Bio
Ken Yamaguchi fell in love with mogul skiing while in college, and his enthusiasm led him to get a job with a ski manufacturer. He then went to school in the U.S. to study the Bible and outdoor education. In 2006, he began his full-fledged work as an instructor and guide at Northstar. After years of guiding and community activities, in 2022 he opened the Norikura Community Mountain Bike Trail in Norikura Kogen, the first mountain bike trail in a Japanese national park. He enjoys giving riding tours to guests in both the summer and winter.
Message
I am a self-proclaimed "snowboarding and mountain biking enthusiast" with no professional background in either snowboarding or mountain biking. I am not the type of rider who can just get up and go, but rather the type of rider who had to practice hard over and over again to master my riding skills. Because of this background I am able to provide safe and easy to understand guidance to help guests enjoy outdoor sports in a safe and enjoyable way. “Gateway to Adventure" is one of our mottos at Northstar, and we are happy to help our guests take the first step into a new adventure.
Guide Q&A
Q: What is your most memorable experience in nature?
The first time I took the time to hike and ride in the backcountry, when the conditions were more perfect than I had aimed for and I naturally cried out. Or when I rode the mountain bike trails that I had taken the time to maintain on the lines I wanted. In those times, I felt like I was enjoying nature all to myself.
Q: What does nature represent to you?
Something that teaches you and keeps you alive, something so big and profound in every way.
Q: What has nature taught you?
That I am "small" in many ways.
Q: What do you hope that people will get out of experiences with you as a guide?
It makes me genuinely happy when guests say they had a great time. The experience will vary depending on the conditions of the day and each person's experience and skills, but we will be guiding our guests to make their holiday fulfilling, whether it is the riding itself, a new experience, or the ability to do something new.
Highlights
・ Japan Mountain Guides Association Mountaineering Guide Stage II / Ski Guide Stage I ・ Japan Avalanche Network Avalanche Worker Level 1 (Active Member) ・ Shinshu Mountaineering Guide ・ PMBIA Level 1 Mountain Bike Guide/Instructor ・ CASI Level 1 Snowboard Instructor ・ Languages: Japanese, English
