Backcountry Exploration in Central Hokkaido since 1981

Welcome to Alpine Backcountry Guides. We are your one stop shop for all things backcountry in the Central Hokkaido region of Japan’s northernmost Island. With over 40 years of experience guiding in the area, and a team of professional, formally trained guides, you can rest easy knowing you will be in safe hands.

Bookings open for 2026

We have released our new dates for the 2026 winter season in Hokkaido, bookings will fill fast so please reach out to discuss your options for getting deep into the Hokkaido backcountry.

Something for everyone

We believe we have a little something for everyone with our range of tours, we cater to all levels of touring experience in the backcountry and always include skill development as a crucial part of our trips.

Most importantly, we try and cater different tours to different levels of experience. You will see we offer some Progression and Advanced versions of a few tours, this way we can achieve the best results for every client who chooses to travel with us.

If you are confused about which tour works best for you, feel free to reach out to discuss your options, or read more about our grading.

See you in Japan!

A word from our founder, John Morrell

John Morrell, at Tomamu.

John Morrell, at Tomamu.

I have been lucky to have had a career ski guiding in central Hokkaido since 1984 and have been skiing backcountry and resort here since 1981.

My guides and I still enjoy sharing our best spots in the backcountry, but these days you'll find me supplying you with equipment from through Alpine Backcountry Rental, located in our lodge in Tomamu.

Contact us with your dates and ideas so we can tailor a trip or come see us when you're in Tomamu to talk about guided day trips.

If there is one word that sums up central Hokkaido’s most important feature it is this; consistency. Many places in the world and throughout Japan have great powder snow.  What sets central Hokkaido apart from the pack though, is that the odds here favour deep, light, soft, powder snow. Powder snow is the norm here.

That is why we have skiers coming year after year, certain in the knowledge that their best chance of deep powder is in central Hokkaido. It's coupled with our 40 years of experience and knowledge of putting people onto the world’s best lines, season after season.

Whether you are looking at resort or backcountry or combinations of both, we can advise you or guide you on your adventures. I look forward to you joining us for some great powder skiing and a great cultural experience in central Hokkaido. 

John Morrell
Tomamu

Alpine BAckcountry Guides are proud winners of Ski Asia’s community voted award for best ski tour operator, Japan.

Have you had an unforgettable experience touring with us recently? If so we encourage you to submit your vote for the 2025 Ski Asia Awards at the link below.

Alpine Backcountry Rental

Please refer to our Dedicated website for rental options at Alpine Backcountry Rental

  • High quality Alpine Touring skis (Tech and Frame options)

  • Skins/ Snow shoes

  • Telescopic poles

  • Ski and Boot Crampons, Ice Axe

  • Alpine Touring Rental Boots

  • Beacon/Shovel/Probe/Backpacks

  • Avalanche Air Bags (electric)

View fullsize Here’s a few more from founder John Morrell’s vault. Leather boots, skinny skis and loads of fluffy fluffy snow. 1) John Morrel, Ashi Betsu Dake summit, Yubari Range, 1987 2) Telemarking the Tokachi Volcano 1987 3) Pioneer backcountry
View fullsize A fun filled couple of week’s spent in New Zealand’s southern alps. Sporadic snowy weather mixed with some spicy avalanche conditions limited our ability to get into the big mountains safely, nonetheless we managed to make the most of som
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View fullsize 2024 marks 40 years of operation in Hokkaido for Alpine Backcountry Guides. Our founder John Morrell stumbled upon the amazing skiing potential of the Daisetsuzan National Park and had a surprisingly challenging time trying to convince folks back hom
View fullsize The Tomamu Explorer Tour… A true backcountry ski trip, the Tomamu explorer allows skiers and splitboarders alike to enjoy an uninterrupted 7 days/ 6 nights in some of the last remaining untouched wilderness of Hokkaido. This trip will be base
View fullsize Day tours are open!! We are now open for day tour bookings in the 2024/25 winter season. If you and your riding crew are ready to lock down some fresh turns amongst the silver birch with Hokkaido’s best backcountry operation then don’t
View fullsize Ski the volcanos of central Hokkaido with our “Asahidake and the Tokachi mountains” tour. The heart and soul of backcountry skiing in Hokkaido, the Daisetsuzan national park delivers a playground like no other to experience deep, steep
View fullsize Introducing The “Tim” Tour. For more than 25 years @timmacartneysnape has revelled in skiing the wild, untrammelled backcountry terrain of central Hokkaido. He loves to explore and he loves to put his considerable experience into finding
View fullsize Come and ride with Japans number 1 voted best ski tour operator. New tours have just dropped for the 2025 season! Follow the link in our bio to find out more.
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View fullsize These are some photos from our Split board road trip taken in early February. The tour consists of 7 nights and 8 days of chasing the best conditions that central Hokkaido has on offer. You will be treated to luxury accommodation, amazing traditional