How Much Snow Do We Have? – Let’s Make Better Use of Rusutsu’s Snow!

In winter, Rusutsu Resort gets a huge amount of snowfall. But can you imagine just how much? Over the course of a single season, the total amount of snow at Rusutsu Resort is roughly equivalent to about 24 Tokyo Domes!

This is enough snow to completely fill hundreds of elementary school swimming pools.

We are exploring ways to make use of this abundant snowfall as a “useful resource.” For example, we are considering storing snow to use for summer air conditioning or as agricultural water. In fact, there are already places in other parts of Hokkaido that use snow for cooling or for preserving rice.

At Rusutsu, we also plan to introduce new technologies and systems to harness the power of snow throughout the resort. For example, we are considering creating special storage areas where snow can be kept and later used for air conditioning or watering plants.

Snow Recycling: Sustainable Initiatives Harnessing the Power of Nature

Every year, approximately 98,000 tons of snow fall at Rusutsu Resort—equivalent to roughly 6,000 ten-ton trucks. If we can make effective use of this snow, it could become an environmentally friendly energy resource. Here are some ideas we are currently exploring:

🚰 Melt Snow in Pools to Create Water Resources!

We are considering using large pools to gradually melt snow, using the resulting water for purposes such as toilet flushing or agricultural irrigation. This approach helps us conserve natural water resources while effectively utilizing accumulated snow.

❄️ Turning Snow into Energy! Exploring the Potential of Snow-Based Air Conditioning

This method involves storing snow collected during winter in special storage facilities called “Yukimuro,” then using it for air conditioning and food preservation during the summer. Some accommodation facilities in Hokkaido are already experimenting with this approach. If implemented at Rusutsu Resort, it could reduce fossil fuel consumption, benefiting both the environment and cost efficiency.

From now on, at Rusutsu Resort, we plan to explore various ideas for reusing snow and take on the challenge of putting them into practice. By making the most of nature’s bounty, we aim to create a resort where everyone can enjoy a comfortable stay.