A pro snowboarder explores Minamiuonuma’s understated terrain and the shift from riding for himself to guiding others.

Finnish snowboarder Antti Autti has built his career on exploring remote terrain, and in The Snow Country he turns his attention to Minamiuonuma – a quiet freeride pocket just a short train ride from Tokyo. Filmed through Autti’s perspective, the short piece looks at what happens when a pro rider shifts from chasing lines to guiding others, and how the region’s deep snow, local culture and slower pace shape that experience. It’s a straightforward, honest look at riding for the sake of being out there – no ego, just snow, people, and place.

“Way, way back, this place was surrounded by snow. It was snowing so much that you could not get out from the city. During the winter time, please were just kind of stranded in the area. That’s where the legend of the whole snow country comes from.”