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Snowboarder Silje Norendal on the Olympics, competing in Norway and taco Fridays

By Bruin Belisle

VAIL, CO - MARCH 7: Silje Norendal of Norway during Girl's slopestyle qualifications of the 2018 Burton U.S. Open on March 7, 2018 in Vail, Colorado. (Photo by Daniel Milchev/Getty Images)
VAIL, CO - MARCH 7: Silje Norendal of Norway during Girl's slopestyle qualifications of the 2018 Burton U.S. Open on March 7, 2018 in Vail, Colorado. (Photo by Daniel Milchev/Getty Images) /
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Silje Norendal is an X Games gold medalist and Olympic snowboarder from the beautiful country of Norway. We had the chance to catch up with her after X Games Norway.

X Games Norway just wrapped up in late May and with it, the 2018 snowboarding season. One of our favorite snowboarders, Silje Norendal, put on a hell of a show in front of her home crowd in Norway.

13-year-old Kokomo Murase took home the gold in Norway, throwing down a massive backside double cork 1260. Despite missing the podium in this event, Norendal still put on a show (and don’t be surprised if you see her right back on the podium next season).

The X Games gold medalist and Olympic athlete took the time to catch up with us after the event. Here’s a conversation with one of the top Olympic and X Games athletes in the world, Silje Norendal.

COPPER MOUNTAIN, CO – DECEMBER 10: Silje Norendal #4 of Norway competes in the FIS World Cup 2018 Ladies Snowboard Big Air final during the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix on December 10, 2017 in Copper Mountain, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
COPPER MOUNTAIN, CO – DECEMBER 10: Silje Norendal #4 of Norway competes in the FIS World Cup 2018 Ladies Snowboard Big Air final during the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix on December 10, 2017 in Copper Mountain, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

We start with the Olympics, where the women’s slopestyle event was green-lit even though the conditions were very poor, making the event extremely dangerous. Though the runs should have been postponed, they weren’t. The riders went on and competed through the conditions in a true show of grit and determination.

Bruin Belisle, for FanSided (FS): Let’s start with the Olympics. The Women’s slopestyle event at the Winter Olympics seemed almost death-defying due to the wind and poor visibility. What was it like out there and how were you able to fight through that wind to land an awesome fourth place finish?

Silje Norendal (SN): That whole day was pretty shitty, to be honest. I was scared and confused. The conditions were not great and we ended up with the worst women’s final I have seen in years. The Olympics are a big stage for us and not being able to show our progression after all the hard work we all put in is really sad. We have all pushed ourselves this year to put on a great show at the games.

FS: Thankfully, the conditions were better for the big air event, where the riders put on an absolute clinic.

FS: Outside of your competitions, what is the best part about these big events like the X Games or the Olympics?

SN: Watching other events is my favorite part. Watching other athletes from my country perform is a nice little “escape” from everything else that is going through my head during the games. And of course, the Opening Ceremony is a pretty crazy thing to get to experience.

FS: I couldn’t begin to imagine. What is your favorite non-snowboard X Games event to watch?

SN: Skate street.

FS: Agreed. How about at the Olympics; what is your favorite Olympic event?

SN: Ice hockey and downhill skiing.

FS: A few years back, my friend Jer spent a month in Norway and he still won’t shut up about how amazing the country or the people were. Two part question: 1. What is it like competing in front of the home crowd in Norway, and 2. Is “Taco Friday” a real thing? Or is he making that up?

SN: Taco Friday is definitely a real thing! Everyone in Norway eats tacos on Fridays. Competing at home is both amazing and terrifying at the same time (laughs). I love that my family and friends are able to be there and support me, but it also adds some extra pressure to perform.

FS: It says in your X Games bio that you are a fitness fanatic. What does your training regimen look like leading up to these competitions?

SN: I wouldn’t say I’m a fitness fanatic, but I do like to work out . It’s important for me to be strong going into a new seasons so I can ride lot’s and stay healthy.

FS: What is your favorite hill or mountain to ride on?

SN: I think I have to say Colorado, USA. I spend a lot of time in Breckenridge during the season. From Breck you have four great resorts with amazing parks within a 30 to 40 minute drive.

FS: Do you listen to music while you ride? If so, who/which band is playing in your headphones these days?

SN: I always listen to music when I ride; I never leave home without my headphones and phone. It’s usually top 20 hits.

FS: What advice would you give a 29-year old writer looking to get back into the sport kids looking to get into the sport of snowboarding?

SN: Ride as much as possible, push yourself and always have fun doing it. If you don’t love what you do, it’s not worth it.

FS: Last question. What is next for Silje Norendal?

SN: I have traveled a lot this season, so I’m going to spend most of the summer at home with friends and family. I’m also attending a wedding in Spain, so I’m planning a vacation around that as well.

Much deserved, after an incredible season. Huge thank you to Silje Norendal for taking the time to do this. We here at FanSided wish her an amazing summer vacation and we look forward to watching her compete next season.

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