About Northern Heights Guiding
Northern Heights Guiding is a private ski and snowboard guiding service run by Canadian mountain guide James Robb, who has called Hakuba home for over sixteen years. With more than two decades of professional guiding experience in the Japanese Alps, Robb offers an intimate, personalised approach to exploring Hakuba's on-resort, off-piste, and backcountry terrain — a stark contrast to the large group tours that dominate the valley's winter scene.
Services range from private on-resort guiding for visitors who want to find the best runs and avoid crowds, to full-day backcountry touring expeditions that access the deep powder and alpine bowls above the tree line. Northern Heights also runs a popular Backcountry Basics avalanche safety course for skiers and snowboarders who want to start venturing beyond resort boundaries with proper training. All trips include door-to-door private transport from your accommodation, and Robb can assist with equipment rental arrangements and restaurant reservations — essentially serving as a concierge for your entire Hakuba ski trip.
The appeal of Northern Heights lies in the quality of the guiding itself. Robb holds wilderness first-aid and avalanche-rescue certifications, and his deep familiarity with Hakuba's micro-terrain — every gully, aspect, and wind-loading pattern — means he consistently finds untracked powder long after a storm has passed. Groups are kept deliberately small (typically two to four guests), allowing the pace and terrain selection to match each client's ability. For advanced skiers and riders seeking Hakuba's legendary Japanese powder with a trusted local expert, Northern Heights is the gold standard.
