Guides
Guides have been chosen for their dedication, professionalism and attention to client care and satisfaction. Together they bring a collective experience gained from years working for guiding operations in Japan and abroad. They are certified through their individual country’s guiding associations as ski guides, or full mountain guides IFMGA/UIAGM.
Michal Sekelský
Country: Slovakia
Qualifications and Memberships: IFMGA Mountain and Ski guide, Slovak Avalanche and Mountain rescue Association
Languages: English, German, Russian, Slovak
Countries guided: Slovakia, France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Russia, Nepal, Japan
Michal has been guiding in Verbier for ten years. Prior to that, he worked in the Slovak Mountain Rescue team as an avalanche expert. Before his career in the mountains, he was an athlete for the Slovak Freeride Team and took part in freeride competitions. He enjoys guiding in Japan because it is some of the best powder he has ever skied.
Federico Verengo
Country: Italy
Qualifications and Memberships: Mountain and Ski guide (IFMGA / UIAGM)
Languages: English, Italian
Countries guided: Italy, France, New Zealand, Japan
Fede grew up in a small village in the Alps, climbing, running and skiing. Since his IFMGA qualification in 2008 he has worked as a guide every summer and winter, first around the Alps, and then seasons in NZ, Japan and Canada. His favorite part of skiing Japan is the ‘deep!’
Chuck Olbery
Country: Australia
Qualifications and Memberships: NZMGA Ski guide, Canada Avalanche Association, Japan Avalanche Network
Languages: Japanese
Countries guided: Canada, New Zealand, America, Norway, Russia, Greenland
Chuck has been guiding in Hokkaido for fourteen years. Prior to that he worked for seven seasons heli ski guiding in New Zealand and four seasons in Canada. His home base is Furano in Central Hokkaido which he identified as an ideal location to base the ski guiding operation. He rates the snow here as some of the deepest he has skied.
Will Carlton
Country: USA
Qualifications and Memberships: AMGA Apprentice Ski and Alpine guide, American Avalanche Association
Languages: English
Countries Guided: United States, Japan
Having chased powder all over the Western US, Canada and Europe, Will is returning to Hokkaido for his fourth winter. Like most skiers, he first came for the powder but returns for the culture, amazing food and friendly people.