Zeal Optics Welcome Kjersti Buuas to the Family

Growing up in Trondheim, Norway, Kjersti Buaas took her first turns before her first birthday. With a family who spent more time outdoors than in, Kjersti made her mark expressing herself on blank canvases, laying her first lines snowboarding competitively at the age of 14. Her best days boarding are when her heart is in harmony with her actions.

With four Olympic competitions under her belt and a bronze from 2006, Kjersti has an edge in the industry that's sharper than most.

“I approach snowboarding with a big focus on expression and energy. I like to define my grabs and truly immerse myself in a trick. It’s just the way I genuinely feel the best on my board,” says Kjersti. “My sister ignited my passion for snowboarding at an early age, and it will always be my creative outlet – challenging me physically, mentally and spiritually.”

Kjersti’s passion has taken her to places unimaginable – from vibrant Morocco and Turkey, to Austria's iconic Arlberg and the waist deep pow native to Japan's backcountry. All these projects fuel her innate wanderlust while immersing her in increasingly technical terrain.

“I'm inspired by cultural differences and unexpected generosity in my travels,” says Buaas. “Protecting the environment is always going to be a focal point in my life.”

But it’s her curiosity and drive that we find most appealing at ZEAL Optics. Putting her love for film and photography to use, Kjersti is in the midst of making a documentary highlighting her career and several ambitious projects like PRSNT Performance Camps in Chile, which aims to combine snowboarding with nutrition, yoga, meditation and more to for a new generations with business partner Chanelle Sladics. Keep a look out for this and more in 2016!