New Chitose, fly back to Tokyo

Sun Jan 24: Fly home from Tokyo