Mountains in Alaska are big but so are the coffee cups. Morning without coffee is like winter without snow. I need to get my fix, Darker the better! photo: Matti Ollila

This overcast view pretty much sums up the majority days in AK. Luckily weather can change rapidly and riding in treeline saves a lot too. But I did not come all the way to Alaska for tree riding. photo: Matti Ollila

Constant change of weather can be pain in the butt. But that´s the way it is. Sometimes you score it and sometimes you don´t. If forecast shows partly cloudy it can go any direction. It´s almost impossible to trust weather forecast here. you just gotta go out and give it your best. photo: Matti Ollila

If weather stays good you can find yourself on top of the peak. You just got to prepare for at least 2 to 3 hours of hiking. If your mind is not ready to hike then your body is not either. To me hiking has become fun part of the day. You might not ride as much but most likely the riding you do feels more rewarding than any other riding you have done before. Earn your turns…Perkele! .photo: Matti Ollila

You made it! You are top of your line! Weather is great! No rush , no stress. Here you can take your time. If you feel that today is not the day for the steep run you know there will be super fun one next to it! Good riding is guaranteed! Im here to push my limits but number ONE thing is to HAVE FUN with reasonable risks! photo: Matti Ollila

When I was young I thought I could ride everything with just one board. For the most of my career I’ve been riding on directional twin freestyle boards. Commonly it’s the perfect shape for overall riding. It has a great sidecut for transitions and park riding, and if you want to hit backcountry just add some set-back and you’re good to go.But sometimes you find yourself in conditions where you need a ”real deal” – a real powder board. With designers and team riders at NORTHWAVE & DRAKE we have finally come to the point that next fall there is going be an All mountain & Freeride collection. One of the flagships of the collection is called Battle. This board truly floats like a surfboard on snow.
photo: Jani Karppa

Japan has been my early season mission for the last three years, so I packed my gear and went to test the first version of Battle in the beginning of January. photo: Jani Karppa

It was amazing to see how 163 cm tall board can be so agile in trees. I might say I got the best tree riding ever on that trip, and that is mostly because of the great board. But you can’t forget that Niigata was great too… P: Jani Karppa

The shape of the board is like a dagger or a sword. So it’s no wonder it’s called Battle. And yes, it feels like you’re in a battle zone when you ride it. Geronimo! photo: Jani Karppa

This beauty is truly a perfect weapon for anyone who is into powder and surfing!

There’s no such thing as bad weather – you just have to use your imagination. This was that kind of day.
As we woke up, water was running through the streets and sun was burning awfully hot. When you go to rip backcountry in Japan you might consider this as a terrible day. And that’s exactly what it is if your up to riding pow, but for riding it’s not completely miserable. photo: Sami Valikangas

As the Olympics were to go down we decided to give it our share. Since for some reason I was chosen as a deputy for halfpipe in Finnish team I needed to practice too. We knew a spot where we could build a nineties style quarter. The kind of where the take-off is apart from the landing with a size of maximum four meters. photo: Sami Valikangas

Sounds funny and easy. So did we think, too. After six hours of building we didn’t feel so funny. And it wasn’t long before we noticed the landing was way too flat. That didn’t feel funny either. photo: Sami Valikangas

Again, we got hungry as we were building, and a mini qp wasn’t good enough after all. So we ended up getting way higher than we could take on this landing. We sure felted it on our limbs. The day was supposed to be a day off. But after several airs, flips and plants the day was again that far that we saw sun going down photo: Sami Valikangas

Again, we were dead tired as we got ourselves back to Taku’s ”Grand Hotel”.
But we were happy. Down days are not for feeling down. They can also be fun as hell. photo: Sami Valikangas

We have been living here for nearly a month now. People have been changing a little bit but we’ve been feeling tight. We have been staying at the office of our guide Takumi Nagai. Taku calls this Grand Hotel, his guide master as Rabbit Hole. Sums it up pretty well. photo: Sami Valikangas

Two rooms are heated by heaters that pop at nights and that you have to turn on again every once in a while. If you don’t react as you hear Elvis singing, sometimes the room fills with carbon monoxide. photo: Sami Valikangas

As you wake up, it’s damn cold and you find out your gear has just dried. The alarm rings between five and six, usually closer to five. Quick coffee and oat meal, and then on the road via 7Eleven. You have to be fast when you wake up – the snow is at it’s best just a few hours. If you’re slow, you miss the powder. photo: Sami Valikangas

When it’s been crowded inside, you get more room outside. The brave ones can sleep at Taku’s camper, that he goes around Niigata whenever his traveling with Car Danchi. If don’t know Car Danchi, the greatest group of Japan, make yourself a favor and check them out right away. There’s also one heater in Taku’s car but you have to turn it off before falling asleep. If you sleep there, you have to own a good sleeping bag. photo: Sami Valikangas

As we get back to Rabbit Hole/Grand Hotel we get our stuff drying and hang together in those few square meters. You really get to know your friends well that way. As you do all your stuff side by side for weeks you learn some surprising stuff from them.This has been by far the best place where I could have spent this month. Thank you Taku, it’s been a true pleasure! photo: Sami Valikangas

Muikamachi & Tokamachi roadsides are perfect playground for freestyle-oriented free riding. Lots of obstacles to choose from – I like! photo: Sami Välikangas

I was testing new Drake snowboards ¨Battle¨ and I must say it is honestly one of the best ones I’ve ever ridden. This baby is great toy for this terrain! Photo: Sami Välikangas

Too deep..
It’s hard to believe but sometimes snow’s just too deep. But I don’t mind – snow is what I need! photo: Sami Välikangas

We were having some fun laps on a warm day in Hakkaisan, which is one of the best resorts around. My photographer and a good friend Sami Välikangas made a little edit of it. You’ll see it soon!