episode Fifteen
Ep 15 – Falls Creek to Japow: Tommy “Tomba” Costa on Ski Culture & Legends
In Episode 15 of Only Friends on a Pow Day, we sit down with Falls Creek freeski legend Tommy “Tomba” Costa, live at the SIA Australia Tradeshow in Canberra. From mogul competitions to freestyle sessions, guiding Shaun White and Tanner Hall in Niseko, and decades of influence on Australian and Japanese ski culture, Tomba’s story is a wild ride through skiing’s past, present, and future.
Tommy Costa, better known as Tomba, is a name etched into the fabric of Falls Creek and Australian ski culture. From his beginnings as a mogul skier to pioneering freestyle style in the 90s and 2000s, Tomba brought flair, creativity, and authenticity to the slopes.
But his story goes far beyond Australia. In Niseko, Japan, Tomba became the go-to guide for visiting legends — including Shaun White, Tanner Hall, and a host of pros who wanted to experience Hokkaido’s legendary Japow. He shares raw insights into guiding at the peak of the ski boom, from powder days to chaos-filled nights.
Recorded live at SIA Australia 2025, this episode dives into:
🎿 Falls Creek freestyle & mogul roots
🏔️ Guiding Shaun White, Tanner Hall & global ski icons in Niseko
🍶 Culture, chaos & why Tomba still skis for the love of it
🎧 Gear talk (K2 Reckoners, Pettitors, XTM Outerwear)
🔥 Reflections on ski life & keeping the stoke alive
Whether you’re a snow industry insider, a freestyle enthusiast, or just frothing for pow day stories, this is one you don’t want to miss.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your pods.
#OnlyFriendsOnAPowDay #FallsCreek #Japow #SIAAustralia #FreestyleSkiing #SkiCulture #ShaunWhite #TannerHall #SkiPodcast
