Kjersti Buaas

Kjersti Buaas was born on January 5, 1982, in Trondheim, Norway, where she began skiing at a young age. Her passion for winter sports led her to discover snowboarding in 1994, seeking a more creative outlet for movement. By 1996, she secured her first sponsorship after winning a local big jump contest. This early success propelled her into the international arena, and she won the Junior World Championships in 1999, followed by her first professional snowboard contract and World Cup victory in 2000. Her career trajectory saw her compete in four Olympic Games, starting with Salt Lake City in 2002, where she placed 4th in the halfpipe, demonstrating a unique style with large air to fakie maneuvers.

Buaas continued to achieve significant milestones throughout her career, including a bronze medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, in women’s halfpipe, notably recovering from a broken leg just a week before the event. She successfully transitioned from halfpipe to slopestyle, securing multiple podium finishes in both disciplines. Her achievements extend beyond the Olympics, with participation in numerous X Games and Burton Opens, earning accolades such as “Queen Of Style” from Onboard Magazine and multiple Norwegian “Rider of the Year” awards. In 2012, she won bronze in slopestyle at the X Games Aspen and in 2013, she achieved 1st place in the FIS Overall Slopestyle Champion title.

Throughout her two-decade-long career on the professional Snowboard Tour, Kjersti Buaas has been recognized not only for her competitive success but also for her impact on the sport and beyond. She became the first woman to attempt a 1080 in an X Games big air final in 2017 and was among the first women to land a frontside 1080 on a jump at Nine Queens in 2015. Beyond competition, Buaas has actively engaged in film projects, documentaries, and TV shows, and is an advocate for environmental causes, working with non-profit organizations to promote human and environmental health. Her influence is evident through coaching at the 2018 Olympics for Slovakia and her continuous efforts to make a positive impact.