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Yu Sato

Yu

4.60

(14)

Mountain Guide- Sapporo, Hokkaido

Certificates

JMGA 

I am an JMGA mountain and ski guide born in the local village of Obihiro in Hokkaido. Mountains have always been close to me, as I started climbing mountains when I was 8. My mountain passion extended to backcountry skiing since 2006, around which time I also started guiding in the mountains.

I decided to become a mountain guide because not only did I like being in the mountains as a climber but I got more joy out of sharing the experiences and excitements with the people I climbed with. I just really enjoy it when others are also having a fun time!

I guide and enjoy both skiing and telemark skiing, but I prefer telemark skiing for its higher versatility in the mountains. Telemarking lets you enjoy the mountains in a different mindset to skiing. Even though it is more challenging to ski on them especially on more technical terrains but I embrace the challenge it offers. I also find it much easier to hike up on my telemarks than on my skis.

In the summer, my favourite guiding is long mountain traverse routes whilst in the winter my guiding activity includes backcountry skiing, snowshoe trekking, and ice climbing in Hokkaido. The beauty of guiding gin the winter is that one is not confined to ‘hiking routes’ like in the summer. My guiding fields of choice are places near Sapporo, Niseko and Daisetsuzan (Asahidake) area for backcountry skiing, but mostly I guide long routes on less crowded, more local mountains. It is my guiding policy, to not guide "slack country skiing", where we need to stick to the sides of ski resorts and is crowded with people. I feel there is more value add for me to take groups away from the crowds in less known areas best suited for the day’s condition and the weather.
As for popular areas, I do guide Mt Yotei (on the sides with less people), and Asahidake area but there isn’t much peak hunting to be done in Hokkaido.

My passion is to guide my clients to less populated areas, let them discover new areas and new kind of fun. I want visitors from all over the world to enjoy the accessible famous powder snow in Hokkaido, but I’d also like for you to venture into the depth of the mountains with me and to experience having the mountain all to ourselves. Please contact me if you’re keen on discovering the Hokkaido nature with me, whether it be in the summer or the winter!

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Reviews

 

Eiffel Tan

5.00

March, 2024

Yu is an english speaking local guide so don't be hesitant to book him for a trip. We did a 2 day ice climbing trip in Sounkyo and he gave me tips on technique which was really helpful! Learn a lot from him.

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Roy Cimolai

5.00

January, 2024

Yu Sato was an excellent guide , knowledgeable, courteous and helpful . This was our second trip with Yu and we would not hesitate to have him guide us again ! Thank you Yu

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Roy Cimolai

5.00

January, 2024

Yu Sato was our guide . We had an excellent day climbing and skiing with him . He was professional, knowledgeable , friendly and personable . Yu met and exceeded our expectations. I would not hesitate to hire Yu Sato as our guide in the future. Thank you , Yu !

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NF 2425

5.00

October, 2023

Great, experienced guide. Very knowledgeable and professional and had a great time. Would definitely recommend.

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