Tour Guides

Andrew grew up skiing and riding in the Canadian Rockies before moving to Japan in 2005 to work with Black Diamond Lodge and develop the company now known as Black Diamond Tours. Having been involved in the backcountry ski industry from an early age, Andrew began professional life working as a product development engineer for G3 Genuine Guide Gear before switching gears to guiding 5 years ago. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Black Diamond crew.

Qualifications
Advanced Wilderness First Responder (80 hour course)
Avalanche Operations Level 1 (Canadian Avalanche Association)

A skier turned snowboarder, Toby grew up in Christchurch riding the mountains of New Zealand before stories of Japan's massive annual snowfalls prompted him to make the move to Hokkaido in 2003. As an English teacher in Sapporo, Toby has spent the last 5 years learning Japanese and exploring everything Hokkaido has to offer. From ski resorts and secret powder stashes to restaurants, bars, onsens and sights, Toby has Hokkaido dialled; making him an invaluable tour guide.

Qualifications
Emergency First Aid Safety (40 hour course)
Avalanche Operations Level 1 (Canadian Avalanche Association)

Growing up in the heart of New Zealand's South Island, Sam developed a passion for the outdoors and a love for the sports of skiing and snowboarding. It was only a natural progression for him to combine the two into his life as much as humanly possible. As a guide with BD Tours, shredding awesome terrain and the epic quantities of snow Hokkaido is known for, Sam has fine tuned his backcountry skills and riding abilities to the highest level. This translates to mean Sam is in a position to read the snow conditions and find you fresh lines, fun times, every time!

Qualifications
Qualified Ski Patrol
Pre-hospital Emergency First Aid
Avalanche Operations Level 1 (Canadian Avalanche Association)

Growing up in Edmonton, Canada Francis did the hard yards getting off the prairies and into the Rockies as often as he could before finally moving out to Vancouver, BC in '99 and calling Canada's Coast Range his home turf. Francis began visiting Hokkaido 10 years ago and has managed to return almost every season since (being married to a flight attendant has its advantages!!) to get his fill of the most consistent powder snow on the planet. Returning for his second season with Black Diamond Tours, Francis is well versed with all of the insider knowledge needed to have an epic day.

Qualifications
Emergency First Aid Safety (BC OFA Level 1)
Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 (Canadian Avalanche Association)