About Us

Rising Sun was originally established in Hokkaido, Japan as a backcountry ski guiding operation and this remains our core business. However, Rising Sun`s owner is Canadian and returns home to Whistler every summer to ride the amazing trails of the sea to sky corridor.

Our summer operations are modeled off of our winter programs based on the understanding that local knowledge and flexibility are the keys to making the most of an adventure holiday.

Andrew Spragg

Owner / Guide

Andrew grew up in Calgary before moving to the west coast for university in 1998. Once in Vancouver, Andrew found the North Shore, bought his first downhill bike and started exploring the trails of the sea to sky corridor. Along the way, winter pursuits took him to Japan where he established Rising Sun Guides and began showing backcountry ski and snowboard enthusiasts his adopted home of Hokkaido.

But the great outdoors and incredible bike trails of B.C. brought Andrew and his wife Yui back to Whistler every summer. Eventually they decided it was time to share the best of the West Coast with mountain bikers from around the world.

Andrew has been guiding in various capacities (ski, splitboard, bike, raft and canyoning) since 2005.

Qualifications
  • ACMG Ski & Hiking guide (Association of Canadian Mountain Guides)
  • PMBIA Level 1 (Professional Mountain Bike Instructor`s Association)
  • Wilderness First Responder

Yui Spragg

Yui is from Hokkaido, Japan but made her first visit to Canada in 2008. That trip was just a short holiday but in 2011, she and Andrew began returning to Canada every summer. Living in Whistler, it only made sense to get a mountain bike and with the bike park on her door step, Yui quickly progressed.

Yui is always available for much needed support, whether its a shuttle pick up, assistance with logistics or just to deliver a cold beer and a big smile at the end of an amazing ride!