Our next stop takes us back to Canada where the mountains are big and the personalities are bigger. Nikolai is a Carpenter by day and a innovator by night creating a true blend of surfing and snowboarding. How you ask? by creating pads instead of binding for a riding style called noboarding. I had a chance to talk to him about his experiences and the balance that takes place between work and riding.
Name:Nikolai Samson
Primary Location, Home Mountain, or Home Range: Revelstoke BC Canada, in between the Selkirk and Monashee mountain ranges.
Age: Thirty
Primary Solid Board:Flow Solitude for the hill, and a Prior Powstick 176 for when it gets good.
Primary Split Board: Rome notch DIY split with swallow tail cut in.
Preferred Binding System: Almond Mfg white wave traction pads for the down and Spark R and D for the up ( and a bit of down).
Boot: Thirty Two team two
How Long Have You Been Snowboarding Semi-Professionally? I had some low level sponsorships in my early twenties when I was still hucking carcass off cliffs. I not so sure it was what you’d call professional.
How Long Have You Been Splitboarding? 4 years
What Compelled You to Begin Splitboarding? I’d lost a lot of interest in snowboarding on the lifts and I hated my snowshoes. As well as increased interest in the art of the powder turn.
Where has Split Boarding taken you? To many beautiful places not far form my door. A lot of views I wouldn’t have the privilege to see if not for access granted by a splitboard.
Gnarliest or most Extensive Approach for a Single Line: I spend most of my time in the timber. Big alpine kind of wigs me out a bit. I’d like to learn more about the mountaineering side of things.
Ideal Backcountry Day: Waist deep in some old growth timber and a lot of features to bounce off. Good company is also essential. Probably ditch the bags and hike a couple mini golf features too.
Lifetime Goal or Objective, a Line You’ve Been Eyeing for a While, or What Would Be your Dream Trip? Japan has been at the top of my list for a long time. I love the looks of their terrain. Eastern Europe would be cool.
Favorite Backcountry Meal: Something easy thats keeps me powered up. I usually settle for half ass sandwiches.
Favorite Piece of Gear (and Why):White wave traction pads because they make it possible for me to surf the mountain.
Favorite Place You’ve Travelled (and Why): All the cool areas close to home.
Sponsors (if any):Almond Mfg by default
Print/ Movie Appearances (if any): Nothing recent.
Local Causes You’re Passionate About:Food Bank, I’d rather give them money then spent it on useless christmas gifts that people don’t really need.
Other Stuff You Do (music, volunteerism, art, school, etc.): Weekend warrior shredding, Carpentry day job, and Almond Mfg night job.
Website/Blog: www.snowsurf.ca
