Gearhead Kendall: As one of the more experienced film skiers in this project, how important is it for you to work on a wide range of projects throughout the year?
Parkin Costain: It’s huge. This trip to New Zealand was a dream come true—I’d always wanted to go there. Beyond that, it was special to reconnect with Toby, ski with Ana as her career is really taking off, and just experience new terrain with an amazing crew. The camaraderie made it unforgettable.

Q: You’ve logged a lot of heli time. How does flying impact your skiing progression?
A: Helicopters make things way more efficient—if you have good weather and a clear objective, you can accomplish so much in a short window. It’s given me the chance to ski zones in Haines, Alaska, multiple times, figure out which terrain works best, and refine how I make my skiing look as aesthetic as possible. After nine years, I know those mountains pretty well.

Q: How do you balance different types of skiing—resort, sled, touring, heli—throughout a season?
A: When I was younger it was 90% resort skiing. Now it’s mostly sled-based backcountry, with some ski touring mixed in and a week or two of heli skiing each spring.

Q: What does your off-season training look like?
A: I try to stay active year-round—mountain biking, trail running, and hiking in Glacier National Park. Once fall hits, I add more structure with stability and core work at the gym to stay strong and healthy for winter.

Q: What’s your go-to meal after a big day on the mountain?
A: Honestly, burgers. Not the healthiest option, but it’s my comfort food after burning that many calories.

Q: Are you reading anything right now?
A: I’m working my way through “Powerless” by Lauren Roberts. My girlfriend’s been on me to finish it. It’s kind of a “Hunger Games”–style story that my younger cousin recommended and it’s pretty good.

Q: Favorite Backcountry outerwear kit?
A: Cottonwoods. That’s been my go-to for a few seasons now—it’s the perfect freeride kit and the new LT version is fully decked out with features.

Q: Do you have more fun driving your snowmobile or rally car?
A: If my rally car was finished, maybe that. But right now, sledding is a massive part of my life and I love it.

Q: Team gloves or team mittens?
A: Gloves, for sure. You need the dexterity—especially for sledding.

Q: How often do you wax your skis in winter? 

A: Almost never. Maybe once. 

Q: What’s your highlight from the New Zealand trip outside of skiing? 

A: Jumping into an icy lake that a local showed us—probably 60 feet down. It was freezing but epic. Ana and I even went back for a round two with some flips. The go-karting session was also a highlight—I narrowly beat our videographer Paul’s lap time and came within 0.02 seconds of beating Brandon Semenuk’s time on the track leaderboard. 

Q: Any memorable sights in New Zealand? 

A: Definitely exploring the ”Lord of the Rings” filming sites. Hiking through Fangorn Forest and seeing Isengard in person was wild. Ana and I also climbed through a cave at the top of Treble Cone to reach a rocky summit—sketchy but unforgettable. 

Q: Have you finished the ”Lord of the Rings” movies since our New Zealand trip? 

A: I think so! We watched most of them on the trip, and I finished the last one at home with my girlfriend. Aragorn is my favorite character, followed up closely by Radagast from “The Hobbit.”  

Gearhead Kendall: How many ski and snowboard films have you been involved with?
Toby Miller: This is my third proper film. My first was a Warren Miller movie when I was just starting out, and then I filmed with them again last winter alongside Parkin and Lexi DuPont, which was incredible. Now, being part of "Ski The Day," Backcountry’s first in-house film, feels really special. I got to provide input on segments, destinations, and how we executed things—it’s exciting to carry that momentum forward.

Q: Where do film projects rank on your priority list as an athlete?
A: At this stage in my career, they’re extremely important. Films allow me to express myself as a rider, to take a concept from an idea to a finished project. Performance has always been a big part of my career, but creating something lasting—something you can look back on—is incredibly rewarding. I want to keep building on that.

Q: You’ve spent a lot of time on your snowmobile recently. What led you to ditch the park for freeride and backcountry filming?
A: I wouldn’t say I ditched the park, but over the past couple of winters I leaned hard into the backcountry. For the first decade of my career, it was all park and halfpipe. Then I injured my shoulder and took a year off the competition circuit. That time off opened the door to filming and freeriding. What started as a setback turned into a huge positive—I finally stepped into the big-mountain space I’d always dreamed about.

Q: How much heli experience did you have before the New Zealand trip with Backcountry?
A: Very little. I’d only done one heli trip before. So, New Zealand was just my second time, and being there with Ana, Parkin, and you made it even more special. Helicopters open doors to terrain that you simply can’t reach otherwise. The snowmobile is such a great tool, but you have to ride tandem to the top of a line to be able to snowboard down. That can be a limiting factor—the helicopter eliminates that factor. It was a game-changer. 



Q: Did you ride anywhere else in the Southern Hemisphere this year? 

A: Yeah, I spent a week at Valle Nevado in Chile. I expected mellow park laps, but instead we got a historic five-foot storm. Locals said it was the biggest in years. It was almost too deep—jump off anything and it was bottomless. Pure magic. 

Q: What does your off-season training look like? 

A: I try to make snowboarding year-round. Oregon in June and July, New Zealand in August, sometimes South America. In between, I mountain bike, hike, skate, work on projects at home, and hit the gym. Anything that keeps my body moving and strong for winter. 

Q: Favorite meal after a day on the mountain? 

A: Burritos. I love Chipotle, but since it’s usually closed by the time I’m done riding, I meal-prep my own “home Chipotle” burrito ingredients. Not as good, but it does the trick. 

Q: Reading anything right now? 

A: Not at the moment. I’m more of an audiobook guy—listening on road trips at 1.5x speed. I still buy the hard copy afterward, though, so I can stage it on my book shelf at home. One of my favorites is ”The Alchemist.”

Q: Do you have a go-to Backcountry outerwear kit? 

A: It depends. Cottonwoods has been my daily driver, but in New Zealand I tested the Cardiac kit and loved it. Then in Chile I wore the Cottonwoods LT, which was also solid. Honestly, I can’t pick just one—they all serve different needs, and I feel lucky to run them all. 

Q: Gloves or mittens? 

A: Gloves. Always. I need dexterity—for grabbing my board, using my phone, or snowmobiling. Honestly, I’m more of a lightweight glove guy. That probably comes from my halfpipe days, where I stripped layers for mobility even in freezing temps. I like outerwear that’s streamlined, warm, waterproof, and light—gear that lets me move freely. 

Q: How often do you wax your board? 

A: A lot more than Parkin waxes his skis, that’s for sure. Every new board gets three coats before I ride it. Midwinter, I’ll wax every couple of weeks, more often in spring. Back in my halfpipe competition days, I waxed daily—it was part of the ritual. A slow board can ruin your day, so I’ll never let that happen. 

Gearhead Kendall: How many ski and snowboard films have you been involved with so far?
Ana Eyssimont: I’ve been part of a bunch of edits with Line Skis, and I’ve filmed for Snowbird, Alta, and other brand projects. I’d guess maybe five or six films total. I also try to create my own smaller projects, which is always rewarding.

Q: How do film projects rank on your priority list as an athlete?
A: They’re right up there with competitions—maybe first or second. A few years ago, filming was my biggest priority. Creating something from scratch, working with a whole team, and seeing it come together was huge for me. But honestly, the most valuable part has been skiing with incredible athletes. Filming "Ski The Day" was a highlight because I got to learn from people like Parkin, who I’ve always admired. The final movie is important, but the real growth comes from the skiing itself. 

Q: You mentioned how different it is to be part of a film versus producing your own projects. What’s that balance like for you? 

A: When I’m working with a production team, I just get to focus on skiing my best. It’s amazing. Producing my own edits is a goal of mine, but it’s harder—you have to think about storylines, logistics, and how it all fits together. It’s a lot more intentional. Both have their value, but being able to just show up and ski is something I really appreciate. 

Q: What’s your athletic background? Did you grow up skiing? 

A: Not at all! I actually didn’t start skiing until college. Before that, I was a competitive gymnast. That background gave me great body awareness, balance, and made learning tricks easier—I could backflip right away. But I had to catch up on technique and form. I’ve learned a ton just by chasing better skiers around and mimicking them. That’s been my path into professional skiing. 

Q: What competitions are you focused on this winter? 

A: I won Kings & Queens of Corbet’s last year, so I’d love to go back and defend my title. Silver Belt at Sugar Bowl is another favorite—it’s part comp, part film event. I’m also planning on freeride qualifiers, and hopefully the Challenger series. Long-term? Maybe the Freeride World Tour, and who knows—maybe even the 2030 Olympics. I only recently started thinking about that, but it feels like a great goal to push my skiing further. 

Q: How much heli experience did you have before the New Zealand trip? 

A: Very little! I’d flown with Powderbirds outside of Snowbird and once to a hut in Revelstoke, but New Zealand was a whole new level, being dropped right onto knife-edge ridges and massive faces. The guides were incredible, and the freedom we had to ski what we wanted made it a really unique experience. 

Q: How do you split your time between resort skiing, touring, and sled access? 

A: Mid-winter I’m mostly resort skiing—it’s consistent, fast, and I can rack up a lot of laps. Early season and spring I do more touring. I also have a sled, and I’m still learning how to use it properly. It’s definitely intense, but I’ve done some sled-access trips with Line and it’s such a cool way to ski. 

Q: What does your off-season training look like? 

A: A lot! I pedal every week—road biking, mountain biking, or on a trainer. I lift weights, focus on stability, and do plenty of cardio. I also teach yoga, which I practice daily. I used to do ultra runs, but I’ve pulled back a bit on high-impact training to prioritize recovery. And I still hit Woodward for trampoline and air-awareness sessions. 

Q: Favorite food after a big day skiing? 

A: Fresh tortillas. Honestly, I’ll just tear them apart and eat them plain or roll them up. I do love breakfast burritos, too, but really it’s all about the tortillas. 

Q: Are you reading anything right now? 

A: Not at the moment, but my favorite book is ”Born to Run.” It’s not just for runners—it’s an amazing story that I think any athlete would enjoy. 

Q: Do you have a favorite Backcountry outerwear kit? 

A: The Cottonwoods kit. It’s breathable, waterproof, durable, and I love the pink color—it really pops. Perfect for backcountry skiing. 

Q: Gloves or mittens? 

A: Mittens, 100%. I’ll wear gloves for snowmobiling, but I always switch into mittens for skiing. 

Q: How often do you wax your skis? 

A: Pretty much never. Maybe once or twice a winter. My boyfriend waxes his snowboard regularly, so he’ll touch mine up here and there. But on my own? Never.