What's new with Daniel Hanka? Where is he riding right now, and what is he working on? In our interview, we talked about his season, plans, freeski trips, and his signature jacket, the Chuck Danihell, which he created in collaboration with Jakub Karlík (@yakokarlik). How did this all-black masterpiece come to life, and what does he love most about it? Find out in the interview!
Hey Daniel, let’s start with a quick update – how are you? Any news?
A few weeks ago, I was in the mountains and unfortunately messed up my back. I had to return, see some doctors, and take it easy for a while. Luckily, it’s all good now, and in a week, I should be heading back to the mountains. It was a bit of a setback, but now I’m excited to get back out there and hopefully film some footage. On top of that, I’ve got the G-Mon Airlines event coming up, and I’m also organizing my own event Invitational in Deštné, Czech republic, which will take place from March 31st to April 6th. Right now, I’m mainly focused on that, and after that, I hope to hit up Austria for some more riding and stretch the season into spring!
And where are you based at the moment?
Right now, I’m in Prague, but I often head to Deštné in the Orlické Mountains, which is my home resort. It’s about an hour and 45 minutes away, but thanks to the new highway, the drive is much smoother now. So whenever I can, I go there as often as possible!
At the beginning of the year, you and Šimon released another episode of Czech Mate. What’s the plan for future episodes? Are you working on something new?
Unfortunately, we’re not planning another episode of Czech Mate this season, as Šimba has a packed schedule, and we just couldn’t make it work timewise. But I’m hoping to film and produce something more substantial than just an Instagram reel. We’ll see how it all comes together!
Do you have any big ski trips in mind that you’d like to do this season?
I don’t have anything specific planned yet. My next trip is to Innsbruck, and at the end of March, I have to head back to Deštné, where we’ll be building the park for the Invitational. After that, I’d love to go somewhere else, but I’m not sure where yet. I’ll see where the season takes me!
The Invitational is probably taking up most of your time and energy right now, right?
Yeah, definitely. We’ve already locked in the location in Deštné, where we’ll be building the snowpark, but I still need to put together the riders, filmers, and sort out all the logistics. So it’s pretty intense, but I believe it’s going to be worth it!
Let’s talk about your signature jacket, Chuck Danihell. How did the whole design process go? Did you know exactly what you wanted from the start, or was it a work in progress?
I always have a clear vision – I’m into horror aesthetics, darker themes, and black-and-white details. I had a ton of ideas, but in the end, we decided to go in this direction. I loved the dark vibe, the bold font, it just felt cool to me. We also considered different color variations, like adding green details, but in the end, we stuck to the classic black-and-white look, which gives it the perfect vibe.
The jacket is the result of your collaboration with designer Jakub Karlík – how did your creative process work together?
First, I explained to Jakub what I like, the values I stand for, and what I wanted the design to express – it had to match me, my riding style, and my overall vibe. I sent him a bunch of inspiration – album covers, artwork from different artists, and things that inspire me – so he could absorb the atmosphere and understand what I was aiming for. Then he came up with a few design drafts, and I either hated or approved them, haha. I’m sure working with me wasn’t easy because I have a very clear vision, I’m a perfectionist, and I pay attention to details. We wanted to keep the design as simple as possible but still bold and impactful – and I think we nailed it!
So, are you happy with it? Did it capture your all-black vibe?
Yeah, 100%! It’s exactly that dark, mysterious vibe I wanted. The figure on the throne has this eerie presence, holding a cross made of broken skis, which everyone can interpret in their own way – maybe even as a sword. The font also carries that dark, undefined energy, perfectly matching what I’m into. And when I imagine it with some old-school Black Sabbath playing in the background, it’s spot on.
What are the main features of this jacket that every rider will appreciate? And what do you personally love about it the most?
This jacket is timeless. A black classic that never goes out of style. It has a high collar, looks great, and I love riding in it unzipped because it gives off that stylish, laid-back vibe while still being super comfortable. I can also roll up the sleeves, which I do a lot, and it just works perfectly with this jacket. If you zip it up and layer it with a hoodie, you can ride in it even when it’s not exactly +15°C outside. And the absolute best part? The sleek design—you can rock it in the city with jeans, and it still looks super cool.
Would you do a similar design collaboration again in the future?
Absolutely! And we’re already working on something for next season. It’s going to be another Chuck jacket, but with a completely new design. This time, we’re also adding T-shirts and a hoodie, making it an even more complete collection. The best part? It’s going to be a collab with an American artist, and how we connected is actually a pretty interesting story… but I’ll keep that under wraps for now!
To wrap it up – quick shot round!
Best street spot you’ve ever ridden?
Oregon.
Your top freeski inspiration?
Old-school freeski videos. I’m not really into the current scene.
Song that plays in your ears the most while riding?
Hard to say, but when I need motivation, Motörhead – I Got Mine.
Biggest crash you’ve had so far?
On Stubai, during Prime Session, when I broke my arm. I flew about 30 meters headfirst and honestly thought I wouldn’t make it.
Best food you’ve had recently?
Probably running sushi.
If you could ride only one setup for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A whole mountain just for myself – with natural jibs, big kickers, and fast runs.
