The Snow Whisperer

Have you ever walked across untouched snow?

There really isn’t any feeling as pure as being the first one to leave footprints on a pristine white surface. Looking out at all that white is like a reset button for your soul, transporting you back to childhood for a little while.

 

   

I found myself completely mesmerized by this one photo. The crisp lines carved by a snowboard are the undeniable proof that someone was there, pushing boundaries and blazing a trail. Meet pro snowboarder Sungwoo Cho, the one drawing these sharp lines across the pristine white mountain canvas.

 

Sungwoo in Nature

Q1. Please introduce yourself for our jentestore readers.

 

Hello. I'm pro snowboarder Sungwoo Cho, and I've been snowboarding for 31 years now. My main discipline is freestyle snowboarding, to be precise, the halfpipe. I've spent over 20 years as a member of the military training team, the Korean Olympic team, and as a professional rider for different brands.

 

  

Snowboarding has been a part of me for over half my life, I’m still living the same lifestyle on the slopes.

   

 

Sungwoo Cho in the Winter

Q2. When did you start snowboarding in nature?

 

It all started back in the '90s when I first got into snowboarding. Back then we had tons of snow even outside the resorts. So while I wasn't exactly hitting the back country, I was definitely making snowboarding a part of my life, even in nature.

 

Q3. It seems like weather changes would have a big impact on backcountry snowboarding. How has backcountry changed the way you see nature?

 

 

Backcountry is a general term for any activity that takes you outside the groomed runs of a resort and into a wider, wilder natural environment.  Out there you have to be constantly aware of weather changes and forecast warnings. You have to know what nature can throw your way and be ready to react immediately.  It's taught me to always be prepared.

 

In winter, because we get good snowfall, I'm always putting in a lot of effort to find good powder and fresh tracks. I try to see a lot of information with my eyes and hear it with my ears. I'm always busy analyzing overall weather patterns and climate patterns. As the climate itself gets warmer and warmer, I do sometimes get anxious and impatient waiting for winter these days, though.

  

Q4. Have you ever had a really challenging moment in nature?

 

One experience that really sticks out is from last year when I went backcountry snowboarding and backpacking in the Tateyama mountain range in Japan (elevation 3,003m).

  

 

“Plan A was to summit Oyama, the highest peak in Tateyama (3,003 meters), but a massive avalanche occurred overnight.  Our group had no choice but to go with Plan B, heading towards the opposite peak, Jodosan, and it turned out to be the right call.  No one had touched those slopes, and we were the first to climb them. That's how I kicked off my first ride of the season.” - Sungwoo Cho (@rangzo)

 

 

I don't think camping in the winter mountains is something just anyone can experience. It's a special experience that’s only possible when the timing, location, and weather all align perfectly. When all of these elements come together you can really enjoy it, but the opportunities to do so are few and far between, maybe only a handful of days in a year. That's why I think winter mountain camping is a really special event in itself, within the overall snowboarding season.

 

  

Q5. When was the most beautiful moment you experienced in nature?

  

I think the most beautiful and precious time is when there's been a heavy snowfall, the clouds clear, and the sun rises in a blue sky.

  

     

Q6. Can you tell us about Rangzo Tour that you lead?

  

I'm very aware of what's lacking in the Korean snowboarding scene, and with the desire to challenge myself I've traveled to various overseas spots. This lead me to want to grow the scene more by educating people through tours and camps.

    

    

Four years ago after the COVID-19 period passed, I began seriously planning Rangzo Tour. It's a process of creating good snowboarding mates to go with me to bigger mountains and other spots that I want to take on in the future. When I feel that I've gathered enough good teammates, I want to pass this on to my juniors.

  

Q7. We're curious about the process of preparing for a boarding camp in the wilderness.

   

The biggest part of prepping for a camp is securing a safe route. I visit the location beforehand at least once to create a comprehensive plan, including the overall route, travel methods, and so on. Then, after choosing the least tiring option, I assess how much fatigue and what kind of variables my crew might encounter, putting it all down in numbers.

   

 

Q8. It seems like you've been to snowy mountains allover the world while running your tours. Are there any places that were especially memorable? Why?

   

Of all the places we're operating in right now, I think the best courses are in Tateyama, Japan and Laax, Switzerland. These spots aren't that well known to Koreans yet but they have a symbolic significance and name value that is recognized by riders worldwide. The plan is to introduce these places to more Korean riders and help them grow.

 

   

Q9. Seems like you have traveled to a lot of countries. Is there anywhere you still want to go?

   

I think I've been to every continent that has snow and resorts, except for Antarctica. My current goal is Antarctica, and I'm preparing to take on that challenge this October.

Oh, and I haven't been to Masikryong in North Korea.

       

Q10. We heard you carry a hefty 60kg of gear with you. What equipment do you always take when you head into the mountains?
      

 

A location tracker (GPS), camera, special winter gear, things like that. Survival gear, rescue equipment, and an SOS transceiver are essential even when I'm just out riding.

Oh, and I always have my GoPro with me. It's practically an extension of my body at this point.

  

Q11. What is your favorite clothing brand?

  

I’m currently sponsored by ARC’TERYX.

  

 

Sungwoo Cho in Summer

Q12. Given the nature of snowboarding, it seems like you'd be close friends with winter. What do you do during the summer?

  

I love snow, but to be honest, I hate winter. I really can't stand the cold. When I'm snowboarding, I generate a lot of heat and sweat, so I don't notice the cold.

 

  

Q13. Do you leave to the Southern Hemisphere during the summer?

  

Yes, sometimes, but things are a bit different now. My little one is still pretty young, and family time is super important to me. So, these past few years, I've been prioritizing hanging out with my family and soaking up those summer days with them. I'm mostly staying put and doing physical training here in Korea.

    

Q14. Physical conditioning seems like it would be crucial. Is your exercise routine different from summer to winter?

  

In the summer, I try to eat as much as possible. I can't eat a lot in the winter. I lose a lot of weight in the winter I just try to maintain my endurance and keep my body flexible.

 

 

Q15. What sports do you enjoy in the summer?

   

When I was a kid, I was obsessed with skateboarding. I rode everyday. These days, I'm all about cycling to keep my endurance up. I've recently gotten into hiking, too. Just easy stuff to connect with nature more and get a better feel for mountain terrain. Understanding the contours of the land and how mountains work is actually really helpful for snowboarding.

  

 

Q16. Okay then, summer mountains vs winter mountains?

   

Winter, of course.

 

Q17. Last question, What is snowboarding to you?

   

I think what makes this sport feel even more special is that at a time when the climate is changing due to global warming, there's something extraordinary about waiting for snow, waiting for winter, and always being prepared.

 

 

Backcountry snowboarding is still relatively unknown in Korea, but it's steadily gaining popularity. Powder boarding is also on the rise.  The enjoyment of nature is a big part of it, but gliding down untouched snow is really like floating on a cloud.

I know some people might think that always pushing the limits and chasing that next adrenaline rush is just recklessness. It's true, the freedom and challenge that snowboarding represents keeps me hungry for more. Honestly that drive, that constant pursuit of something bigger and better, that's what fuels me. It's what gives me energy in life. So I'm just embracing the ride for now, living in the moment and loving every second of it.

   

  

Picture this: a mountain blanketed in thick, heavy snow. It's a pristine white world, and I get to carve my own path through it. Of course, it's fleeting. Like everything in nature, the marks I make will fade and disappear with the wind. But that's okay. We're just passing through, listening to nature's rhythm, and appreciating this moment in time.