Vans have recently added two new young guns to their roster, Mia Brookes and Nico Bondi. While in Laax for the Vans HIi Standard a few weeks ago we took a few runs with these two rippers through the park, the pow, and also the skatepark - which they both destroyed. It was good to see these kids psyched on riding powder and stylish snowboarding, rather than just caring about contest results. They do both ride contests, but they’ve clearly got their priorities right when it comes to snowboarding. Keep your eyes on them, because they are the future. Also featuring Alek Ostreng, Maxi Preissinger, Klaudia Medlova and Nikita Sekh.
No one likes doing interviews (especially not kids) but they were both nice enough to tolerate us firing off a few questions before they ran off to go riding again.
Interview and video by Theo Acworth
Photos by Will Radula-Scott
Mia Brookes
How old are you and where are you from?
I’m 13 and I’m from Sandbach, England
What do you think of Nico Bondi?
He’s cool.
You want to elaborate on that?
He’s cool. And Italian.
Who’s your favourite snowboarder?
Lucas Baume aka YungDoli
Favourite trick?
BS9
What do you think of the Vans Hi Standard?
It’s awesome. I won some socks, a jumper, a hat, and 80 francs.
Nice work. Can't beat fresh socks. Was this your first Vans event?
Yes. It was sick.
Tell me something about you that people don’t know.
I like Billie Eilish and mermaids. And Harley Quin.
Nico Bondi
How old are you and where are you from?
I’m 9, from Madonna di Campiglio
Is this the first Hi Standard you’ve been to?
Yes, it was sick.
What’s your favourite trick?
Switch back 5
Least favourite trick?
Front 5
Where are you going after this?
Arlberg for two days shooting with Vernon Deck
What’s better, park or powder?
When I don’t have pow, I ride park. When I have pow, I ride pow.
Is your dad a good follow cam filmer?
He’s good with me because he knows my riding and my runs. But with other riders he’s so bad.
Is Bruno Rivoire a good team manger?
Yeah.
You sure? You don’t have to lie to me.
No, he’s good.