Shin Biyajima is one of the few riders who have arguably mastered Japan's terrain. From making beautiful turns through Hokkaido's rolling hills to attacking secret steeps hidden around Nagano, his ability to adapt to any landscape is what defines him.
Last winter, along with Tomoki Takaku, he was able to delve once again into the deep backcountry of snowboarding's nirvana: Alaska. 'MIND' is the movie they created along the way.
With the stated aim of 'moving like water' down the faces they rode, whilst at the same time balancing avalanche safety and sluff management, their perfectly lines straddle the knife edge between flow, style and control.
With seven year's of riding Valdez under his belt, Shin felt this was one of the first seasons where he could really start to get a handle on the multitude of possibilities and safety protocols that can be overwhelming, experience that came into play and saved his life on one cliff edge slide, and also scored him the cover of Diggin' Magazine.
Shin Biyajima is one of the few riders who have arguably mastered Japan's terrain. From making beautiful turns through Hokkaido's rolling hills to attacking secret steeps hidden around Nagano, his ability to adapt to any landscape is what defines him.
Last winter, along with Tomoki Takaku, he was able to delve once again into the deep backcountry of snowboarding's nirvana: Alaska. 'MIND' is the movie they created along the way.
With the stated aim of 'moving like water' down the faces they rode, whilst at the same time balancing avalanche safety and sluff management, their perfectly lines straddle the knife edge between flow, style and control.
With seven year's of riding Valdez under his belt, Shin felt this was one of the first seasons where he could really start to get a handle on the multitude of possibilities and safety protocols that can be overwhelming, experience that came into play and saved his life on one cliff edge slide, and also scored him the cover of Diggin' Magazine.
To celebrate the movie's launch, we caught up with Shin to get some extra details on the process and thought behind 'MIND':
Hey Shin, can you explain the idea behind your new project ‘MIND’?
MIND... I wanted to think and talk about why we love Alaska so much. Coming to Alaska is not an easy trip - I wanted to dig into my own mind and find out why I try to keep coming to Alaska, as well as talk to friends and hear what they have to say.
At the end of the day, I want more snowboarders to experience these special moments!
Just before the movie came out, we saw the gnarly Diggin’ cover! What’s the story there?
That was close! I guess it has to happen at some point, but I had just enough momentum to make sure you I could ride the slab and get out to my left. There was a little rock on the ridge that was making the snow flow really weird and I lost my speed on the edge of the slide, pushing me back a little, but I just kept pushing through my hand and managed to get out and stand up asap.
To celebrate the movie's launch, we caught up with Shin to get some extra details on the process and thought behind 'MIND':
Hey Shin, can you explain the idea behind your new project ‘MIND’?
MIND... I wanted to think and talk about why we love Alaska so much. Coming to Alaska is not an easy trip - I wanted to dig into my own mind and find out why I try to keep coming to Alaska, as well as talk to friends and hear what they have to say.
At the end of the day, I want more snowboarders to experience these special moments!
Just before the movie came out, we saw the gnarly Diggin’ cover! What’s the story there?
That was close! I guess it has to happen at some point, but I had just enough momentum to make sure you I could ride the slab and get out to my left. There was a little rock on the ridge that was making the snow flow really weird and I lost my speed on the edge of the slide, pushing me back a little, but I just kept pushing through my hand and managed to get out and stand up asap.
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.
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.
WHAT HE RODE
THE MELLOW
For drawing perfect lines down pristine faces, Shin uses the Mellow, a surf-inspired board designed to turn snowy banks into your favourite point break.
There's camber between the inserts for true control, but with a good-sized rocker in the nose for unbeatable float, helped by the Mellow's wide footprint. To keep you moving fast through flatter terrain the base is sintered and finished to our N-7000 standard.
A full-wood topsheet and premium construction keeps everything in check and gives you a 'good vibrations only' ride, and also makes the Mellow look as good as it feels!
WHAT HE RODE
THE MELLOW
For drawing perfect lines down pristine faces, Shin uses the Mellow, a surf-inspired board designed to turn snowy banks into your favourite point break.
There's camber between the inserts for true control, but with a good-sized rocker in the nose for unbeatable float, helped by the Mellow's wide footprint. To keep you moving fast through flatter terrain the base is sintered and finished to our N-7000 standard.
A full-wood topsheet and premium construction keeps everything in check and gives you a 'good vibrations only' ride, and also makes the Mellow look as good as it feels!