Our Guides & Partners
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Japan Ski Tours is stoked to partner with some of Japan's best guide operators who are able to provide world-class guiding services to our guests.
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Team Tohoku
In the Tohoku region, we are stoked to partner with Niseko-based Rising Sun Guides.
Chris Engelhardt
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Chris has been working as a ski guide for most of his professional career. The bulk of this time (~15 years) was at Silverton Mountain in Colorado and at their Alaska heli skiing operation. After meeting Andrew in Alaska in the spring of 2014, Chris made his way to Hokkaido and guided here for the `14-15 season. Unfortunately he wasn`t able to return for the next few years and instead took an avalanche forecasting position at the Eastern Sierra Avalanche center in California for the 2017 – 2021 winter seasons.
Qualifications:
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Kaj Sonnichsen
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Kaj has Norwegian roots but grew up in Australia. He has spent the past two decades working in the ski industry in a variety of positions, starting out as a ski tech and then several seasons as a ski patroller in Norway and New Zealand before he began his guiding career. His passion for ski touring and travel has brought him to a variety of locations, from high altitude descents in the Pamir to longer traverses in remote regions of the Andes and arctic Norway.
These days he spends his winters working as a ski guide and avalanche forecaster; writing the public avalanche bulletins in Norway. Kaj is certified through NORTIND which is Norway’s IFMGA affiliated guide organisation. Qualifications:
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Sam McGrath
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Growing up in Australia, Sam has called Canada home for the last decade. Beginning the guiding program in New Zealand and finishing in Canada, Sam has a sincere passion for ski touring, and has guided and skied all over North America, Norway, and New Zealand. When it comes to skiing and snowboarding, being able to share the experience of the backcountry and facilitating peoples ‘best day ever’, is what keeps him coming back to ski guiding season after season.
Qualifications
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Sven Gorham
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Originally from Australia, Sven`s enjoyment of the mountains took him to New Zealand and then Japan where he has spent the past decade chasing endless winters while working in the ski industry. Sven`s first Hokkaido winter was 2012 and with the exception of the COVID years, he`s been here every year since. Sven joined Rising Sun in 2018 and 2023-24 will be his 4th season with us.
Qualifications
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Adam Cotterell
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Originally from Sunshine Coast, Australia, Adam spent his youth surfing, ocean swimming and scrambling. In 2017, he gave up his science career in medicinal research to start guiding in NZ and has never looked back.
Since then he’s worked as a ski guide in Canada, run climbing & trekking programs in Patagonia and worked as an alpine trekking guide in NZ. Qualifications
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Taro Kinoshita -- Tail Guide / Interpreter
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Born in Tokyo Japan, Taro started skiing when he was 3 and got deep into the ski biz since his father was one of the founders of Scott Japan. Taro made the junior racing ski team and was nominated as the Tokyo representative of the slalom ski team in high school. He took a break from his ski career after high school and went on a musical mission involving 35 countries and and 80 cities. Taro joined back into the ski scene by starting off as a patroller for three years then getting into guiding for three years at the backcountry legend of Hakkoda; Taro brings his extensive experience to us in Iwate.
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Team Hokkaido
In the Hokkaido region, we are stoked to partner with Furano-based Ninja Powder.
Patrick O’Keeffe
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Has been living and Skiing Snowboarding in Hokkaido for 30 years !So has some great terrain and loads of local knowledge of the best kept secrets ! But also guides MTB Kayak Rafting in Hokkaido and through out Asia ! Lives on the stoke.
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Felix Lai
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Felix is all about sharing the stoke and his passion for skiing. He has been exploring Hokkaido’s winter wonderland and building up an extensive library of powder locations since 2013. He has summited all three iconic volcanoes of northern Japan (Asahidake, Rishiri & Yotei). He is a CSIA level 2 ski instructor with snow park qualification. He has training in first aid and avalanche mitigation. Felix is also a photographer and a snow blogger, you can check out his photos, videos and stories on MakeFriendsOnAPowderDay.com. Come share the stoke with him and be part of the Ninja Powder story.
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Andre Cogin
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After years of traveling the world, skiing some amazing locations including Gulmarg and Alaska,Andre decided to turn his passion into a full time job! Not that a day in the mountains ever feels like work. Having attained his CSIA lvl 2 in Whistler, as well as avalanche and first aid training, he continues to improve on his mountain skills. After a successful season working out of Furano last season, he will return as one of our powder ninjas for the 2018 season.
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Ryota Sato
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Is Local Furano Character and some what of a ski Phenom who has spent most of his winters chasing the big lines throughout Hokkaido and elsewhere In Japan with extended trips to Both the US and Canada. Ryota has been guiding in the backcountry since 2013 and has gained a following of clients that been shown to new places and enjoy riding with him and watching what incredible line or jump he will pull out of the hat next even when he is not working as guide his time off is still spent chasing the perfect Japow ! During the the summer months you will find him chasing his other passion Fly fishing throughout Hokkaido. A keen fisherman trying to perfect his craft making all his own flies and lures. Ryota is passionate about the outdoors and the love of nature.
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Mioko Ogata
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Another Hokkaido born Local Small in stature but big in heart . Grew up skiing in and around the Sapporo area and Teine. Mioko has been ski racing all through her educational career starting from primary school all the way through college. Has gained so much experience during her time in winter working ski patrol at several resorts for a lot of seasons and in her off time chasing the best powder in the back country with friend and fellow guides. Her knowledge for snow and terrain are second to none with her super bright personality makes Mioko one of our clients favourite guides.
During the off season from winter you will find Mioko working as a river guide Kayak/Raft throughout Japan chasing the adrenaline dream and all the love of nature that goes with it.
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Rena Fujisawa
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Hokkaido born and bred Rena has grown up skiing through the winters of Hokkaido. Always was athletic going to sports Academic University here in Hokkaido and on graduating deciding her career was guiding in the outdoors. With a few winter seasons under her belt working and training with senior guides Rena is making a name for her self in the industry. Always with a smile on her face and willing to help with any situation its no wonder Rena is another clients favourite .
Summer months like Mioko ,Rena is a river guide here in Hokkaido hoping to expand her skill set and improve on all her guiding skills.
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Operations Team
Brent Potter
Director of Tohoku and Hokkaido Operations
Born and raised in Japan, Brent spent his younger years on Japan's northern most island Hokkaido, the capital of Japow. After graduating high school and departing Japan, Brent spent two years attending an outdoor guiding school in Canada and later took up residence in Denver, Colorado. Fast forward 10 years and he's now back in his old stomping grounds, shredding the gnar gnar. Brent has been a key member of Japan Ski Tours and his humorous stories and epic mountain poses have led to many foreigners leaving Japan with great memories.
Certifications
Certifications
- Avalanche Operations Level 1, Canadian Avalanche Association
- Search and Rescue Rope Rescue Team Member
- 2 years Guiding and Operating Skills training
- Technical Training - High Altitude Crevasse, Rope and Rescue Training
