SO HEIDA, WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO LAUNCH NIKITA SNOWBOARDS?

I’ve wanted to do that for some time now. Basically, I’m a snowboarder to begin with, and I got into making clothes through snowboarding. So since I have my own brand going on, repreented by snowboarders worldwide and available in snowboard stores, it seemed logical that I would make Nikita Snowboards. The main reason why I didn’t get into it earlier is because I’ve been very busy developing our collections of streetwear and outerwear. I also wanted to work with a very good board manufacturer, who would understand what kind of boards I wanted and in the right quality. It took time.

WHEN AND HOW DID YOU GET INTO SNOWBOARDING?

I’ve been riding since 1995. I used to co-own a snowboard store. I would go riding more or less every day after work, or whenever the mountain was open. There was a free lesson with every board in our shop, so we would be teaching our customers how to ride and then do some runs on our own every night. On weekends I prefer to leave town and head for the best mountains in our country. Ride the resort or hike a bit and get first tracks with friends.

WHAT KIND OF RIDING ARE YOU MOSTLY INTO?

I love powder runs as much as anyone, but I’ve always been into building kickers and try to do new tricks. Slopestyle and freeride, in that order.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE NIKITA SNOWBOARDS?

They are awesome! Ok really, I’m stoked on how they came out. Exactly like I wanted. The Sideway Sista is a freestyle-freeride board. It’s meant to carve well but still be loose enough for you to try any trick you might want to do on your way down the mountain. The Nikita Chickita is a slopestyle board, it’s a bit softer and mainly designed to make it easier for a girl to do tricks in the park or try some rails down- town.

WHAT BOARD WILL YOU BE RIDING?

I’ll be mostly be riding the Nikita Chickita 142 but I’ll also have a Sideway Sista 145 and 153 for all mountain and powder days.

WHAT ABOUT THE COLORS AND GRAPHICS ON THE BOARDS?

Nikita is a girls only label, so the graphics and colors are naturally girly and merchandize well with Nikita Outerwear, but like team Nikita girl Gabby Maiden said “Nikita is more artsy and cool than hearts and lollipops” and I think that really says it all. I studied fine arts myself and I’ve always been fascinated by how snowboards (as well as skate and surfboards) have become the canvas for so many creative people in and around our lifestyle and industry. Art has al- ways been an important part of snowboarding.

WILL YOU BE GIVING A FREE LESSON IN RIDING WITH EVERY BOARD?

Haha yes if a girl brings her board to Iceland I’ll be happy to leave the office and go for a ride!