In the first of a series of mini interviews with the Nikita riders we ask Vera Janssen whether she prefers snowboarding or sex…amongst other things.

First up, where are you from?
I’m from Kempen, Germany… a town close to Düsseldorf, Cologne, and Holland… In winter I live in Whistler, BC, where I’m the only girl filming for Alterna Films. Check out Elektro – the 2009 release!! Watch the teaser here.

How long have you been riding and what got you into it?
I first snowboarded in 1990 when I was on a ski vacation in Austria with my family. I had seen someone on a snowboard and wanted to try it and my dad thought it was interesting and let me…

Where’s your favourite place to shred?
I love Whistler, I feel so much at home there. But I also love Mammoth for park riding – their Southpark is one of the funnest places ever! I have had so many great days with friends in that park! But the BC backcountry is definitely my all-time happy place!

What’s the best thing you’ve got from snowboarding?
Freedom and individualism! I’ve also met very good friends and other interesting people, seen some of the world’s most beautiful mountains, glaciers, and landscapes, and found a surrounding, in which I can truly be myself…

Who inspires you?
Gigi Ruef, Matt Beardmore, Tadej Valentan, Romain De Marchi – to drop a few names… People with incredible board control and big mountain knowledge. People that can ride any terrain. People that bring park tricks into big mountains. People that are obviously having such a fun time on their board that their excitement is contagious to others. This winter I got really inspired by the “Godfather” Martin Gallant, who moves around so comfortably in the Whistler backcountry, his “backyard”, that it is very impressive to witness. But I get inspired by anyone who shares my passion for shred, who tries out stupid, funny things, and who laughs loud…

What’s your biggest fear?
Avalanches and injuries…

If you had to save one possession from a fire, what would it be?
Laptop… it has so much info on it…

What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
Indulging in herbs

Who would play you in the film of your life?
I barely know any actors, sorry..

Tell us a joke.
Two senior partners at a law firm are having their monthly lunch together. As they are trying to find subjects apart from work, their conversation turns to sex.

“After all these years, sex with my wife is getting pretty boring. There is just no more thrill to it…”, complains one.
“Why don’t you try the other hole, my friend?” suggests his partner.

Two months later during their lunch again, they come back to the subject.
“So, did you do it? Did you try it?” curiously asks the one partner.
“Yes I did, but things have even gotten worse now! Now she’s pregnant!”

QUICKFIRE:
Park or pow? Pow
Frontside or backside? FS
Kicker or cliff drop? Cliffs :)
Baggy or tight? Baggy on snow, tight at night
First lift or last orders? Last orders and first sled tracks.. too many skiers around for first chair ;)
Band or DJ? Metal band, please!
Surf or skate? Skate skate wake skate
Sean Connery or Roger Moore? Jason Statham
Chocolate or alcohol? Alcohol although I haven’t had any in 5 weeks :)
Snowboarding or sex? I get tons of snowboarding so I’m going with sex on this one

SHOUT OUTS:
My parents and brothers, everyone on the Alterna crew, Tim Boyer for believing in me, my friends for putting up with me, and my sponsors!

SPONSORS:
Nikita, Nitro, Dragon, Deeluxe, Pow, Ogio, Osiris, Sueno-s