Our Guides
Troy Portanger
AST 1 | NZSIA Ski Lvl 2 | WFA
Lead Guide | Founder
AST 1 | NZSIA Ski Lvl 2 | WFA
Lead Guide | Founder
Troy has been skiing for 25+ years, instructing and guiding for over 9 years. With most winters spent here in Japan, his powder sense is always tingling. Constantly looking for stashes that require you to whip out the snorkel.
The passion for Skiing, Scuba Diving, Skydiving and B.A.S.E Jumping has shaped his life in all aspects towards safety and maximising joy every day.
The drive to do things differently has led him to create "Snow Okami". The foundation of this snow focused all inclusive experience that aims to change the way people book their snow holidays.
Troy has been skiing for 25+ years, instructing and guiding for over 9 years. With most winters spent here in Japan, his powder sense is always tingling. Constantly looking for stashes that require you to whip out the snorkel.
The passion for Skiing, Scuba Diving, Skydiving and B.A.S.E Jumping has shaped his life in all aspects towards safety and maximising joy every day.
The drive to do things differently has led him to create "Snow Okami". The foundation of this snow focused all inclusive experience that aims to change the way people book their snow holidays.
“The best days aren't the ones you plan perfectly - they're the ones where the snow's deep, the group's dialed, and the turns are unforgettable. That's what we build every trip around.” - Troy
Nikolay Ermilov
AST 1 | ISIA Ski/Snowboard | Ski Patroller
Tail Guide
Our resident powder hound Nikolay, is Snow Okami's go to on those days when we need the extra safety and logistical planning.
An absolute weapon on a snowboard, he has been instructing globally since 2012 in Andorra, Russia and Hokkaido. Luckily for us, he was also a Ski Patroller at our main mountain, Kiroro. This comes with the unique ability to ride hard AND keep a group safe at the same time.
In the off season he is a professional Wakesurf coach, and also a CWSA and RFSurf judge. Spending more time on boards every year than most people do in a lifetime.
He keeps returning to Hokkaido because he just can't get enough of that sweet "JAPOW!"
Our resident powder hound Nikolay, is Snow Okami's go to on those days when we need the extra safety and logistical planning.
An absolute weapon on a snowboard, he has been instructing globally since 2012 in Andorra, Russia and Hokkaido. Luckily for us, he was also a Ski Patroller at our main mountain, Kiroro. This comes with the unique ability to ride hard AND keep a group safe at the same time.
In the off season he is a professional Wakesurf coach, and also a CWSA and RFSurf judge. Spending more time on boards every year than most people do in a lifetime.
He keeps returning to Hokkaido because he just can't get enough of that sweet "JAPOW!"
“I don't just guide and teach because I love it.
I ride because I NEED it!”
“I don't just guide and teach because I love it. I ride because I NEED it!”
