NAME:
Matti Räty

DATE OF BIRTH / BIRTHPLACE:
September 16, 1988 / Kuopio

SUMMER HOME:
Kuopio, Finland

WINTER HOME:
Kuopio and snowy places.

BLOG LINK:

http://www.nipwitz.com/

WEBSITE:

http://www.mattiraty.com/

RIDING SINCE?
2003

HOME RESORT:
Kasurila, Finland

SPONSORS:
Armada skis and clothing, Battery Energy Drink, Skullcandy, Giro

WHEN WAS THE FIRST TIME YOU SAW SNOW?
My mom showed me some when I still was in her tummy!

IN YOUR GEAR BAG?
I got AR7′s for lapping park and hitting urban, then switching to Pipe Cleaners when I want to hit trannies and finally when the perfect pow day hits I will be rocking JJ’s.

YOUR FAVORITE TERRAIN TO RIDE?
Concrete, pavement, wood, metal, stairs.

WHAT WAS YOUR HIGH FROM THIS PAST SEASON OF 10/11?
Definitely wallriding an old ship at oil harbor and my first trip to Kiruna, Sweden where I saw the most beautiful northern lights.

AND THE LOW?
The moment when the season was over.

FAVORITE SKIER OF THIS PAST SEASON?
Oskari Raitanen, no question about it. If someone does some mindblowing, jaw breaking stuff on urban it’s Oskari.

HOW WOULD SOMEONE ELSE DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE?
Creative and smooth.

FILMING CREW, AND WHAT MAKES THEM YOUR CHOICE TO WORK WITH?
Nipwitz. We are all good friends with different kinds of abilities, so working together is super easy. All of us share the same vision of creating something new and interesting and we all look at spots a little bit differently. So after the spot is finished and ready to hit all the riders have their own tricks on their mind and then we just do them. When you know that the whole crew from the filmer to the skiers to the guys helping in building the biggest spots are sharing the same mindset and passion, you can push your skiing a lot farther than usual.

INFLUENCES IN SKIING:
Tanner Hall because of his desire to get back on skis after the worst injuries and still be on top of the game.

WORST TREND IN SKIING?
Tall tees and quad corks.

WHAT WAS THE MOMENT OF THE BIGGEST BREAKTHROUGH IN YOUR SKIING PROGRESSION?
I didn’t do too well before my third year of skiing! After that season I had learned to ski pipe, do corks, mistys, switch spins and last but definitely not least, I got some style into my skiing.

WHATS PLAYING IN YOUR CAR AND ON YOUR HEADPHONES WHEN YOU RIDE?
I don’t have a car and I like to listen to my friends and nature when I’m skiing.

SKI PIPE & SLOPESTYLE IS OLYMPIC IN 2014. HOW DOES THAT GRAB YOU?
It is a good thing for sure as long as people will remember that skiing is a lot more than just the olympics.

WHAT DREW YOU TO BE APART OF THE ARMADA FAMILY?
I never thought that I would be good enough to get on board with Armada, since the team is packed with the best skiers in the world. So when to opportunity came it was an easy decision to make.

INFLUENCES OUTSIDE OF SKIING?
Eero Ettala, Think Thank crew.

WHAT WAS YOUR MOST INTERESTING JOB EVER?
I have never had an interesting job.

IF YOU HAD TO GO TO A SELF-HELP GROUP. WHICH WOULD IT BE?
Irritable bowel syndrome group; my stomach is sensitive!

BEST NON SKIING RELATED TRIP YOU’VE EVER BEEN ON AND WHY?
Trip to Athens past spring! It was my first time abroad without my skiing gear and I loved every second of a real vacation with no schedules.

THE THING YOU DISLIKE THE MOST?
Some christmas food that we have in finland.

THE THING THAT HURTS THE MOST?
When you get dumped by your girlfriend (never happened to me though, I saw a movie about that).

DO YOU HAVE ANY RITUALS?
No, but I always wear my socks inside out and I don’t take any right turns or watch up before watching down.

LAST DREAM YOU HAD?
Too naughty to be revealed here!

YOUR FIRST CAR?
It will be a good one when the day comes.

ONE THING YOU HAVE TO HAVE?
My hair, couldn’t live without it.

OTHER SPORTS?
Gym, gymnastics, trampoline, platform diving, skateboarding, basketball.

THE LESSON YOU LIKED THE MOST IN SCHOOL AND WHY?
PE and arts, I dig sports and drawing has always been super fun.

WHO IS YOUR PERSONAL HERO?
Rocky Balboa

WHAT DOES CREATIVITY MEAN TO YOU?
Being able to express yourself in your own way.

DO YOU HAVE A SECRET TALENT? IF YES, WHAT IS IT?
I can juggle three balls for a while without dropping them.

YOUR FAVOURITE TV SERIES?
Friends

SHOUT OUTS:
Thanks to every person who has helped me out during my years of skiing! Special mega thanks to Nipwitz filmer/editor/creative genious Aarni Toiviainen for all the great episodes you have done. And last but not least Kenny Powers for the best quotes in the world. You’re f***ing out, I’m f***ing in!