Photo: Anniken Zahl Furunes / @annikenzahlfurunes
Kjersti Buaas isn't like most professional snowboarders. With over 18 years competing under her belt and countless X Games and World Cup medals, she is one of the most successful competitive female snowboarders of all time. She won a bronze medal in the women's halfpipe at the Turin Olympics in 2006, just weeks after recovering from a broken leg.
But now, Kjersti has entered a different stage in her life. In 2012, she said goodbye to her energy drink sponsor because her values didn't align with them anymore. Last winter, she joined the Freeride World Tour, the gnarliest backcountry ski and snowboard competition series in the world.
Photo: Process Films / @processfilms
She practices yoga every day before heading up the mountain. Her Instagram feed is filled with images of splitboarding in the backcountry, camping with friends, surfing and growing her own fruit and vegetables during the summer months.
She's an avid campaigner for global warming and plastic pollution, which is what drew me to her Instagram account in the first place.
Kjersti even set up the world's first zero-waste snowboarding festival in 2013 called Community Cup with fellow snowboarder Chanelle Sladics. Now she runs retreats for adventurous women called PRSNT where campers go splitboarding, practice yoga, learn about mindfulness and how to cook delicious organic food.
We got the chance to catch up with Kjersti to chat about snowboarding, yoga, meditation and how she is inspiring others to live a more eco-friendly life.
HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INTO SNOWBOARDING?
I was first inspired by my older sister who started snowboarding in 1993. I bought a Crazy Banana Snowboard off my friend's sister using money I got from selling my bike. I went on a trip with my whole family and after that, there was no way I was going back to skiing. I was in love.
Photo: Kjersti Buaas shot with GoPro / @kjerstibuaas
HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN AN ADVENTUROUS PERSON?
I've always been adventurous at heart. Our parents used to take my sister and I skiing, snowboarding, hiking and camping when we were kids. We would go to our cabin in the mountains in Norway and set out to conquer the surrounding peaks on cross-country skis and by foot with backpacks filled with hot chocolate and snacks.
I've continued to embrace an adventurous lifestyle into my adult life. I've been competing professionally as a snowboarder for over 18 years, so my schedule during the winter doesn't allow for as much adventure as I would like. I aim to get into the backcountry with my splitboard whenever I can.
One of my favourite trips was with Chanelle Sladics in 2012. We lived on a sailboat in Iceland for a week without any cellphone reception. I was completely captivated by the nature and silence there. We anchored in the fjords, kayaked from the boat to the shore and splitboarded up steep lines. It's the best feeling when you strap in at the top and appreciate the nature around you and the energy you put into every step to reach the top.
This Video Sums Up Everything We Feel About The Outdoors
HOW DOES YOGA AND Organic Food PLAY A PART IN YOUR LIFE?
About 10 years ago, I started doing yoga with Chanelle, Jamie Anderson and a few other snowboarders in the living room after snowboarding. We formed a crew called One Life where the goal was to not take life and snowboarding too seriously.
We spent a lot of time watching documentaries to educate ourselves about our food system. What I saw disturbed me so much, I knew I needed to change the way I ate. Back then, I didn't know what organic meant. Pesticides and genetically modified foods were completely foreign concepts to me.
Now, I believe the purchases I make everyday are my “vote” for what I believe in and what direction I want our society to evolve towards. I want to eat clean food where the seeds are real seeds, not something created in a laboratory. That’s just scary.
Photo: Nikol Herec / @nikaherec
As my food purchases became more mindful, so did everything else I did.
I became more open to yoga. After I visited Bali in 2010, yoga and meditation became natural practices in my daily life. I started doing yoga every day before I went snowboarding. I could snowboard for longer, go further, faster, stronger... It simply gave me more energy and confidence. I feel much more healthy, fit and capable today than when I was 20 years old.
WHAT DOES MINDFULNESS MEAN TO YOU?
To me, mindfulness means making choices I can truly stand behind. I quit my conventional energy drink sponsor back in 2012. Even though I took a large financial hit when making that choice, I stand behind it and don’t regret it.
There's been a big shift in my consciousness over the last few years. For me, snowboarding has always been about having fun and pushing myself, but it's also important to use my platform as an athlete for the greater good. I want young people and everyone to be inspired to live a healthy lifestyle.
I also work with a lot of non-profits like Keep A Breast and environmental organisation Protect Our Winters. I want future generations to enjoy the clean resources created by this earth - and I want them to get to experience lots of deep powder!
Photo: Nikol Herec / @nikaherec
HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT LIVING AN ECO-FRIENDLY LIFE?
Knowledge and awareness is key. I watch a lot of documentaries and educate myself, so I can make good choices based on what is positive for the planet.
I choose good quality products from sustainable sources. I limit the amount of meat I eat and I make a point not to throw away food. I compost when possible and eat organic when I can.
Through out my career, I have always been active in developing snow clothing, boards and goggles with the different companies I have worked with. Since I spend a lot of time outdoors in the snow, I have a deep connection with what I require from the gear. I have co-created my own signature line since 2006 and made a point to combine style with quality and sustainability. By using recycled fabric, we can help reduce the amount of new resources we are taking.
In 2017 I am launching an Eco KJ pants and jacket with the Swedish lifestyle brand, CLWR. I am very excited to launch this snow gear, because we share very similar taste when it comes to fashion, function and sustainability. I want to encourage companies to think about protecting our fragile resources, so the consumer has earth-friendly products to choose from.
YOU SPEND A LOT OF TIME TRAVELLING FOR WORK. HOW DO YOU KEEP UP AN ECO-FRIENDLY LIFE ON THE ROAD?
I bring my own reusables and have the airline attendant fill up my water bottle. That way I don’t have to take a cup every time. Same with cutlery and straws. I use a reusable straw from Simply Straws.
Americans alone use 500 million plastic straws each day. They are only used for five minutes and then thrown away into a landfill. Sadly they also end up in the oceans and fish mistake this plastic for food. I have seen many photos of plastic wrapped around turtles and marine animal's stomachs. It’s really sad.
I always have my To-Go Ware utensil set (which includes a bamboo fork, knife, spoon and chopsticks) in my purse. If you are a coffee drinker, bring your own cup. It’s crazy how much single-use waste we produce everyday, so these simple changes matters.
When staying in hotels, reuse towels and turn off lights. It makes a difference. I love to ride the trains through Europe, so if that's an option I’ll choose that over a car, especially when traveling alone.
Photo: Nikol Herec / @nikaherec
IS THERE A DOWNSIDE TO LIVING A NOMADIC EXISTENCE?
Yes. My lifestyle requires lots of travelling in airplanes. I wish more renewable energy and energy saving technology was available for cars and planes.
When it comes to reducing our personal waste, what we do each day as individuals is an important piece to the puzzle. But it's up to world leaders, governments and big companies in positions to make big decisions to initiate renewable, sustainable solutions. To minimise damage to the planet in the future, we need to act now and start protecting our natural resources.
YOU SET UP YOUR OWN ZERO-WASTE SNOWBOARD FESTIVAL IN 2013. TELL ME MORE ABOUT THAT.
In 2013 Chanelle and I started Community Cup, the first zero-waste snowboard festival in the world. We had an eco village with earth and health conscious partners, like Protect Our Winters and Keep A Breast.
Our goal was to educate people about climate change and prevention of breast cancer. Our bibs were made from recycled materials. We had digital registration to save on paper and other resources.
The goodie bags for the athletes were filled with eco-friendly content, such as reusables and information on how they can use their position as role models to help make positive ripples.
In 2014, we created a documentary around the event called Community Cup. One focus was on how we need to act in order to slow down rapid temperature changes all over the world that are melting glaciers and shutting down ski resorts. You can watch it on iTunes here.
Photo: Nikol Herec / @nikaherec
NOW YOU RUN HEALTHY RETREATS FOR ADVENTUROUS WOMEN CALLED PRSNT, RIGHT?
Yes! The idea behind PRSNT is to create a camp where people can practice presentness through meditation, yoga, eating well and activities like snowboarding and splitboarding. We work with a vegan holistic chef who prepares the most amazing meals.
Our camps are digital-free, meaning no technology like cell phones or computers allowed. It gives you the opportunity to experience what happens when we don’t have those distractions.
We focus on eco-awareness in our daily lives, so the goodie bags are filled with things we believe the campers need to live eco lives.
5 Eco-Friendly Alternatives To Everyday Items
Chanelle and I want to provide a safe space for campers to truly be themselves, to trust and let go of things that no longer serve them. We encourage mindfulness in relation to judgement upon yourself and others.
After each camp there has been at least one person crying tears of joy, because they have either had a big perspective change, made new commitments to their health and happiness, connected with themselves differently or made friendships for life. That brings us a lot of happiness and helps re-establish our purpose here.
Check out www.PRSNT.co for more info and to stay updated on future camps.
WHAT DREAM ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF ACHIEVING AND WHY?
I’m very proud of myself for sticking to doing things I love and creating a profession based on that idea. Your finances aren't as predictable as they are when you have a more stable job, but I'm willing to have that uncertainty in my life.
Snowboarding, being creative, athleticism and pushing myself mentally and physically lie very close to my heart. They bring me genuine happiness on a daily basis.
I know I can’t snowboard professionally for the rest of my life, but I will definitely bring many elements of what I have learnt with me into my next chapters of my life.
Photo: Kjersti Buaas shot with GoPro / @kjerstibuaas
WHAT'S THE HARDEST LESSON YOU'VE EVER HAD TO LEARN?
To let go and not be so attached to my expectations. I can be quite the perfectionist. I've learnt that it’s good to set clear goals and intentions, but also to set them free and be open to whatever the universe gives me.
Once I understood that the universe conspires in my favour, I started trusting and believing more in my own decisions.
IF YOU COULD GIVE YOUR 16 YEAR OLD SELF ONE PIECE OF ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Stay curious and playful. Surround yourself with good people. Your potential is so great and it’s your birthright to release that in any way you desire, as long as your intentions are good.
Showcase what makes you passionate to the world. Educate yourself about nutrition and health, stay fit and respect your body.
Remember to play and smile. Don't take yourself too seriously. Being light and happy feels so good and can open many doors.
Don’t be so quick to judge others, they are probably just as scared as you. Toss away gossip magazines. Make room in your heart to spread love and positivity instead.
You are the decision maker in your life, so choose wisely. Make a point to stop any kind of negativity coming into your space, from others or yourself. Don’t be scared to take on the world, life is too short to not :)
Photo: Gabby Aguirre / @gibblegabble
You can see more from Kjersti Buuas on her website and follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (@kjerstibuaas).
Learn more about Kjersti and Chanelle's PRSNT retreats on their website, Facebook Page and Instagram.
ENJOYED THIS? READ MORE HERE...
Meet The Hawaiian Spearfisherwoman Who Swims With Great White Sharks & Bites Octopus' Brains
Ski Snacks: How To Make The Best Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls