Backcountry Guide

JOB DESCRIPTION: BACKCOUNTRY GUIDE

POSITION TITLE: Backcountry Guide

REPORTS TO: Evergreen Backcountry Guides Director

DEPARTMENT: Evergreen Backcountry Guides (EBG)

POSITION SUMMARY:

• Evergreen Backcountry Guides (EBG) is based in Hakuba valley, in the Nagano Prefecture of Japan.
• Guides will be expected to become proficient with all aspects of our local tours in the Hakuba valley and will work within the framework of our backcountry tour operations.
• Off-piste guiding will lead guests into lift-accessed terrain when alpine conditions are not conducive to skiing in backcountry areas. (Avalanche Danger, deep snow, and guide rostering dependent) EBG will work in conjunction with Evergreen Alpine Academy (EAA) Off-piste instructors, that are tasked with teaching low-level clients to ski off groomed terrain.

• The applicant will have experience with professional standards in mechanized or touring accessed guided tours. Experience in managing trip logistics; creating ascent and descent routes, allowing the guests to be picked up, and returned within the framework of acceptable times.
• The applicant will possess the ability to anticipate and cater to guests' needs and abilities in the field. Ultimately, balancing a focus on finding safe, yet fun, and satisfying terrain for that particular day and area. Our guides are responsible for the safety, wellbeing, and enjoyment of guests out on backcountry & off-piste tours.

• POSITION DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Guides will be expected:

Possess solid organizational skills and have effective communication skills

To participate in the company required in-house and in-the-field training.

To do a “Pre-Tour Meeting” with our guests to do a meet and greet.

To quickly establish professional relationships and gain the confidence of guests.

Determine if guests’ abilities and expectations meet their stated sign-up data

To explain the next day’s schedule, cover personal items and gear to bring, cover possible tour locations, distribute, set up rental equipment/gear, and attend to any questions guests may have.

Guides may also be asked to assist in teaching “Avalanche Skills Training” AST 1 & 2 courses within the EBG organization and be competent in teaching avalanche rescue skills to guests.

Guides will be expected to potentially “mentor” trainee guides or new EBG guides to teach them terrain, tour flow, tour locations, tour, and guest management, as well as tail guide practices.

Guides should have extensive backcountry ski/board touring experience, route-finding skills, thorough weather analysis skills, snowpack data and snow stability evaluation skills, strong leadership and communication skills, wilderness First Aid skills, avalanche rescue skills, and winter rescue training.

Guides will demonstrate excellent note-taking ability and have the ability to provide clear data for job-related logs, SWAG, or related reports and will be expected to be complete when required; trip plan forms, rental equipment forms, vehicle accident report forms, emergency /accident /injury report forms.

Guides will be expected to follow our duty of care to our guests from tour start to tour end.

Guides will be expected to provide first aid, rescue action, rescue leadership, rescue communications, rescue/evacuation plans and strategy, and total group care while on the tour.

Guides will also be expected to respond to 3rd party or other parties’ emergencies/rescues/accidents if assistance is available, feasible, and does not compromise the safety/care of our guests.

Guides will be expected to have and carry their company cell phone and radio on their person during all tours and to be reachable after office hours. A GPS device is also a great addition, but not mandatory.

Guides will be expected to follow Japanese road and driving laws, drive defensively, change tires (if flat tires w/ spare), and park company vehicles in appropriate areas.

JOB DUTIES MAY ALSO INCLUDE:

Snow clearing, tidying up front and back of office space, replacing and or fixing rental gear and equipment, assisting with staff accommodation and personal room clean-up /maintenance, picking up and dropping off guests at locations within Hakuba/Nagano, and replying to emails. Leading the occasional full or half-day snowshoe tour, (if the early or late season or due to lack of snowshoe guides)

ADDITIONAL DUTIES:

Due to the many variables that affect business operations, occasionally, employees may be asked to perform other duties or assist in efforts outside their primary area of responsibility, when admin staff deems it necessary. This may include performing in any subordinate position

SUPERVISORY DUTIES: Supervise new staff or new guides with daily operations and provide training to new staff or new guides. (From AM meeting to day’s end) Rental set up training, rope rescue training, avalanche rescue training, weather analysis training, snowpack observations, and snow testing training

GENERAL DUTIES:

DAILY:

Attend AM and PM Guide meetings and be able to understand and record pertinent data in their logbooks. Potential to record and provide weather and snow data to AM guides meetings.

Check to see if vehicles need to have snow/ice cleaned from the exterior, and be sure to clean trash from the interior.

Prepare personal, and guest gear in a timely manner.

Prepare and file /submit a daily trip plan form

Potential to lead or assist snowshoe tours.

Guides will be expected to take snowpack and terrain data while out in the field and report findings to our guiding team

Conduct and oversee backcountry safety briefings for new guests.

Plan, adjust, and maintain group management and guest safety from tour start to end.

Find safe, yet fun and satisfying terrain, for that particular day and area.

To deliver an amazing guest experience through fun, enjoyable and memorable Snowsports lessons.

To be passionate about our guests, and about the experiences that we provide.

To upsell lessons and courses to guests, depending on the guest's needs.

To liaise with other departments on day-to-day issues to ensure that all guest's needs are fulfilled.

To ensure that all guests are aware of and adhere to the mountainside Protocols.

To report any equipment defects, faults, or breakdowns to the relevant department/manager

To adhere to Health and Safety procedures

To provide relevant First Aid should it be required.

Complete paperwork required

Provide reports, course results, and pictures updates to social media, marketing, or line manager when needed or demanded

Assist with guest complaints, general incidents, accidents, and troubleshooting

Resolve member/ guest problems in an efficient, courteous, and consistent manner in relation to the operational procedure and company policy

To always demonstrate sound judgment and consideration for athlete/guest safety

Guides will also assist with setting up rental equipment (touring skis and split-boards), resetting rental equipment

Check vehicle's gas levels and refuel. Return receipt to the office for accounting.

WEEKLY:

Monitor rental gear for maintenance, repair, or retiring.

Follow staff housing/accommodation cleaning rosters and attend meetings for guides/staff housing.

Provide reports, course results, and pictures updates to social media, marketing, or line manager when needed or demanded

Coordinate bookings and registrations with the administration team.

Maintain inventory records of all related program equipment (course material, radios, video cameras, tool kits, etc.)

AM/PM Weather Plot data recording, and sharing, maybe part of the mentorship program for candidates for aspiring guides during the winter season

Guides will be expected to check and refill if needed: for oil levels and windshield wiper fluid and let their manager know if EBG vehicles have any mechanical issues.

MONTHLY:

Attend company meetings

Part