Finn Bilous needs no introduction in the ski world. Homegrown in Wānaka, snow, stoke and style have been Finn’s daily bread since he was knee-high and knee-deep in powder.
Last year, we kicked off our partnership with a limited drop of the Finn Bilous Yotei Classic. This season, we’ve once again knocked design brains with Bilous on a sweet new collab: the limited-edition Finn x Mons neckwarmer. With a double-wide fit and a nod to Wānaka’s home mountain, it’s the perfect blend of Finny B style and Merino performance.
So, we thought, what better opportunity to sit down for a yarn with Finn on what’s happening in his world, both on and off the planks.
You’ve been on the mountain since you could walk. After all these years, what keeps you excited about skiing?
After chasing the Slopestyle and Big Air circus around for years, these days I simply love exploring new zones in the backcountry and connecting with people in their local communities around the world.
How would you describe your approach to skiing?
Hmm. I’d say educational. Skiing has been such an incredible teacher to me in life, both on and off the mountain.
What do you think defines your style on the slopes?
Probably a fusion of elements from a lifetime on skis. I spent a lot of time in my younger years in the terrain park and ripping around Treble Cone, and now in recent years, that’s given me a platform to merge those disciplines. I love the challenge of doing tricks off untamed natural terrain.
How do you measure progression for yourself?
When I was younger, progression generally meant learning new tricks. Now that I’m older and skiing has been such a constant throughout my life, I try to treat progression more holistically. I’m far more open with how I measure growth – as long as I’m learning, I’m moving forward. And that isn’t confined to just tricks. It’s also learning about snow science and safety, scouting new zones, first aid, driving snowmobiles, producing films, design work with brands, and so on. This shift in perspective has made skiing feel pretty limitless to me. It seems like there’s always something new to learn.
What’s getting you fired up at the moment?
Living in Canada! We’ve just had an insane month of skiing in Interior, BC, to start the 2026 northern hemi winter. It seems like there’s skitz terrain everywhere I look. I’m stoked to explore more!
What’s something people would never guess about you?
Oh, I just learnt to drive a digger before leaving New Zealand. Only a small fella, but shit I’m hooked! Keen as to get better at shifting dirt around, haha. Respect to digger drivers. True artists.
The most recent photo on your phone?
First rip on the new waffle iron this morning that I was gifted for Christmas. Goes pretty hard.
What’s the most popular item in your fridge, and what’s your go-to snack for missions?
Choccy Milk in the fridge, Clif Bar and Red Bullllllll for missions.
What makes a brand partnership feel genuine to you?
Using gear that you believe in, sharing core values and having trust in the people that you work with.
Why does Mons make sense for the way you ski and for you as a person?
Firstly, a brand that was founded in and operates from Wānaka – the same place I was born, grew up in, and still live in today – has obvious synergy. I love being able to pop into the office when I’m home to check out new products, work with the team and figure out how we can continue to improve the garments. I truly believe in the product and have worn Merino every single day since I graduated from those awful, bright, stripey Warehouse polyester thermals I had as a kid. Shit, those things were itchy… thank God for Merino.
How important is material choice when it comes to your gear?
Essential. I think especially now that I’m spending more time in the backcountry in winter, you can find yourself in fairly remote locations. If you don’t have gear that performs, things can go from bad to worse really quickly. I trust Merino because it keeps me warm, while also being breathable. That’s crucial to me when I’m spending long days moving around the mountains in fluctuating temperatures.
How did the idea for your signature neckwarmer come about?
I’ve always liked to ride with my neckwarmer right up over my nose, tucked into my goggles to protect my face from the elements. Especially in NZ, where the UV rays can be pretty intense due to our thinner ozone layer. I find that often when you first get a neckwarmer, they can be really tight around your neck and can feel restrictive on your breathing when you’re riding with it the whole way up. Over the past year, I’ve actually been sewing an additional compartment into my neckwarmers to widen up the tube. I took it to the team at the Mons office and suggested widening the tube for people who also like to ride with their facemask fully up, and they were super receptive to my feedback. Hopefully people like it and I’m not just some buzzy unit that runs my neckwarmer like Darth Vader.
What did you want the design to represent?
Given mine and Mons Royale’s connection to Wānaka, we thought it’d be cool to integrate a piece of home into the design. So, we decided to use a topographic map of the summit rocks of my home mountain, Treble Cone. TC was where I learnt to ski, and has had a huge influence on how I ski and read the mountain. We landed on the black/grey aesthetic to keep the design subtle, with hints of blood red in the logo lockup and topo grid lines. I'm stoked with how it came together and am excited to see it out in the wild.
What excites you most for the season ahead?
Every season, I’m just stoked to see what unfolds. There’s so much unknown going into winter for me these days, and I love the spontaneity that comes along with that. I’m excited to see who I get to meet, to connect with old friends and new, and to see where my skis take me around this wonderful wee world.
Thanks Mons Team!
Finny B.
