About

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 and Backcountry Ski Hire Japan with his Canadian born wife Lucy.

John’s first son, Samuel, 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, along with fellow Guide Kaspar Ree. 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 2025, 41 years since John ran his first guided tours in Japan.

Meet The Guides

John Morrell- Founder

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- Ski Guide, Company Director

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 holds his NZ ARM lvl 5 (avalanche risk management), Alpine ski instructing, Alpine ropes, Wilderness first aid, Advanced remote area first aid, Certificate 2 in Cross country guiding.

Kaspar Ree- Ski Guide, Company Director

Kaspar is a highly seasoned outdoor professional with a longstanding passion for skiing. He has travelled the world with a pair of skis since his adolescence and has spent multiple seasons working as a backcountry guide during the colder months in the northern hemisphere and as a professional ski patroller in the southern hemisphere. His credentials include: NZ ARM lvl 5 (avalanche risk management), Cert II medical service first response, Advanced Remote area first aid, Wilderness first aid, Certificate IV in Alpine Guiding, Alpine ski Instructing, Rope access.

Tim Macartney-Snape- Ski Guide, Mountaineer

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.

Alexandra Liss- Ski Guide

Murray Toy- Splitboard Guide, Ski Technician

Murray has worked in the ski industry since he finished high school, spending multiple years in Alberta and British Columbia, Canada. Murray guides in both Australia and Japan and has a diverse set of skills on split-board, skis, cross country skis, telemark skis and even snow shoes. Murray has a number of relevant qualifications including NZ ARM lvl 5 (avalanche risk management), Certificate IV in Alpine guiding, Alpine ropes, and Wilderness first aid.

Brady Hayes- Ski Guide

Brady has a wealth of experience guiding people into new and wild places. He has worked numerous seasons as a backcountry guide in both Japan and Australia. Brady is also an experienced rock climbing, canyoneering and mountain bike guide. Brady’s qualifications include Wilderness First Aid, CAA Avalanche operations level 1, Cert IV in outdoor leadership, multi pitch rock and canyon guide, PMBI level 1 Mountain bike instructor.

Trevor Staats- Ski Guide

Trevor has been a backcountry skier for over 40 years and is still obsessed with snow, skiing and mountains!  He’s a keen telemark skier and loves nothing better than to find those untouched powder glades to enjoy in the Hokkaido backcountry.  He has been guiding in Hokkaido for 8 years and is always exploring for new locations and lines to share with ABG clients. His qualifications include: APSI Telemark Instructor, Certificate IV Alpine Guiding, AST 1, Wilderness First Aid & CPR, Alpine Adventurous Activities Instructor, Member of National Training Team – Scouts Australia

Tim Priest- Splitboard Guide

Tim priest is a long time resident of Australia’s snowy mountains, spending over 25 years in the backcountry of the Australian Main Range. Tim has been riding in Hokkaido since 2000, exploring the backcountry and resort options in both the Niseko and Furano area’s. He has worked as a winter guide leading individual groups and film crews for many years into the Aussie backcountry and is coming up on his 3rd winter of professional guiding in Hokkaido. Tim found his love for mountains first in 1988 while exploring the Himalaya, Karakorum and Sikkim ranges in central Asia. His qualifications include Bachelor of science, Diploma in Education, AST 2 and Senior first Aid/CPR.