Evergreen Backcountry Guides
Guidefrom ¥31,000, about CAD 279 or USD 196 (October 2026 rates)English spokenSeasonal
Evergreen Backcountry Guides runs English-language backcountry tours and avalanche courses from Tsugaike in the Hakuba Valley, and suits strong skiers and splitboarders who want a Canadian-trained guide and a loaned avalanche pack. Group days in the 2026/27 season cost ¥31,000 to ¥35,000 a person, and you supply the touring gear and the lift ticket.
What they offer
| Offering | From | Duration | Months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group backcountry tour: IntroductoryTwice a week in January and February 2027, up to six guests, 250–400 m of climbing on two to three hours of skinning. Riders must be over 16 and ski or ride at an advanced level. | ¥31,000 per person, about CAD 279 or USD 196 (October 2026 rates) | 8:00–15:00, six hours guiding plus an hour for lunch | January–February |
| Group backcountry tour: ExperiencedUp to six guests and 400–600 m of climbing. Evergreen turns away riders new to the backcountry on this tour. | ¥33,000 per person, about CAD 297 or USD 209 (October 2026 rates) | 8:00–15:00 | January–February |
| Group backcountry tour: AdvancedUp to six guests and more than 600 m of climbing. Dates were still to be confirmed in October 2026. | ¥35,000 per person, about CAD 315 or USD 221 (October 2026 rates) | 8:00–15:00 | January–February |
| Private backcountry tourStandard tours meet at 7:50 at the Tsugaike base. Premium tours collect you at 7:15–7:30 and drop you back around 15:00. The price table on the site is an image, so ask for the 2026/27 figure. | – | About 8:00–15:00 | December–March |
| Lift-accessed off-piste tour (private)Premium tours move between Happo-one, Iwatake, Tsugaike, Norikura and Cortina. Open to riders over 12. A Chinese-language version runs too. | – | About 7:50–15:00 | December–March |
| AST 1 + Companion Rescue SkillsNine sessions between 12 December 2026 and 8 March 2027. The 8–10 February session comes with a Mandarin translator for ¥67,500. | ¥59,500 per person, about CAD 535 or USD 376 (October 2026 rates) | 3 days, 8:30–17:30 | December–March |
| AST 2 + Mountain Avalanche TrainingOne session, 26 February to 2 March 2027. | ¥109,500 per person, about CAD 984 or USD 692 (October 2026 rates) | 5 days | February–March |
Group tours leave the Tsugaike base twice a week through January and February 2027 and never take more than six guests. The Introductory day climbs 250 to 400 metres for ¥31,000 a person. Experienced parties climb up to 600 metres for ¥33,000, and the Advanced day goes higher for ¥35,000. Every guest carries a loaned beacon pack and is covered by basic rescue insurance. You pay on top for touring gear and the lift ticket.
Director Dave Enright holds CSGA Level 3 and CAA Level 3 and teaches Avalanche Canada's AST courses himself. The team of 16 guides also includes Stefan Kreuzer, an ACMG Assistant Ski Guide, and two more Level 3 CSGA guides. Evergreen's published roster lists no JMGA qualification. The three-day AST 1 course runs nine times between December 2026 and March 2027 at ¥59,500, and one February session comes with a Mandarin translator.
Worth knowing
- Book rentals online at least two days before a tour or AST course and the code TOURGUEST takes 25% off.
- Premium private tours pick you up from your hotel at about 7:15, which saves the early drive to Tsugaike.
Quick answers about Evergreen Backcountry Guidesよくある質問
Are Evergreen Backcountry Guides certified?
Yes. Three of Evergreen's 16 guides are CSGA Level 3 Full Ski Guides, and Stefan Kreuzer is an ACMG Assistant Ski Guide. The roster Evergreen published in October 2026 names Canadian and American qualifications and no JMGA certificate.
How much does a backcountry tour with Evergreen in Hakuba cost?
A group backcountry day with Evergreen Backcountry Guides costs ¥31,000 to ¥35,000 a person in January and February 2027, depending on the level. Private tour prices sit in an image on Evergreen's site, so ask for the figure when you book.
Can I take an avalanche course in Hakuba in English?
Yes. Evergreen Backcountry Guides runs the three-day AST 1 course in English for ¥59,500 in the 2026/27 season, with nine sessions from December to March.
Is Evergreen Backcountry Guides open out of season?
Evergreen Backcountry Guides: The backcountry office closes from April to November and its phone line rolls over to Evergreen Outdoor Center, which runs summer trips from Hakuba with canyoning and guided mountain biking on the list.
In the journal and guides
