 Risto started snowboarding at the age of 13 in a small resort called Louekallio, together with Olympic bronze medallist Markku Koski.During his snowboard career Risto has obtained many good results, including many wins in FIS world cup and other snowboarding invitational contests.Mattila participated in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, finishing 16th in men's halfpipe.