Japan is mostly known for the more mellow hills in Hokkaido, but you ride some pretty gnarly lines at home as well as in Alaska. Are there any Japanese spots that hold up to AK?
Yeah, you know there some short, steep fun terrain leading into riverbanks, some with easy access, but there are also some glorious high mountains around Japan that have still never been ridden. I'm digging that. Near Nagano there’s a range named the Japanese Alps - there’s some real alpine terrain there.
Do you have a routine before dropping into a big line? Any thoughts that go through your head? Any techniques to staying focused?
I ask myself, what did I forget? I make sure I won’t go the wrong direction, calm, chill. Imagine the sluff paths, safety lines, get out points.
Spines or pillows?
Both! Pillowy spines, pillows at the end of Spines!
Turns or straightline?
Forget about it.
Heli or onsen?
Whoa! Heli.
Sapporo or Asahi?
I'll have what you're having.