Backcountry tours into the wilderness involve constantly changing weather and a wide range of terrain. Visibility is everything to backcountry guides, who escort guests while ensuring their safety, comfort, and enjoyment. Clearer vision is essential in blizzards, sunny skies, flat, cloudy skies, uneven slopes with poor visibility, and in dense trees. What are the goggles that professionals use to instantly grasp the situation and move safely on snowy mountains?
GIRO | CONTOUR
The sleek, unconventional toric lens and cutting-edge EXV+ technology provide a wide field of view comparable to that seen with the naked eye. The quick-change lens system allows for instant lens changes
"The contrast is clear and the visibility is high" | IDEHA Takahiro Ishizawa
I use CONTOUR+ spare lenses. They offer high visibility and sharp contrast, making it easy to see the undulations of the snow surface. The high contrast of the VIVID lenses makes them ideal for capturing the undulations of the snow surface in the backcountry. In addition, the wide vision lenses, which do not have an outer frame, provide excellent visibility and reduce the risk of slipping. The lenses are easy to replace and come with one spare lens, so it's great that you only need the lens and don't need to carry a spare pair of goggles
Reviewer:
IDEHA
Takahiro Ishizawa
Born and raised in a corner of Zao, I grew up enjoying skiing in the mountains and fields from a young age. I've been guiding on Mt. Gassan for 27 years, and I never tire of the joy of skiing in this area. I guide because I want to share this exhilarating experience with everyone.
I also participate in search and rescue operations for missing persons in mountainous areas as a drone pilot for CocoHeli, and I am involved in activities to promote safe mountaineering.
[Qualifications Held]
JMGA Mountain Guide Stage I
, JMGA Ski Guide Stage II
, Japan Telemark Ski Association Certified Instructor
OAKLEY ｜Fall Line L Snow Goggles
Matte Black Strap | | ¥30,470
The Fall Line L combines the cylindrical design of Oakley's iconic LINE Miner goggle with the wide field of view of a rimless goggle. It's designed to fit a wide range of faces and is perfectly compatible with most helmets. Oakley's Ridgelock technology allows for quick and easy lens changes, ensuring a perfect fit for your face
"Wide field of view, comfortable fit, and clear vision. Perfect." | RIKI JAPOW GUIDE Riki Nakajima
I love Oakley's Fall Line L with Prizm Snow Rose lenses. The wide field of view, the fit, and the clarity are perfect
Reviewer:
RIKI JAPOW GUIDE
: Riki Nakajima
[Main guiding areas] Tomamu area, Furano area, Asahikawa area / Others: Niseko, Rusutsu, Nozawa Onsen
[Profile]
Obtained CSIA instructor certification in Whistler, Canada, and the first Japanese person to obtain CFSA freeski instructor certification. Expanded his activities from participating in numerous freeski competitions to backcountry skiing. Currently based at Hoshino Resorts Tomamu Ski Resort, he provides guiding and lessons.
[Qualifications held]
JMGA Mountain Guide Stage II
, JMGA Ski Guide Stage II
, JAN Avalanche Worker Level 1
POC | OPSIN CLARITY COMP
This racing model from the OPSIN CLARITY combines a classic frame design with a Clarity lens. In the rigorous competition and backcountry skiing scenes, split-second decision-making is essential. The OPSIN CLARITY COMP lens is optimized with a special color scheme that provides bright, clear vision, allowing you to accurately grasp snow conditions that change with the weather and time of day, and make quick decisions and move. One spare lens is included for cloudy days
"The fit of the goggles themselves is exceptional." | Tomohiro Shakawa
I mainly use OPSIN CLARITY COMP with Spektris Blue & Spectris Pink lenses. I carry a spare pair of goggles and only use them when skiing, such as when I'm in the mountains. I use a wind-proof comp type so I can handle speed and wind. I use lenses that aren't too dark even on sunny days. They're just the right brightness to accommodate age-related eye limitations. Another great thing about these goggles is that they fit exceptionally well
Reviewer:
COLOR SPORT CLUB
Tomohiro Tonegawa,
[Main Guide Area] Hakuba VALLEY (Hakuba, Otari, Omachi) / Others: Tateyama, Senjojiki, Myoko, Mt. Fuji
[Profile]
A pioneering figure who built the current backcountry scene. Since the early 1990s, he has looked beyond groomed slopes and pioneered the mountain skiing scene in the harsh winter. Even after achieving his signature field development throughout the Hakuba area, his pioneering work continues.
[Qualifications Held]
JMGA Mountain Guide Stage II
, JMGA Ski Guide Stage II
, JAN Avalanche Worker Level 2
POC｜Fovea
Toric lenses provide a wide field of view. Clarity lens technology enhances contrast for sharp vision in a variety of lighting conditions. The malleable frame and triple-layered face foam provide a comfortable, secure fit for any face shape, ensuring flexible comfort even in the coldest conditions
"The key to choosing skis is making sure they fit your face" | KinTouN Backcountry Guide Kenichi Minegishi
I like the pink lenses because they make it easier to see even on cloudy days with little light.
I've used various models, but I personally think Fovea suits my face best, so I often find myself wearing Fovea.
Reviewer:
KinTouN Backcountry GuideKenichi
Minegishi
[Main Guide Area] Kanto-Etsu Area
[Profile]
guide since 2003. Runs a members-only club and renovated traditional Japanese house camp "Kaze no Tani" in Yamakita Town, western Kanagawa Prefecture. Together with members he connected with through backcountry skiing, he is DIYing campsites and playgrounds in the mountains. "I wanted to ski on natural snow-covered mountains, just like riding the waves, which are the energy of nature. I wanted to climb the mountains on my own two feet and ski as I pleased. I felt freedom precisely because there was risk."
[Qualifications Held]
JMGA Ski Guide Stage II
SMITH｜Squad MAG
The Squad MAG is an iconic SMITH model equipped with a MAG lens change stem. It features SMITH's proprietary ChromaPop lens technology, which controls the three primary colors of light to provide a clearer field of view. It has been highly praised for its exceptional clarity of even the smallest details. It comes standard with two ChromaPop lenses, one for sunny days and one for cloudy days (excluding photochromic models)
"The lenses are easy to attach and remove!" | Rhythm Works Ryuta Asahi
I like flat lenses and love the Squad MAG Black. I use dark lenses, Sun Black or Sun Platinum Mirror. I carry a slightly brighter spare. The lenses are easy to attach and remove!
Reviewer:
Rhythm Works (Ryuta
Asahi
[Main guide areas] Shirakawa-go, Tateyama, Hakuba, Hirayu, Hoki-Daisen *Mainly the Hida Mountains and Ryohaku Mountains
[Profile]
I climb mountains throughout the four seasons, in harmony with the rhythm of nature. I am a versatile mountain guide who conveys the wide range of mountain attractions, from general traverses to challenging routes, from canyoning to backcountry riding.
[Qualifications]
JMGA Mountain Guide Stage I
, JMGA Ski Guide Stage II
, JAN Avalanche Worker Level 2
SMITH | 4D MAG
"Includes two spare Chroma Pop lenses!" | Kazuya Igarashi, Kagura Powder Station
The 4D MAG comes with two spare ChromaPop lenses. They offer a wide field of view, are easy to see, and are less likely to fog up!
Reviewer:
Powder Station
Kazuya Igarashi, Kagura
[Main Guide Area] Various routes accessible from the BC gate at the summit of the 5th Romance Lift at Kagura Ski Resort / Others: Spring tours of Tateyama, Gassan, Mt. Fuji, etc.
[Profile]
After becoming the All Japan Mogul Champion, he participated in the W-CAP and served as a national team coach, training skiers such as Satoya, Miura, Tsukida, and Hara. He worked under Yuichiro Miura and was active in Snow Dolphin. In 2008, he climbed Mt. Everest with him. Currently, he supports Kagura Powder Station as a BC ski and mountaineering guide.
[Qualifications Held]
JMGA Ski Guide Stage I
, JMGA Mountaineering Guide Stage II
I also love using 4D MAG | Natures Shinya Nakagawa
I find it very useful because of its wide field of view.
I choose brighter lenses throughout the season to cope with sudden weather changes and changes in light when moving from open slopes to wooded areas, etc.
Reviewer:
Nature
Shinya Nakagawa,
[Main Guide Area] Northern Hokkaido area near Asahikawa
[Profile]
Started snowboarding at the age of 14, and obtained a JSBA (Japan Snowboard Association) certified professional qualification in 2000. Fascinated by the world of backcountry, he shifted his focus to filming and photography. Feeling the joy and charm of mountains and nature, he decided to pursue a career as a guide to provide safe and enjoyable mountain trips. After serving as an Asahidake Nature Conservation Monitor, he established "Natures" in 2011.
[Qualifications Held]
・JMGA Mountain Guide Stage II
・JMGA Ski Guide Stage II
"I use SMITH's SQUAD MAG and 4DMAG interchangeably | LOCUS GUIDE SERVICE Kazuya Furuse"
I use QUAD MAG and 4DMAG. I like the SQUAD MAG's flat lens field of view and overall lightness, so I use it mainly when skiing on the slopes, and the 4D MAG's wide field of view is very useful when I'm at a backcountry ski resort, where I do a lot of work near my chest, so I use both. My only choice of lens is the ChromaPop photochromic lens, and its greatest feature is its brightness, which is suitable for both heavy snow days and sunny days at high altitudes. I can confidently say that it is the best lens I have ever used
Reviewer:
LOCUS GUIDE SERVICE
, Kazuya Furuse
[Main Guide Area] Hakuba Area
[Profile]
As a result of pursuing the art of skiing, my field of activity shifted from ski resorts to the backcountry, and I have gained experience as both a skier and a guide.
[Qualifications Held]
・JMGA Ski Guide Stage II
・JAN Avalanche Operations Personnel Level 2
SWANS | RIDGELINE Photochromic ULTRA Model
"Photochromic lenses are convenient" | Vertical Land Hiroki Ito
The photochromic lenses are convenient and useful as they do not need to be changed depending on the weather. The ventilation system is useful for preventing fogging if used properly
Reviewer:
Vertical Land)
Yuki Ito (
[Main guiding area] Around Hakuba Village, Nagano Prefecture, Northern Alps
[Profile]
At the age of 21, he moved to Canada and began skiing seriously. He was influenced by North American skiing culture and at the same time became interested in mountain skiing. After completing the Yamnuska Mountaineering School, he returned to Japan and became independent and started his own business in January 2020. His guiding concept is "More mountains in your life."
[Qualifications held]
JMGA Mountain Guide Stage I
, JMGA Ski Guide Stage II
, CAA Operation Level 1 (CAA: Canadian Avalanche Association)
SWANS | OUTBACK Photochromic ULTRA Model
These goggles offer easy ventilation and quick lens defogging with a single push of the lever at the bottom of the frame, without removing the goggles from your face. Photochromic (photochromic) technology automatically adjusts the lens brightness in response to UV rays, making them extremely versatile for all weather conditions. Another great feature is the MIT (Mirror Insert Technology) lens, which eliminates color variations in your field of vision
"We've been waiting for this! Breathable goggles with flat lenses" | Ryuta Furuichi
"I've been waiting for this! Breathable goggles with flat lenses." I've been a long-time user of SWANS' breathable goggles. You can operate the lever with a single touch, even with gloves on, without taking off the goggles, and instantly clear the fog inside the goggles.
And now, for the '23-24 season, breathable goggles with flat lenses have been released! Spherical lenses are good for visibility, but they get scratched easily if they hit even a small branch. With flat lenses, this problem is solved. I have high hopes for these goggles!
Reviewer:
Mountain Guide Coyote
Ryuta Furuichi
[Main guiding area] Hokkaido (Niseko, Mt. Yotei, Kiroro, Daisetsuzan, Furano area)
[Profile]
Interested in the environment and food, after graduating from the Faculty of Agriculture at Meiji University, he joined a company in Hokkaido in order to live in the magnificent Hokkaido. To feel closer to nature and practice a lifestyle that does not have an impact on the environment, he established Mountain Guide Coyote. He loves skiing in the snowy mountains using telemark skiing.
[Qualifications held]
JMGA Ski Guide Stage II
, JAN Avalanche Operator Level 2
Sweet Protection｜Clockwork [+Bonus Lens]
The Clockwork features high strength and Sweet Protection's signature RIG lens. The RIG lens minimizes color distortion and reduces eye fatigue with excellent contrast. The 2.8mm thick premium toric sculpted lens provides exceptional impact resistance, ensuring a wide field of view while maintaining a low volume and snug fit in a compact design. The double lens is equipped with GORE® Protective Vents, which prevent deformation of the inner lens due to changes in air pressure, creating an optimal environment for your eyes
Reliable goggles with all three features | Shohei Sasaki
These reliable goggles offer a wide field of view, clear lenses, and a comfortable fit
Reviewer:
CIRCLE GAME guide service
Shohei Sasaki,
[Main Guiding Area] Hokkaido
[Profile]
Originally from Nanae Town, Hokkaido, and based in Sapporo, he guides backcountry skiing in winter and explores Hokkaido's nature extensively in summer. He enjoys combining climbing and skiing.
[Qualifications Held]
JMGA Mountain Guide Stage II
, JMGA Ski Guide Stage II
I also love Sweet Protection's Clockwork
These goggles have the clearest field of view and the easiest lenses to see the slopes. The Japanese model has foam padding designed for Japanese people, so there is very little space between the nose and the padding, preventing snow from getting inside. The design is also cool. The lenses never fog up, so I don't carry spare lenses
Review
by
Toyokazu Nakano
[Main guiding area] Myoko/Kubiki area, Northern Shinshu / Others: Tateyama, Chokaisan, etc.
[Profile]
After 10 years of experience after moving to Myoko Kogen, I started "Infield" in 2006. Currently, I work as a backcountry tour guide and telemark ski instructor in winter, and as a mountain climbing/trekking guide and sea kayak guide in summer.
[Qualifications held]
JMGA Ski Guide Stage II
, JAN Avalanche Worker Level 2
I also love Sweet Protection's Clockwork
The field of view is wide and easy to see. It is durable and gives a sense of security as if your face is protected
Reviewer:
JUNRINA mountain service
Jun Nagai,
[Main Guide Areas] Kagura BC, Echigo Yuzawa BC, Tateyama BC
[Profile]
After leaving her corporate job, she worked at Tateyama Raichoso while undergoing guide training, and started working as JUNRINA mountain service in 2010. She has extensive experience on overseas backcountry trips. In summer and autumn, she works as a mountain guide mainly in the Alps and Joshinetsu region, and in winter and spring, she works as a backcountry ski guide.
[Qualifications Held]
JMGA Mountain Guide Stage III
, JMGA Ski Guide Stage II
, JAN Avalanche Worker Level 1
I also love Sweet Protection's Clockwork
ATOMIC ｜REDSTER HD WC
This is ATOMIC's most high-end goggle model. Designed to protect your eyes on sunny days and in all glare conditions, it features lenses optimized for even the brightest days on the slopes. These versatile goggles ensure clear vision in any lighting conditions
"It's the ATOMIC brand, but it's just as good as eyewear brands" | DAICHI TERUI
The contrast is clear and easy to see. It's comparable to goggle manufacturers!
Reviewer:
Daichi TERUI
[Main guiding area] All of Hokkaido
[Profile]
While attending university, he aspired to become a mountain guide and studied under international mountain guide Hirofumi Ishizaka. Upon graduating from university, he became a certified guide of the Japan Mountain Guide Association and began guiding. As part of his own activities, from his early twenties, he has experience in heli-skiing guide training in Northern Europe, mountaineering in the European Alps, and ski touring.
[Qualifications held]
・JMGA Mountain Guide Stage I
・JMGA Ski Guide Stage II
・JAN Avalanche Operator Level I completed
