
This is Who We Are
At Niseko Zen, we believe our team is our greatest asset. With a strong and happy team, we know our guests can make the most of their time, whether being guided or instructed in Niseko or exploring Hokkaido.
To create a memorable experience, it all starts with great people. Of course, professionalism is key, but it takes more than just skill
-it takes personality and passion.
Our team is made up of incredible individuals from all over the world, each bringing something unique to the table.
Niseko Zen is a small, tight-knit group of mountain lovers committed to sharing their passion and knowledge.
We're here because it’s one of the most epic places to live and work. With a passionate crew, we strive to welcome all groups and craft the perfect winter holiday experience tailored to each group.
Whether you're looking for a guide to help you navigate the backcountry, a ski or snowboard instructor to show you the ropes
or a fully custom trip across Hokkaido, we’ve got you covered.
Saki Hayashi
CEO
Canadian Avalanche Association Operations level 1
Wilderness First Responder (80hours)
Languages: English, Japanese


Torin Barnes
Operations Manager
Pre Hospital Emergency Care
​New Zealand Certificate in Avalanche Risk Management
(Level 6)​​
Canadian Avalanche Association Level 2 equivalent​​​
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Languages: English
Julian De Giusto
Operation Coordinator & HR
AADIDESS Ski instructor level 2
American Institute for Avalanche Research & Education Avalanche Pro 1
Equivalent ASC2 (Peter Billous)
Wilderness First Responder (80hours)
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Languages: English, Spanish


James Oertli
Marketing Manager/ Photographer
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Year round Hokkaido local
American Institute for Avalanche Research & Education Avalanche Pro 1
Languages: English, French, Italian, Swiss-German
Ayu Setogawa
Local Guide & Snowboard Instructor
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Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors level 1
Avalanche Skills Training 1
Resort Powder Specialist
Languages: English, Japanese


Facundo Galleano
Backcountry Guide & Ski Instructor
AADIDESS Ski Instructor level 1
Ski Patrol level 2 (Argentina & France certifications)
Ski Patrol Instructor EASP (Argentina School of on slope safety)
First Aid Instructor (France)
Recco System Operator
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Languages: English, Spanigh, Italian, Catalan, French
Diego Allolio
Safety Management Support
Backcountry Guide & Ski Instructor
Professional Ski Instructors of America - Telemark Instructor Level 2
American Institute for Avalanche Research & Education -Instructor Trainer
American Institute for Avalanche Research & Education 1 & 2 Avalanche Course Leader
American Institute for Avalanche Research & Education PRO level 3
Professional Ski Instructors of America - Ski Instructor Level 1
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Languages: English, Spanish


Bruno Gerardi
Backcountry Guide & Snowboard/Ski Instructor
Snowboard Instructor level3 ISIA stamp AADIDESS
Mountain Guide ISAGM (UIMLA certified) 2023
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Languages: English, Spanish, Basic Italian, Basic French
Jon Runchke
Backcountry Guide & Ski/Snowboard/Telemark Instructor
AADIDESS Snowboard Instructor level 1
AADIDESS Ski Instructor level 3
AADIDESS Telemark Instructor level 3
Wilderness First Responder(80hours)
American Institute for Avalanche Research & Education Avalanche Pro 1
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Languages: English, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese
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Charlie Yates
Local Guide & Snowboard/Ski Instructor
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Canadian Avalanche Association Operations level 1
Wilderness First Responder (80hours)
Languages: English, Japanese
Juan Berthold
Backcountry Guide & Snowboard/Ski Instructor
AADIDESS Snowboard Instructor level 3 ISIA
Wilderness First Responder (80hours)
American Institute for Avalanche Research & Education Avalanche Pro 1
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Languages: English, Spanish


Lars Meier Blattner
Backcountry Guide & Ski Instructor
Pre-Hospital Emergency Care
Avalanche Risk Management Level 5
Industrial Rope Access Technician level 1
New Zealand Snowsports Instructors Alliance Ski Instructor level 1
Snowsport Patrol Level 4​​​
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Languages: English, Swiss-German.
Mora Otsubo
Ski Instructor​ & Kids Ski lessons Specialist
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Ski Instructor for kids AADIDESS​
First Aid Crouse (pcr&basics)
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Languages: English, Spanish


Pedro Matrantuoni
Snowboard Instructor & Backcountry Guide
Canadian Avalanche Association Operations level 1
Wilderness First Responder (80hours)
Snowboard Instructor level 3
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Languages: English, Spanish
Jonathan Skinnider
Ski Instructor & Backcountry Guide
Canadian Avalanche Association Operations level 1
Canadian Avalanche Association Avalanche Search and Rescue Advance Skills
Canadian Avalanche Association Introduction to Weather
Wilderness First Responder (80hours)​​
Language: English


Florencia Carrasco
Ski Instructor
Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-B)
American Institute for Avalanche Research & Education Avalanche Pro 1
AADIDESS Level 3 ski instructor
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Languages: English, Spanish
Sofia Mejia Llamas
Ski Instructor & Photographer
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PSIA level 2
PSIA Children Specialist 2
PSIA Freestyle 1
AADIDES Kids Specialist. S. C. de Bariloche, Argentina
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Languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese


Mattias Moreno
Ski Instructor
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AADIDES Ski Instructor level 1
UIAA/FASA International Mountaineering Course (5days)
First Aid Crouse (PCR & basics)
Languages : English, Spanish
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Reilly Kane
Ski Instructor
New Zealand Snowsports Instructors Alliance Ski Instructor level 1
Red Cross Comprehensive First Aid Course
Basic Emergency Care Course
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Language: English
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Alexander Hadi
Ski Instructor & Backcountry Guide
CSIA level2
Wilderness First Responder (80hours)
American Institute for Avalanche Research & Education Avalanche Pro 1
Risk Management (Canadian Alpine Academy)
QNUK L3 Pre Hospital Care
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Language: English​
Tamaki Yamasawa
Ski Instructor & Backcountry Guide
New-Zealand Snowsports​ Instructors Alliance level 1
Japan Mountain Guide Association Ski Guide stage 1
Japan Mountain Guide Association Mountain stage2
Janapanese Avalanche Network Operations 1
Languages: English, Japanese
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