If you are a car enthusiast visiting Hokkaido in winter, Rusutsu offers something beyond skiing and snowboarding: a dedicated Snow Drifting experience on a controlled snow-covered course.

Located at Rusutsu Resort, this activity allows visitors to experience professional snow drifting techniques, either as a passenger or from the driver's seat with an instructor.

Official Rusutsu Snow Drifting information

What Is Snow Driving at Rusutsu?

Rusutsu's Snow Drifting experience is designed specifically for driving on snow and ice.

Instead of experiencing drifting on public roads, participants use a dedicated course at River Wood Car Parking, where professional instructors demonstrate and teach snow driving techniques in a controlled environment. The resort describes it as a way to experience dynamic snow driving while learning how to drive safely on snowy roads.

For driving enthusiasts, it is a rare opportunity to experience a car behaving on a snow-covered surface without taking those risks onto public roads.

Rusutsu Snow Drifting Experiences

There are several ways to experience snow driving at Rusutsu.

Ride Along Experience

Want to experience snow drifting without driving yourself? The instructor takes the wheel while you ride in a Subaru B4 and experience a four-minute drift session around the icy course. For the 2026–27 season, prices start from ¥11,000 per person for groups of six or more, or ¥17,000 per person for one- or two-person groups.

Ride Along – Nissan GT-R

For something more special, the GT-R version offers a four-minute passenger ride in a Nissan GT-R, driven by an instructor. The price is ¥27,000 per person, with up to three participants able to take turns in the passenger seat during one time slot.

Ride Along – Toyota GR Yaris

The GR Yaris version is another highlight for JDM and performance-car fans. Like the GT-R experience, the instructor drives while participants experience a four-minute snow drift session from the passenger seat. The price is ¥27,000 per person.

Introduction Course

If you want more than a passenger experience, the Introduction Course lets you take the driver's seat and learn snow drifting techniques with an instructor. The 2026–27 price is ¥31,000 per driver, with a 30-minute experience.

Driving Course

For drivers who want a more intensive experience, the Driving Course provides approximately 1 hour 15 minutes of instruction. The instructor adjusts the lesson according to your driving experience and selects a suitable vehicle from options including an Impreza, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Subaru B4 or Porsche Boxster. The driver's-seat participation fee is ¥61,000 per person.

2026–27 Snow Driving Season

According to Rusutsu Resort, the Snow Drifting activities are scheduled for late December 2026 through late February 2027. The activities operate at River Wood Car Parking, with several sessions available throughout the day depending on the course.

Participants in the driving courses must present a valid driver's licence, and the resort requires participants to be at least 140 cm tall. Alcohol consumption is also prohibited before participation, with an alcohol check conducted at the venue.

Getting to Rusutsu by Rental Car

Rusutsu Resort is approximately 90 minutes by car from New Chitose Airport and around 90 minutes from Sapporo, according to the resort's official access information. For visitors planning a winter road trip, renting a suitable vehicle is a convenient way to include Rusutsu in a wider Hokkaido itinerary. When searching for a Hokkaido car rental, consider a vehicle equipped with winter tires and suitable for winter road conditions.

Make Rusutsu Part of Your Hokkaido Driving Experience

Rusutsu is already one of Hokkaido's best-known winter destinations, but its Snow Drifting experience adds another reason for car enthusiasts to visit. Whether you simply want to sit beside a professional driver in a GR Yaris or GT-R, or you want to take the wheel and learn snow drifting yourself, Rusutsu offers a unique winter driving experience in a controlled environment.

Planning a winter self-drive trip? Choose your Hokkaido car rental and add Rusutsu Snow Drifting to your itinerary.

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