There is only one fully qualified mountain guide operating in the Tokachi area. This is Backcountry powder tracks which is based in Furano. Guides are qualified with a recognized international mountain guide association and are all bilingual. Alternatively, John Morrell, an Australian who has been running trips to Hokkaido for 25 years, also offers guided trips to Tokachi. He is not a fully qualified guide, but knows the area well and offers a more informal service. There are Japanese guides in the area but none are qualified and none offer much more than simple tours on the most frequented spots, nor do any speak English fluently.