EVO GEAR

My newest sponsorship is defiantly the coolest shop out there! Evo Gear’s shop is in Seattle (my home town- REPRESENT!) located in the heart of the most happening area downtown. I am honored to become a part of this family because their values represent mine so closely. Evo carries the most stylish brands, involves the community, and is growing quickly!

“It is no mistake that our location is a venue, art gallery, and retail space all wrapped into one” -evo.

A year ago when I was paying a visit to Seattle, I took my friend from Japan, Yutaro, to an Evo party. They were premiering a snowboard flick where the pro’s traveled around snowboarding, surfing, and skating. Yutaro had a blast drinkng as much Seattle mircobrew beer as he pleased, hanging out meeting tons of people, and getting photos with the “pro’s.” Later Yutaro wrote me a letter and said, “I don’t like American party, I LOVE American party!” -Thanks evo for showing us how it’s done.

Here is my interview with Evo crew member Molly Hawkins…

my interview with Hannah Whitney

AS FAR as I can remember, I met Vanessa in the summer of 2008 at a pool party here where we both live in Utah.  The ski community here is remarkably large.  I guess that’s what comes as a result of so much amazing snow and resorts crammed into one area.  But what is even more notable is the female ski community.  There are so many chicks ripping around the Wasatch, its hard to keep track!  Luckily, Vanessa and I have a common vested interest in She Jumps, so I was able to get to know her better this past winter and at the 2009 She Jumps Retreat in Zion National Park.  Here are some of the great things I learned about her!

Her full name is Vanessa Michelle Nicon Aadland, although Vanessa was not her first chosen name at birth (ask her what it was when you meet her!)  Nicon is Vanessa’s mother’s Greek maiden name and Aadland is Norwegian, and is pronounced ‘Oo-land.’  Vanessa is also known by some as Ness, V, V-card, Vanay-nay, and Sunshine.  On the She Jumps retreat we came up with Nicon, Ooly, and VA (mostly because nicknames are good when there are 2 Vanessa’s, 2 Lynsey’s, and 2 Jessica’s!).  She was born on June 22, 1988 making her a Cancer sign. —Hannah Whitney

Hannah Whitney: Where did you grow up?
Vanessa Aadland: Kirkland, WA.

HW: What were the best three things about growing up in Washington?

VA: 1) My family’s lifestyle, we were always very adventurous and outdoorsy.  We never just “vacationed,” we went on big trips, like climbing Mount Saint Helens when I was really young.

2) There are so many rippin’ mountains within 2 hours, like Alpental, Stevens Pass, Crystal, and Baker.  Not to mention Whistler was only 4.5 hours away!

3) On top of the amazing mountains, we also had easy access to the ocean.  We’d travel to the coast for camping trips and it was always so beautiful!

HW: What is your sport (or sports) of choice?

VA: Foosball!  Okay, okay, I guess I like skiing too…Freeskiing.

HW: If you can’t be skiing, what would we find you doing?

VA: I enjoy trail running and backpacking to be in the outdoors and stay in shape.  And dancing!  I LOVE dancing!

HW: So do you listen to music when you ski?

VA: Yes, but this is a sore subject.  Music is a big part of my life, but the hard drive went out on my iPod!

HW: What kind of music might be on that iPod when its fixed?

VA: I love sweet beats and instrumental music.  My brother introduced me to some unique alternative music, some from the northwest, and I also like listening to rap and R&B to get me moving!

HW: When did you move to Utah?

VA: In the fall of 2007.  I was dropped off at Alta in Little Cottonwood Canyon with no car to live and work at Alf’s which is mid-mountain.

HW: Why did you pick Utah?

VA: I was ready to change it up.  I was interested in both Alta and Whistler, but going to Canada required a work visa, so I decided to go with Utah.  It was a good move!

HW: What was the best thing about living at Alta?

VA: The access to skiing…obviously!  And it was a SICK snow year!

HW: How about the worst thing about living there?

VA: Living where you work.  And by that I mean IN THE SAME BUILDING!!!

HW: Do you check your ski days at the end of the season?

VA: No, I’m not that into stats.

HW: Can you share some of your short and long term goals for skiing?

VA: 1) Make sure I’m ALWAYS having fun, the same way I did skiing as a kid!

2) Keep progressing and getting better.

3) Learn and know my personal limits to keep myself strong and safe.

4) Share my passion with others, like through She Jumps!

5) Learn more avalanche safety, I’ve had two scary avy experiences (feel free to ask about them  if you want!).

6) Do some big mountain competitions, and hopefully do well and learn a lot from them.

7) Always follow my passion in life, which may mean going to college someday, but that hasn’t been right for me yet.  I’ll know when I’m ready, and right now I’m enjoying living life fully!

HW: How did you find out about She Jumps?

VA: I had a friend who knew Claire Smallwood, the executive director, and suggested I look her up when I came to Salt Lake City.  Of course, I ran into her on the hill at Alta before we even planned to meet up!

HW: What sparked your interest to get involved with She Jumps?

VA: A bunch of girl skiers?  Hell yeah I’m in!  It seemed like the perfect way to meet rad girl skiers, and accomplish some powerful things together.

HW: We’re driving back from the 2009 She Jumps retreat in Zion National Park, how are you feeling?

VA: I feel really empowered by all these successful women.  We’re excited to use each other’s experience to create more success together with a common goal in mind.  I was very honored to come on this trip.  It was so much fun, and I’m excited to  get back and really start sharing our plans for She Jumps with others.    Something I like about other people is when they can make you feel comfortable enough to be yourself, and I strive to make people around me feel that way.