Wolfgang Nyvelt is an innovator, a backcountry boss and a true Austrian shred legend. We dove into Wolle's mind as he reminisced about his first time pow surfing and getting wasted on schnapps, plus plenty of other good shit. Read on, ËËËËËËËÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖH!

When did you FIRST strap-in to a shred stick?
1993 was the first time I strapped in.

What was the FIRST snowboard you ever owned?
It was a Burton Air 128, which I got for Christmas. I had just started skateboarding 6 months earlier, I was so hyped!

What was the FIRST snowboard VHS/DVD you ever watched?
I am pretty sure it was Critical Condition or one of the Kemper movies. I am not too sure...
Whose film part did you FIRST froth over and inspired you to shred?
I definitely used to froth over Jamie Lynns part´s, I use to watch them over and over for sure!
When was the FIRST time you decided you wanted to be a pro snowboarder?
I made the decision when I finished my social service here in Mayrhofen, Austria. I was driving an ambulance! I already had sponsors and I thought I should at least give being a pro snowboarder a shot, at the time I was hyped on traveling and shredding with my friends.
When was the FIRST time you went to Alaska and what was it like?
It was the year when I was filming for Absinthe's movie Transcendence, with Beckna and Steve Gruber. We went to Tahoe to shoot with Justin Hostynek for the first time in the States, we had already filmed with him before in Livigno for a bit and then he invited us over to stay with him. After Tahoe we headed to Juneau, AK for 2 weeks. We arrived at the airport and Justin took us straight to the heliport, and we were in the bird two hours later! We got to ride sick lines that day and two days later the weather came in for the rest of the trip. We learned right then you have to be patient up in AK.

What's the most memorable part that YOU filmed and why?
That’s a hard one, they all meant something to me but if I had to choose then maybe Saturation or Optimistic.
When was the FIRST time on an Äsmo board?
The first run was in Whistler, in the Callaghan area. Actually, we built one the year before, which I brought to Nelson, BC on a previous trip, but it was way too wide and heavy! But the next year in Whistler, Brusti (Absinthe co-owner) and I decided to bring it along, as it was bad weather but tons of snow in the trees. The second run I did actually made it into the movie that year! It was definitely one of the most unique feelings I had experienced on snow, everything was new to me. A lot of work went into it but it was worth it. It was all-time in the pow! The shape worked great and I had some amazing days in Whistler that year.


What is the FIRST thing that comes to mind when I mention the Zillertal?
Die Ästhetiker!

What was it like the FIRST time having a child?
It was super cool and we were both so hyped that we had a beautiful baby. The main thing was both mom and Mila were healthy! She wasn’t the only one sweating her ass off that day, that’s for sure!
How was your FIRST time drinking schnapps?
Oh, it was the worst ever, man! It was New Year's Eve and I was16. I actually passed out at 10 pm in my buddy’s basement and woke up the next day in the morning, I missed the whole night. Ha! I said I would never drink schnapps again, but that didn’t last too long.

When will be the FIRST time you are going snowboarding this season?
I am going to ride the glacier in Hintertux in the next few days. It has just snowed over 60 cms so it looks like it’s a nice start to the season here. It is all white up there!

Which film and whose part are you most looking forward to this year?
I am looking forward to seeing Travis Rice's new movie, it's going to be crazy. Of course the new Absinthe movie as well. I’m also stoked to see what Bode Merrill's part will be like, I heard he had a sick year and I'm pretty stoked to see his footage.

Thanks Oli Gagnon for the rad shots! For more radness check out his blog http://oligagnon.blogspot.com