“Must be present to win” has been a staple phrase for guide Justin Befu ever since he began working in Alaska 15 seasons ago. He’s helped his childhood friend Jamie Anderson tackle steep spines while filming for “Unconditional” (2019) and “Reflections” (2023)—noting that she embodies a winning spirit like no other. Now as one of the most iconic snowboarders of all time, she’s redefining what it means to win in the mountains.

In early April, just weeks after securing third place overall at the Natural Selection Tour, Anderson and her one-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Misty, arrived in Knik River, AK, to kick off a month-long, “laid-back” family vacation for her latest film project, “Great Alaskan Adventure.” The project would feature snowmobiles, helicopters, snowboards, surfboards and, thanks to her partner Tyler Nicholson, skiplanes.

While Jamie and Misty traveled by commercial flight, Nicholson and their dog, Luna, made the 1,289-mile journey from Whistler, BC, in his Cessna 180 Skywagon. Joining them were his mentor Rory Bushfield, fellow aviators James Spikes and Peter Smith, and a production crew that included Craig Gouweloos, Zachary Moxley, Duncan Sadava and Mason Mashon, who drove up with his family. Befu rounded out the team, along with Travis Elquist and Michael Neely from Crown Mountain Guides.

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