It has been a while since I have been filming backcountry riding in Finland. This year snow coverage is so good that I had to use the opportunity and make the best out of it in Ruka,a place I call home nowdays. Of course the days when the snow is the best are usually the most whiteout but that didn´t stop our crew to get creative. photo: Harri Tarvainen

Top of Ruka is full of these pillowy features that in Finland are called ¨Tykkylumi¨which means snow and rime accumulation on trees and rocks. To me these are the features that really make Finnish backcountry look unique. I know there is similar kind of features in Canada and Japan but accessing is way harder than at home. In Ruka we can literally play around them right from the lift. photo: Harri Tarvainen

During these few days of filming in Ruka I was reminded that riding in Finland is much more than it first seems.Even though snow is often shallow there are times when everything come together and some of the best days of the season are actually the ones you are spending at home.  photo: Harri Tarvainen

New season & new project! Im happy to have my trusted filmer Teemu Lahtinen onboard with me again. For the first trip of the season we headed back to Minamiuonuma Japan where the snow is probably deeper than anywhere else in the world. Perfect spot to warm up that new camera gear. photo: Jani Kärppä

Before the trip I had made some plans about locations with my friend and mountain guide Takumi Nagai. After our arrival Taku showed us some new spots that he had scouted from surrounding areas. photo: Jani Kärppä

We have been fortunate to be able to visit Satoyama Jujo hotspring resort few times during the trip. This year the snow had piled up so high that the whole place actually looked like perfect base camp for anyone looking to find some nice powder next door. photo: Jani Kärppä

Talking about powder.There is lots of it! Off I go to shred some more. stay tuned!
photo: Jani Kärppä

#1: LOCATION! Thing that starts every approach is the location you want to go to. If you have seen a photo or heard of a place then you know there is going to be information about it and all you need to do is to search for it. photo: Miikka Hast

#2 THIS WILL MAKE YOUR APPROACH SO MUCH BETTER! Always try to connect with people who have knowledge of the places you want to go to. Finding good location for the stuff you want to do can sometimes require use of a computer.Google earth is really good tool to learn about terrain before you have seen it. When you use it with person who has more experience of surrounding locations you can make your plan of approach way better. photo: Teemu Lahtinen

#3 PICK YOUR CREW! Sharing the ups and downs with your friends will make your adventure so much more richer. Surround yourself with people who share the similar passion and goal. If you want to ride natural terrain the last thing you need is a guy who wants to search that perfect roller to build a wedge. or other way around…  Always remember to stick with the crew and share the same goal when the day of approach arrives! photo: Jani Karppa

EAT A LOT! If you are gonna spend your day in the backcountry don´t start it with same brekky as the one at home! You gotta eat! My girlfriend is always worried that I don´t have any meat on top of my bones when I get back from the Approaches. Most of the time she is right. so take this tip and EAT EAT and EAT! photo: Teemu Lahtinen

#5 ENJOY THE APPROACH! It is easy to enjoy when you are using machines. But when it comes down to hiking It is easier to say than do. Train physically and mentally before the trip so you will get your hike flow faster.Hiking will give you way more snow knowledge comparing to machine accessed approaches. Even though approach might be slower the outcome can sometimes be better. photo: Jani Karppa