From the steep slopes of Corbett Couloir to the vast bowls on the west side of Mount Bachelor, Marissa Krozak ( @bigmountainmarissa ) is always on the hunt for new lines and fresh snow. As an avid splitboarder and mountain bike fanatic, Marissa thrives on the mountains no matter the season. As summer draws to a close and winter approaches, we spoke to Marissa about her off-season routine, her latest video project with Jones, and what inspired her to pursue big mountain lines.
Hey Marissa! How are you?
Hello! I'm doing great. I just finished shopping at the grocery store.
Haha. Great! What's for dinner?
I'm trying something new tonight: a jackfruit and purple rice burrito.
That looks delicious! Besides new recipes, what else is new in the world of @bigmountainmarissa?
The bike park is closed for the season, but I've been spending my days digging lava rocks at Mount Bachelor, helping to build new bike trails for 2024. I'm trying to stay healthy and out of trouble. Other than that, I've been enjoying the cool weather and the amazing film and editing that was shot last winter.
Yes, I'm definitely enjoying the cooler weather. It's going to be great spending time in the mountains. Did you have any memorable experiences this summer?
Yeah, I worked at the resort. I drove the bus and bike trailer for the Kids Gravity Camp, sold tickets part-time, and built trails with Dirt Mechanics after the resort closed. It's so nice up in the mountains, away from the chaos of town. The weather was also impressive: riding in the dust of Mount Bachelor, digging in the smoke and heat, and finally rain! It was my first time riding a downhill bike, and my goal was to ride the lifts as much as possible. I achieved that and had so much fun at the bike park all summer, it's unforgettable. Now I'm ready to pow surf and split my way up the mountain before the lifts start rolling. There's nothing like an early-season storm!
"Whatever you're doing, give it your all, 100%."
That's a great way to spend time! Did you go to the Hood this summer?
Yeah, I went there in July with some of the Jones team. We tested out new board shapes, skated off peaks, hiked half-pipes, and enjoyed some fresh sunset turns. Plus, we swam in some classic swimming spots and did some whitewater rafting. I really love biking that way, so I spent some time there on my days off. I originally moved to Hood from Michigan, and a lot of my friends live and visit, so it feels like home when I'm there.
That must have been an amazing experience, enjoying the natural beauty of Mt. Hood with the Jones crew. You've been pretty involved with Jones over the past few years. Is there anything you can share about recent product developments, projects, or content?
I've been riding Jones boards for the past few seasons and they've made a huge difference to my riding. Jeremy is incredibly passionate and meticulous about shape design, and it shows in the performance of his products. There are several new redesigns and shapes coming out, including the lightest cambered splitboard ever. I'm also excited to see the women's outerwear hitting the shop this fall. I'm also excited for the new episode of Antti Autti's freeride series, which I shot last winter for some women's product content and was lucky enough to have a small part in.
Marissa's pre-ride ritual: stretching the night before, good sleep, coffee, a big breakfast, good music, positive conversation and breathing exercises.
That's amazing! There's no denying that products with Jeremy's name on them are top-notch. We can't wait to see the new shapes and models. Where did you travel and shoot last season? Are there any particularly memorable trips or stories?
I've traveled quite a bit. I've spent a lot of time in Mammoth, where the Jones media team (Greg Weaver and Andrew Miller) live, and I've also skated the park in Big Bear. In December, I went to Cooke City for the Jones team's avalanche refresher, staying in a cabin for a few days and learning safety tips from Murph and Clark. I also had a great time building the BrainBowl in Baker with Max Warbington and the Tre Squad. We had a ton of snow, and I snowboarded for 18 straight days.
You've had a fantastic season. What is your ratio of resort days to backcountry trips? Do you have a preference?
My season is roughly split between resort days and splitboarding. I'm a big fan of lifts, but I also love going out of bounds and exploring. Riding in a variety of conditions at the resort helps hone my technique. It's all about balance, but if I had to choose, I'd choose splitboarding.
When did you get serious about splitboarding? What advice would you give to beginners?
I started splitboarding seriously after ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) surgery. Start with high expectations, get used to your gear, practice your transitions at home, and take the time to prepare. This will help you adapt to the changing conditions on the mountain. Avalanche knowledge is also important. At first, I learned by digging avalanche pits with friends and by reading books and watching YouTube. I later took a formal course. Ultimately, just look out for each other to protect yourself and your teammates, and enjoy the adventure.
Slow and steady is great advice because conditions can change quickly in the backcountry. Is there anything in particular you're looking forward to about this season? Do you have any plans or goals?
I'm really looking forward to snowboarding this season! I can't wait to see what the PNW (Pacific Northwest) has to offer this year. I want to be flexible with the weather and make the most of the good gear and outerwear I have. There are some lines in Central Oregon that I've been eyeing for a while, so I'm hoping to fill them in and shoot them this year. Other than that, I want to spend as much time as possible splitboarding, especially alpine riding. Staying healthy, ready for anything, and having fun on the steep alpine slopes are my main goals.
Have fun in the powder! Thanks for your time, Marissa. I'm looking forward to boarding with you this winter. Is there anything else you'd like to say or thank you for?
Thanks Yo! Tactics!
