Backcountry Ski Hokkaido history

Alpine Backcountry Guides, originally known as “Journey into Japan” was founded by Australian adventurer John Morrell. John has had a passion for adventure since he was a child and a passion for Japan since 1981, when he first explored Hokkaido. His first trip to Hokkaido was meant to be a side trip while on his way to ski in Canada.

John didn't get to Canada for another 10 years! Most of that time he spent exploring Japan's culture and its wild areas, studying Japanese and running ski tours to his secret powder stashes. During this time he managed a rare telemark ski descent of icy Mt. Fuji (3775 M) amongst other adventures.

John is first and foremost a skier and cyclist and he finds Japan can truly sate these two passions. The powder in Hokkaido has been said to be the best in the world. The best way to test that is for you to come and try it yourself. The cycling is superb, with hot mix bitumen roads and in most places chosen for our bike tours, very little traffic.

Our Philosophy

The Journey into Japan philosophy is centrally about discovery. This discovery can be cultural or adventure based. With this in mind, western hotels are mostly avoided (except where essential at airport stopovers and some rural locations), and the tours take you away from the crowds to remote corners of Japan. Accommodation is in Japanese Inns and Japanese food, at it's finest, is standard fare. Physical participation amongst exotic communities helps to open doors and to reduce barriers to communication. It also makes you feel good! You will be challenged and delighted at how this approach can help you to truly experience the essence of Japan.

Alpine Backcountry today

John's adventures over the years have taken him to the flanks of Mt. Mckinley, the full Haute Route in Europe, cycle touring in New Zealand and of course many adventures in his home country of Australia. His passion though is for Japan and the myriad elements that combine to make a superb adventure experience. John now runs Alpine Backcountry Lodge Tomamu with his Canadian born wife Lucy.

John’s first son, Samuel Morrell, after being brought up in the world of Japanese powder skiing, ramen, onsens and backcountry touring has recently taken over as head of operations at Alpine Backcountry Guides. Thus giving John more time to enjoy the fruits of the Japanese backcountry. You will most likely find John on the flank of some discreet mountain range near furano or tomamu, or assisting on some of our guided tours such as the Tomamu explorer.

The Morrell family looks forward to welcoming guests into Japan again in 2024, 40 years since John ran his first guided tours in Japan.


Meet The Guides

John Morrell

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Unmatched experience guiding & skiing in central Hokkaido since 1981. John pioneered commercial backcountry guiding in Hokkaido for foreign skiers in 1984 and has been a leader in the field ever since. He has worked and qualified as a nordic and telemark instructor, backcountry ski guide, cycle tour leader, rafting and canoeing guide and outdoor leadership trainer (Australian Training Packages).


Samuel Morrell

The son of Alpine Backcountry founder and pioneer John Morrell, Samuel has been ski touring in the central Hokkaido region since he was 12 years old, and working as a guide since he was 16. Samuel now operates on a season to season basis as a Pro Ski Patroller for Perisher resort in the southern winter and an Alpine guide in the northern winter. He is qualified in Alpine ski instructing, Alpine Rope access, wilderness first aid, advanced first aid, AST avalanche safety and cross country guiding.


Kaspar Ree

An avid Skiier, Climber, Highliner, and general outdoorsman. Kaspar Ree has lived his life surrounded by snowy landscapes and giant granite boulders and as such has a natural affliction to the outdoors and to guiding others. Kaspar has worked multiple seasons as a Pro Patroller for Perisher resort in Australia and as an Alpine guide in Central Hokkaido, Japan. He is qualified in advanced first aid, Alpine ski Instructing, Rope access and AST avalanche safety.


Tim McCartney Snape

Tim Macartney-Snape is a long time enjoyer of Japans central Hokkaido region and has worked alongside Alpine Backcountry and John Morrell for many years as both a friend and colleague. Tim’s list of accomplishments is far too large to count, with his most notable being his ascent of Mount Everest as the first Australian to ever reach the summit, doing it without supplemental Oxygen. Tim has spent his life climbing and mountaineering all over the world, and is extremely passionate about his backcountry skiing.


Murray Toy

Murray will be joining the team this year as our trainee guide and ski and snowboard technician. Murray has worked in the ski industry since he finished high school spending multiple years is Alberta, Canada. He is extremely confident in the alpine backcountry environment and is well known for his skill on split-board, skis, cross country skis, telemark skis and even snow shoes.

Murray has a number of relevant qualifications including Certificate IV in Alpine guiding, Alpine ropes, Wilderness first aid and AST avalanche safety.