snow TEAM
Andy Monsberger
DOB: 1981-04-16
HOMETOWN: Austria
OTHER SPONSORS: K2, Carhartt, Smith, Hotzone, Pow-gloves, Ästhetiker
Where, when and why did you start snowboarding?
I started snowboarding when I was 14 years old! So it has been 14 years already! I grew up in a little town so skateboarding was at first pretty interesting to me and through that I went into snowboarding! Sideways that’s my WÄy!
When did you realize you want to become a pro snowboarder?
I grew up with my friend Friedl Kolar and when I was 15 years old this guy was already a snowboard pro! So from that time on I just wanted to be a Pro and I was giving all my motivation into that!
What’s your favourite terrain right now and where do you want to improve in the future?
My favourite terrain is the mountain! Just go up and shred what ever is there! This gives me the freedom! I also like Kickers and a good Pipe!
What’s the best/worst thing about being a pro snowboarder?
Best thing is to travel the world meet people with the same passion and being out in nature! Worst thing! Actually it is hard to complain when you are able to live a life like this! But a guess it's that sometimes you kinda have too!!!
Who are your influences in the sport itself and in life in general?
My influence in the sport is the passion I have! And of course my friends I love to share a session with!
What are your goals in the coming seasons?
Since I was not able to ride the last season (08/09) I'm really looking forward to go shred again! I want to bring more skate style into snowboarding on the freestyle side, I wanna enjoy shredding some deep pow and of course film it to be able to share it!
What is your favourite place/resort to ride and why?
My favourite place is my home! I'm from Mayrhofen and over there we have 14 ski resorts! Now I am there since 10 years and I would say I know maybe 50%! So a lot more to explore!!! Yuhu!
Rocky Mountains or Alps?
Alps for sure!
Braveheart or Sweetheart?
Sweetheart!
Ziggs or Snus?
Ziggis.
Beer or Moonshine?
Bingtang.
Steak or Vegimate?
Steak with some Vegis.
Hammock or 5star hotel?
Hammrock!
Any shout outs?
Don’t let the pressure kill your pleasure! Stay true, be you!
Raphi Rocha
DOB: 1979-09-18
HOMETOWN: Au & Oberiberg, Switzerland
OTHER SPONSORS: NDK, IS Design, Drop, Hoch-Ybrig, NBC
VANS SINCE: 2006-01-01
Raphi started first skateboarding when he was 9 years old. A couple of years later, he fell in love with snowboarding. He never did a lot of competitions, because it was never the thing he really liked. Raphi pushed his limits at his local ski resort Hoch-Ybrig with the NBC-Crew. He loves riding in the backcountry, shaping some kickers and to play around with the terrain. Raphi knows a lot of filmers and photographers with whom he works with. For Raphi the best thing about this sport is to have great fun and to shred the whole day with some friends on a nice powder day.