Markku Koski
Markku, state your full name.
Markku Koski.
How old are you and when is your birthday?
I'm twenty, October 15.
How long have you been snowboarding?
For ten years now.
Who were you snowboarding with at first?
When I started snowboarding, I was riding mostly with Risto Mattila, Sami Makela, Tuomas Kaattari and my brothers Jukka and Janne.
Who were some early influences on your snowboarding?
The first guy I remember looking up to was Kai Tuomikoski.
Do you enjoy contests now?
Yes, if it's a jam format with a relaxed atmosphere.
How could contests be improved?
There should be a rule that every contest be in a jam session format--even the qualifications. Other than that, I can't really imagine anything else besides more prize money.
How was your experience in the Olympics?
Oh, that was good.
Did you have fun out there?
Oh yeah, totally. The pipe was super good and we got to ride it for five days. All the organization was super good.
What is good / bad about being a pro?
Well, I don't consider myself a pro rider. When I get to the level I think I can get to, I'll start calling myself a pro snowboarder. Sometimes I feel like I'm riding good, but the next second, some amateur takes me down to reality by doing some crazy trick. That's why I don't consider myself a pro.
What do you think of snowboarding videos?
They are cool, but I hope it starts to be more like in skateboarding, where companies make more videos. I think they'll improve a lot in the future.
Do you enjoy shooting video parts?
I've only been shooting with my friend so far, but at least that has been super fun--not one stressful day.
How did you get on ThirtyTwo?
I don't really know. I was doing this contest in the States (Gravity Games) and I think Joni and Jussi talked to Eddie for me--it was kind of a long process.
What do you like about ThirtyTwo?
The image.
During you career of traveling in snowboarding and doing all of the contests, which mountain is your favorite to ride?
I think I like Mammoth the most, because there's pretty much everything--ramps, kickers and pipes. When I went there, it wasn't too crowded the way Snow Summit is so crowded--that's why I like Mammoth.
What are your plans for next year?
I don't know yet, but hopefully I can go film and ride a lot more than last year. I didn't go to the contests last year, so I didn't get time for riding. Hopefully, I'll do more pipe training next year so I can go ride in the contests.
Do you have a trainer that you train with for the ISS contests or the FIS contests?
No, but if I ride with someone, he's my "coach" then--whoever I ride with.
What type of terrain do you like to ride the most?
Just a park, or a street--kickers and rails are the most fun. I don't usually go backcountry riding much.
Not much powder in Finland, huh?
Nope (laughs).
So, how long are you on the road throughout the year?
I don't know, like, half of the year. So, 180 days, probably.
Living out of your bags?
Yeah, that's still okay--it's not bad at all. It's so much better than sitting in school.
What inspires you to get up in the morning and go snowboarding?
I've been doing this sport for so long, that it's kind of like what I'm always used to doing and it's so super fun and just, something...I don't know exactly what.
Do you try to learn new tricks from looking at skateboarding videos? Are you inspired a lot by skateboarding or any other sports like moto-x, surfing or anything like that? Do you use that to take your snowboarding to the next level?
Um, I don't see it like that, because skateboarding is so different from snowboarding. You can't do any kickflips with snowboards (laughs). So, I basically just watch snowboard movies and magazines and stuff like that and try to learn new stuff from there.
Who do you snowboard with now?
With all the Finnish guys, Natasza and teammates.
Who are your favorite snowboarders of all time?
Kevin Jones is super good, but it's kind of hard to mention just one guy. I heard Terje was pretty good, too.
What have been the highlights of your snowboarding career?
No injuries, and I've been able to travel all over the world.
What do you enjoy besides snowboarding?
Tennis, filming, carting, PS2.
What's your advice to the younger kids out there who are trying to pursue snowboarding as a profession?
I don't think they should even think about that--just have fun, go ride and don't think about getting sponsored or anything. If it happens, it happens--you shouldn't worry about that too much.
All right. Have a good 2002-03 season.
Thank you.