Featured Articles and Awards

Over the years Alpine Backcountry Guides has been featured in numerous awards and articles. Please have a read through the below accolades to learn more about who we are and how we have continued to improve upon our work and operation.

World’s Best Ski Tour Operator to Japan Nominee, 2025

We were lucky enough to of been nominated for the 2025 World Ski Awards as Japan’s best Ski Tour Operator, we are currently in the voting period for this award, which ends on the 10th of October 2025. Your vote would be appreciated in our goals of winning this prestigious award by World Ski Awards. Please hit the link below to go and place your vote for Alpine Backcountry Guides.

Japan’s Best Ski Tour Operator, 2024

After a huge season in 2023/24, we were successfully voted in as Japan best ski tour operator by Ski Asia Magazine. This is a community voted event where the nominees are chosen by a panel on the ski asia team and the awards are decided upon by the community over a three month voting period. We are honoured to have received this award. Learn more and read about the other winners at the link below.

Japan’s Best Ski Tour Operator, 2025

Again after the 2024/25 season, Alpine Backcountry Guides was nominated and then triumphant in the 2025 Ski Asia Awards. We believe our strong client base and valued return customers contributed heavily to our win in the field two winters in a row. We strengthened our operation through building stronger ties in the local community, contributing to the Furano Avalanche Centre, and working towards the continuous improvement of our 40+ year operation.

Meet the guide continuing a 40-year Family legacy in the Central Hokkaido Backcountry

An article by Ski Asia, featuring guide and Managing director, Samuel Morrell. Read more at the link below.

Life of Adventure- John Morrell

An article by Sportsocratic, featuring a conversation with John Morrell, the founder and pioneer of backcountry skiing in Central Hokkaido. Read more at the link below.