From a skier who competes in technical competitions to a guide
Spur Akita Mountain Guide is based in Akita and offers mountain climbing and backcountry tours. Its founder, Mariko Sato, is a former alpine racer and a skilled skier who even competed in the All Japan Basic Skiing Championships
She is a highly reliable guide with impressive skiing and guiding skills, and is attracting a lot of attention among the young members of the JMGA. It is also refreshing to see a female professional guide in the Akita area
There are two main guide menus
Beginner's Tour
This tour is designed for first-time backcountryrs, those unfamiliar with beacon operation or equipment use, and those who are not used to it. You'll receive instruction on climbing techniques and appropriate behavior during the tour, so you can participate at your own pace with peace of mind. Solo travelers are welcome.
Tour period: Late December to May
Basic Tour
This tour is for experienced backcountry skiers and those familiar with beacon operation. Enjoy skiing on open slopes and tree runs with gradients of around 20-30 degrees. Solo participants are welcome, and tours will run even with just one guest.
Operating period: Late December to May.
Powder Lesson
This is an opportunity to "ski on various slopes and snow conditions, without any rigid structure, and check your technique! Let's correct any issues and become a more stylish and safer skier!" Beginners are more than welcome. You can even start from just putting on your boots! Let's talk first. This is for:
people who want to improve their powder snow skiing skills
, people who want to solve their backcountry skiing problems
, people who want to practice for their backcountry debut,
and people whose goal is backcountry skiing but who have never skied before... everyone is welcome!
What I value
"I run tours with the hope that guests can experience the unique sensations of being enveloped in the forest, or at other times being released on the mountain slopes. Everyone has different motivations and goals for heading to the mountains, and their skills and experience vary, so I try to tailor the tours to suit each guest as much as possible. From first-timers to veterans, I aim to take guests to places they can enjoy without straining themselves, matching their physical strength and skiing level as much as possible."
Mariko Sato
began skiing at a young age, competing in alpine skiing until high school, and then moved on to recreational skiing. She has experience competing in the All Japan Ski Technical Championships. A certain event led her to become fascinated with backcountry skiing, and she decided to become a guide, studying at the International School of Natural Environment and Outdoor Activities (i-nac), which led her to where she is today.
[Qualifications, etc.]
・JMGA Mountain Guide Stage II
・JMGA Ski Guide Stage I
・JAN Avalanche Worker Level 1
*JMGA…Japan Mountain Guide Association
JAN…Japan Avalanche Network
Guide Area
| Main guide area | Akita area, Iwate area |
| Other areas | Nothing in particular |
| Representative name (guide qualification) | Mariko Sato (JMGA Mountaineering Guide Stage II, JMGA Ski Guide Stage I, JAN Avalanche Worker Level 1) |
| Main guide name (guide qualification) | Mariko Sato (JMGA Mountaineering Guide Stage II, JMGA Ski Guide Stage I, JAN Avalanche Worker Level 1) |
| Number of guides | 1 full-time employee (1 qualified employee) |
| Guide Ratio | 1 guide: 6 guests |
| Percentage of guests | Skiing/Snowboarding (7 vs. 3) / Men and Women (5 vs. 5) |
rental
| Snow Safety Gear | Beacon Probe Shovel (Ant) |
| backpack | Something that can accommodate skis or snowboards (Yes) |
| Skiing | Skis with touring bindings (none) |
| Climbing gear | Climbing skins (none) Snowshoes (yes) Poles (yes) |
Fee
| 1DAY | BC Beginner Tour: 13,000 yen BC Basic Tour: 15,000 yen | |
| others | BC entry 11,000 yen |
The actual tour content
| BC Beginner's Tour | BC Basic Tour | Only during the remaining snow season | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Activity time | Approximately 4 to 5 hours | About 5-6 hours | About 8 hours |
| Cumulative elevation gain | 200-600m (depending on the route) | 600-1000m (depending on the route) | 1000-1200m (depending on the route) |
| Average hiking time | About 1 to 2 hours | Approximately 1 to 3 hours | Approximately 3 to 5 hours |
| Slope Contents | An altitude of 1,300m or less, with a slope of about 20 to 30 degrees | Open burn or tree run in temperatures of 20-30 degrees | Aim for bigger mountains and slopes that suit your strength, skills, and experience |
Information
| address | Yajimacho, Yurihonjo City, Akita Prefecture |
| Tel | 080-5454-4569 |
| spur.guides@gmail.com | |
| Web | https://spur-akita.com |
| Social Media | supr_akita |
*The information posted is current as of July 2025
