There we were again, early morning of January, standing in the gondola bringing Pede, Dries, and me up the mountains in Laax. That morning I started driving from Zurich at 5:50 am! I think this was my morning record this year (considering that 2020 just had started a few weeks before)! The road was calm, and my music was loud…

Dries was waiting for me at the entrance of the gondola to escort me through the side door as we were going up with the staff gondola. Not sure if you people know Dries? He is a very tall man from Belgium with the most amazing girlfriend and most fascinating dog, Dino. Dries and Kelly met quite a while back, and together, they travel the ocean coasts in summer and enjoy the snow in Laax during winter. Both hard workers and nature lovers are an inspiring couple that will give you the best laughs. Dino, their dog, is as cute as he hates people. Personally, this is what I love most and respect about him. His grumpy look behind his fox shape says: “fuck off humans”. I’m like: “Yeah, puppy, you tell them”!

Arriving up the Crap Sogn Gion, we met Pede, who had spent the night in the shapers room after working late on the slopes last evening. About Pede: If you don’t know him yet, you are missing out on something! Pede is a very discrete person with the biggest heart and the raddest snowboarding style. Together you will share the best conversations, and Pede is a friend you can always count on.

The trio was reunited, and the guys enjoyed observing the romantic landscape. The sun was rising between the mountains peaks while I was running around like a freak with the camera, trying to capture the moment. After my paparazzi euphoria calmed down, we strapped-in to ride down to our first obstacle. It was one of those precious times, when you are with your friends, doing what you love most in front of a breathtaking and noiseless scenery, that you realise how lucky you are… Nothing else mattered, and nothing could take this away from us! I’m not saying that I would get up at 5pm to enjoy the calmness and epicness of the mountains every day (once per year is enough), but I would recommend it to anyone who needs a break from their surroundings. I’m not much of a  person who meditates. I actually hate to deal with myself, I would instead submerge myself with work than having to spend time with myself – but these moments are for sure healing in some mystic way!

The session went smooth and with no injuries. Last year Dries badly bailed on the second obstacle, which kept him off the snow for a while. We finished our shooting with a beer while looking at the shots with satisfaction. Pede and I then joined the rest of the Ride team, who were having a board test day in Laax for burgers. Jah, Laax shaper, and Ride Snowboard family members, grilled for us the best burgers while we enjoyed the sunny afternoon.

Damn, we are lucky! And this how most days up the mountain feel like!!!
– From Nicki, with Love.

Pictures: Nicki Antognini
Words: Nicki Antognini & Laura Fritzenwallner
Location: Laax, Switzerland
Thanks to: Dries and Pede for making this shoot real fun and thanks to Ride Snowboards for the trust and support.