It’s no secret that Japan has become a very popular ski destination. Europeans, North Americans, and a lot of Australians head to the country every winter in seek of the legendary “Japow”, and several resorts now appear on passes like the Ikon or Epic making it even easier to justify a trip. Unfortunately the growing popularity is really starting to show.
This clip was captured at Rusutsu Resort in Hokkaido, a resort featured on the Epic Pass. It was captured on a Saturday on what looks like a powder day and was probably shot early in the morning, so understand that there’s a good chance this was the worst it was throughout the day. Additionally this was apparently shot on a day where high winds closed a lot of chairlifts and nearby ski areas. So while these are some of the scariest lift lines we’ve ever seen caught on camera, know that this is absolutely not every day at Rusutsu.
If you’re hoping to book a trip to Japan knowing that you won’t encounter long lines, consider heading to one of many resorts that are a bit lesser known. If you stay in Asahikawa, for example, there are dozens of ski resorts within a short drive that get nowhere near the same crowds as the bigger resorts. Make sure you do your research and don’t just go somewhere because that’s where everyone else goes.
