BDT 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 certifications with their 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.
2015/16 Crew:
Elliot James
Elliot started his professional snow career working as a patroller in New Zealand before heading to Northern India where he spent 3 winters heli ski guiding in the Himalayas before joining the BDT crew in 2013. Now a seasoned Hokkaido veteran Elliot is looking forward to another deep winter.
Qualifications
NZMGA Assistant Ski Guide
Avalanche Operations Level 2 (NZMSC)
Active Member of the Canadian Avalanche Association
Pre-hospital EmergePre-hospital Emergency First Aid Care
Ben Johns
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 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
Mike Roberts
Mike is a New Zealander and for the past 25 years his primary occupation has been Mountain and Ski Guiding in spectacular alpine locations around the globe. His adventures include: skiing peaks in Antarctic Peninsular; skiing from the summit of Muztagh Ata - a 7500m peak in the Chinese Pamir Mountains and skiing deep powder in Gulmarg, northern India.
Qualifications
IFMGA Mountain and Ski Guide
Pre-Hospital Emergency Care
Yuya Kodani
After growing up ski racing on Japan`s main island, Yuya eventually discovered Hokkaido`s powder and traded his racing planks for the longest, widest skis he could find and focussed his attention on freeskiing. After joining BDT in 2008 with limited backcountry experience but a keen willingness to learn, Yuya has developed into an integral part of the BDT crew and now specializes in our multi day trips. Along with knowing where to find Hokkaido`s steepest and deepest lines, Yuya is also particularly good at ordering up some of Japan`s most "special" cuisine.
Back for yet another winter of bottomless snow, you can look forward to hearing Yuya`s classic tag line... "follow me".
Qualifications
Emergency First Aid Safety (40 hour course)
Avalanche Operations Level 1 (Canadian Avalanche Association)
Mitch Potter
Mitch first made his way to Hokkaido back in 2009 and has never looked back. Coming into his 6th Hokkaido winter, Mitch has the island pretty well figured out although always keen to explore new terrain. Mitch will be a key part of making your Hokkaido powder trip an unforgettable experience.
Qualifications
AIARE Level 2
Emergency First Aid
Chris Eckel
Another Alaskan, Chris is back for his second Hokkaido winter looking to get his fill of powder before heading back to Juneau where he`ll spend the Spring guiding with Alaska Powder Descents.
Qualifications
AIARE Level 3
Level 3 Heli-ski Guide
Emergency Medical Technichian
Peter Nave
Pete grew up in Juneau, Alaska so is no stranger to quality skiing. Now onto his 3rd season of skiing pow in Hokkaido with BDT Pete will be with us until the end of February before cutting the winter a bit short and heading back to Haines AK to guide from a helicopter.
Qualifications
Canadian Avalanche Association Operations Level 2
Wilderness EMT
Jim Young
After a lifetime working in the ski industry as a patroller, avalanche forecaster and heli ski guide, Jim is headed to Japan this winter to see how snow conditions compare to New Zealand... we think he`ll be happy with his decision.
Qualifications
NZMGA Assistant Ski Guide
NZMSC Avalanche Stage 2
Pre-hospital Emergency Care
Jakub Doubic
Jakub "aka" the Horse is known amongst the crew for his ridiculous ability to charge up a skin track. A ski instructor turned guide, Jakub is back for his 3rd season with BDT and 4th in Hokkaido. You`ll be happy to have Jakub breaking trail in front of you on your Hokkaido holiday.
Qualifications
80 Hour First Aid Training
ISIA Avalanche Full Certification
Emily Jones
Emily grew up skiing in the Craigeburn range in New Zealand, quickly developing a passion for backcountry skiing. Emily has been working as a professional ski patroller in Queenstown for the past several winters and until now, has spent her spare time ski touring in the Southern Lakes region. As a bonus Emily is fluent in French, Spanish and Kiwi.
Qualifications
Pre-Hospital Emergency Care
NZMSC Stage 1
Clayton Kernaghan
Clayton grew up skiing and snowboarding on the river banks of Edmonton, Alberta and the Rocky Mountain resorts of Jasper and Banff. Working at the local ski hill from the age of 15, he knew he wanted to be part of the ski and snowboard industry for the rest of his life.
In 1996, Clayton had the opportunity to visit Japan for the summer. After seeing firsthand the incredible popularity of snowboarding, his original plan was to bring Japanese snowboarders to Canada for multiple resort tours and backcountry experiences. With very little Japanese ability, no money, and no connections, he failed big time!
After studying Japanese and graduating with a degree in international business from the Universty of Alberta, he headed back to Japan in 1998 to make those connections, and immediately fell in love with the food, culture, and ridiculously deep powder.
While teaching English and gaining a foothold in Japan, Clayton finally had an opportunity to put his 7 years of exploring the resorts and mountains of Hokkaido to use. The rest is history!
Qualifications
Wilderness First Aid (40 hour course)
Avalanche Operations Level 1 (Canadian Avalanche Association)