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

During the winter, heavy snowfall blankets the ski slopes at Rusutsu Resort. By the end of the season, the snow collected by grooming and snow-removal machines totals about 90,000 tons each year.

Much of this snow is currently discharged into nearby streams, but we are exploring ways to repurpose it as a more “useful resource.”

❄️ Turning snow into cooling energy

Technology that stores snow gathered during the winter in “yukimuro” snow cellars and uses it for summer air-conditioning and food preservation is gaining attention.

Several lodging facilities in Hokkaido have already adopted this system, earning praise as a way to keep spaces comfortable while holding down electricity consumption.

At Rusutsu, we are also examining the feasibility of introducing this “snow cooling” approach, which we hope will eventually cut CO₂ emissions and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

🚰 Turning snow into water for practical use

We are also exploring a method in which the collected snow is slowly melted in large basins so the water can be reused for toilet flushing and agricultural irrigation.

We believe this approach will help conserve natural water resources while putting snow—an abundant local asset—to good use without waste.

In addition, we are developing a concept for distributing “functional water,” treated to match specific purposes, throughout the resort.

For instance, by reusing appropriately treated water for air‑conditioning, cleaning, or plant irrigation, we see a new pathway toward realizing a circular‑economy resort.

To advance these sustainable water‑reuse initiatives, we have begun exchanging ideas and assessing technologies with various companies, and we plan to proceed with pilot testing and the design of supporting frameworks.

Carrying nature’s blessings into the future

Snow is more than a simple “winter spectacle”—it holds immense promise as a local resource.

Rather than “discarding snow,” we are now exploring a range of ideas and technologies to “make the most of it.”

By continually harnessing the power of nature, we aim to deliver a resort experience that is comfortable for everyone and connected to the future.

Stay tuned for Rusutsu’s next bold challenge!