hakuba backcountry tours

Hakuba Backcountry Guiding

Backcountry Guiding Tours in Hakuba

We are extremely excited to be offering backcountry guiding from this winter through our affiliate company Northern Heights Guiding. We work extremely closely with Northern Heights Guiding and can therefore give them our full endorsement as an excellent guiding service in Hakuba.


Who are Northern Heights Guiding?

Northern Heights Guiding is owned and operated by James Robb – a Canadian ski guide who has made Hakuba home for the last 16 years. Having been at the helm of another larger guiding operation in the village for the last 14 years, he opted to scale back on the pace and volume of work, and focus instead on private guiding experiences in and around the Hakuba Valley.


Why book with Northern Heights Guiding over other backcountry operators?

As far as points of difference go – we have a few. First and foremost, there are very few professional ski guides that have been guiding in these mountains as long as James has. Extensive guiding experience and intimate knowledge of these mountains gives the following advantages:

  • Safety. Our top priority every single day. Guiding experience, extensive knowledge of the terrain, the snowpack, the weather patterns typical in the area, fluent Japanese language ability, and the ability to coo-ordinate with local authorities.
  • Best conditions. Knowing the mountains as well as James does gives you the best opportunity to find the best conditions on any given day. When the conditions have not cooperated or the best slops appear to be tracked out – James knows where the secret pockets are and where to find the best snow available.
  • Qualified. Though this may seem obvious, there are many offerings available in which the ‘guide’ is not qualified. Aside from the obvious – and serious – safety implications of this, do remember that most travel insurance companies will not cover you unless you are with a qualified guide.
  • First Aid trained and practised within a wilderness environment. Linking back to safety – James continually refreshes his training to be current in First Aid and rescue practises.


Click here for more information and to secure your guide.


“Best days out EVER!

I’ve been skiing the backcountry of Hakuba with James for 10 years now. He is my definitely my guide of choice for a safe and fun day skiing. His deep local knowledge of the terrain and astute study of the weather and snowpack mean that we get the best days out possible. James’s extensive experience in the backcountry and his technical mountaineering skills always gives me and my family a sense of comfort knowing we are in good hands when we are far from civilisation. I cannot recommend highly enough a day in the backcountry with James.”Chris Scott, Australia

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