Tour Guides

Our first priority is always your safety which is why all of our Guides are all highly trained in avalanche risk management, backcountry travel and first aid. All of our guides are involved in ongoing professional training and maintain their certifications with the respective associations. Safety always comes first but it is important to remember that there does exist inherent risks in backcountry travel meaning that anytime we leave the ski area boundary, we require all of our clients to be equipped with a full kit of avalanche safety equipment (transceiver, shovel & probe) and ask that any instructions given by our guides are explicitly followed to mitigate risk and ensure an epic powder day.

Each of our guides brings something a little different to the crew but one thing is for sure, they all share a passion for the mountains and and have an intimate knowledge of Hokkaido's best powder lines. We meet daily to discuss current conditions at each area, monitor the weather and adjust the schedule to make sure you are headed to the best snow each and every day. That said, meet our experienced, professional guides:

Toby Washer

Multi-Day Tour Guide

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 spent several 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. Returning for his fourth season with Black Diamond, Toby is an invaluable tour guide specializing in our multi day adventures exploring Hokkaido's hidden gems.

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

Jean-Sebastien L'Heureux

Lead Backcountry Guide

Exploring the world through sport is J-S's life concept. He started skiing competitevely at the age of 12 on the icy hills of Quebec before heading west for bigger mountains and deeper snow. In the late 90´s, skiing was revolutionised and JS was amongst the first to trade his slalom skis for a pair of twin-tips and joined the freeskiing movement that we now know. Working every night to ski every day is what J-S did for 7 years in Whistler B.C. in order to learn about the mountains. His passion and travels lead him to studies in Adventure Tourism at Thompson Rivers University, and he now works as an outdoor guide all year round. Returning to BD Tours for his second season of Hokkaido pow, JS brings French Canadian stoke tempered with big mountain BC experience back to Japan for the 2011-12 winter.

Qualifications
Wilderness First Aid (80 hour course)
Avalanche Operations Level 1 (Canadian Avalanche Association)
Canadian Avalanche Association AST Level 1 Instructorct
Canadian Ski Instructor Alliance (CSIA) Level 3 / Freeride Coach
Thompson Rivers University Adventure Guide Graduate

Colin Boyd

Lead Backcountry Guide

Colin Boyd has been strapped to a board most of his life. After growing up in the Northeast of the United States, Colin picked up the urge to travel at a young age and has spent most if not all of his free time on the road. This has taken him on multiple trips around North America, New Zealand and now the Land of the Rising Sun. His competitive snowboard background and experience working with Burton Snowboards has enabled him to move fluidly around the globe working as a private snowboard coach, R&D Product Tester, Marketing Coordinator, Event Manager and with other guiding outfits such as FreerideNZ. Over the course of a 2 month freeriding stint in Hokkaido during the '09-10 winter, Colin hooked up with BD and soaked up knowledge of every nook and cranny of the island and is now coming back as a full time guide for the '10-11 winter.

Qualifications:

Wilderness First Responder (80 hour course)
Avalanche Operations Level 1 (Canadian Avalanche Association)
Saint Michael's College Wilderness Course

Ben Johns

Lead Backcountry Guide

Fortunate enough to be born and raised in Banff, Alberta in the heart of the Canadian Rockies Ben has been on skis for almost his entire life. Ever since his introduction to ski mountaineering at the age of 8, it has been his passion. As an avid climber and skier he has accomplished numerous technical ski descents throughout North America in the Yukon, Alaska, Nepal, South America, New Zealand and even Mexico. After graduating from Thompsons Rivers University in 2004 with a diploma in Adventure Tourism Ben became a member of the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and works back to back winters ski guiding all over the world. This will be Bens second trip to the land of the rising sun and he's stoked be back riding the deepest, driest snow on the planet.

Qualifications
ACMG Assistant Ski Guide
Avalanche Operations Level 1 (Canadian Avalanche Association)
Thompson Rivers University Adventure Guide Graduate
Certified EMT (Alberta College of Paramedics) Graduate
Professional Rope Access Supervisor

Andrew Spragg

Manager/Head Guide

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 his early days, Andrew began professional life working as a product development engineer for G3 Genuine Guide Gear before switching gears to guiding 7 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)

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