Where a passion for the backcountry meets deep local knowledge.
Our Philosophy: Living in Endless Winter
At Always Winter Tours, we don't view the mountains as a seasonal getaway—it’s our way of life. We were born from a relentless drive to chase the best powder across both hemispheres and share the magic of the backcountry in an authentic, immersive, and respectful way with local alpine environments and cultures.
Our mission is to take you far beyond the boundaries of commercial resorts and crowded slopes. We want you to experience the mountains from the inside out: discovering hidden glades, the deepest powder in Japan, and majestic Andean lines in Chile, just as those of us who call these mountains home live them every day.
Our Guides: World-Class Experience & Local Roots
Safety, confidence, and seamless movement through technical terrain are the cornerstones of every expedition we run.
- 10+ Seasons of Experience: Every member of our team brings over a decade of continuous professional experience in high-level ski/snowboard instruction and backcountry guiding across the world’s most demanding mountain ranges.
- Deep Local Knowledge: We are not temporary visitors. We live, explore, and continuously monitor the snowpack in Japan and Chile. We know this terrain intimately—its microclimates, secret access points, and regional culture.
Safety, Certifications & Mountain Risk Management
Our team members originate from a variety of professional ski industry backgrounds, but all have one very important thing in common: their love for the high mountains and deep powder in Japan and Chile.
At Always Winter Tours, your safety is our number one priority. This is why all guests guided into the backcountry or outside resort boundaries are required to personally carry appropriate avalanche safety equipment (transceiver, shovel, and probe).
All of our guides are professionally certified in avalanche safety management by the American Avalanche Association (AAA) and hold advanced certifications in wilderness first aid (such as Wilderness First Responder). Combined with recognized mountain guiding accreditations, you can be fully assured you are in safe hands.
Our guides undergo ongoing training in first aid, backcountry travel, and snowpack evaluation through international mountain safety organizations as well as through our rigorous in-house training programs.
Daily guide meetings are held in each operational zone to thoroughly analyze weather forecasts, snowpack dynamics, and prevailing conditions. Combined with our historical season knowledge bank, we make informed, precise decisions to ensure you ski or ride the best possible lines while maximizing your overall experience.
An Immersive Journey: Japan & Chile Like a Local
We believe a great ski trip is measured not only by the quality of the powder on the descent, but also by the rich cultural and human experience along the way. Our itineraries are built for complete immersion. We guide you through authentic local gastronomy, traditional onsens in Japan, alpine mountain huts in the Andes, and off-the-beaten-path routes that only a true local guide knows how to navigate.
Small & Exclusive Groups: Ultimate Personalization
To maintain agility in the field, operational safety, and a genuinely personal service, we adhere strictly to a small group policy:
Strict 1:4 Guide-to-Guest Ratio
We maintain a maximum ratio of 1 guide for every 4 guests (1:4). This exceptionally low ratio ensures maximum safety in technical backcountry terrain, allows us to tailor the pace to your exact level, and maximizes your line selection.
Maximum 2 Groups per Trip
To preserve the serenity of the mountain and protect the quality of the overall experience, we never operate more than two groups per trip.
100% Independent Operations
Each group travels, skis, and explores completely autonomously with their own dedicated guides, ensuring you never feel constrained by a massive tour group or have to share lines with large crowds.
Have questions? Schedule your call!
Have questions or want to plan your next powder journey? Schedule your call with us today!