I started my skiing career as a freestyle and freeride skier, and eventually began working as a professional skier. Until recently, I was drawn to flashy performances like big jumps, and I tended to overlook the importance of turning technique. I also didn’t really like many of the photos of my skiing, which made me want to go back to the basics and reevaluate my style. Around that time, the photographer Yoichi Watanabe suggested that I try skiing on GS (Giant Slalom) alpine race skis. I decided to give it a try, and to my surprise, it was much harder than I expected. I struggled at first, but the difficulty made it fun, and I gradually became captivated by the art of turning. Now, I’ve come to deeply appreciate the depth of turning, and I love it just as much as jumping.

This shift sparked a desire to explore various styles of skiing and to delve into its history and culture. Yoichi Watanabe has an extensive knowledge of skiing and introduced me to vintage photo books, magazines, and films, sharing many stories along the way. Through these experiences, I began to gain a clearer understanding of what skiing means to me and what kind of skiing style I want to pursue.

This story is what I aim to portray in the film.

Japan