Claudia Andersen has been on a snowboard since she was 3 years old. Growing up riding the north island at Turoa on Mt. Ruapehu, I first met Claudia when she was 14 and even back then, her talent, drive, and passion for snowboarding was apparent. Claudia, and her sister Georgia Andersen, have been rippers since childhood.

Claudia’s childhood love for snowboarding was never outgrown. In fact, that very love for snowboarding is what pushed her to pursue work within the industry, becoming a certified snowboard instructor at Turoa at just 17 years old. Claudia has continued to grow as an instructor and has been calling Mt. Hutt home for the past few winters. Her love for snowboarding led her to chase winter year round, doing seasons overseas in Canada, working on Mt. Norquay park crew and teaching at Banff Sunshine. She has gained support from Boardertown, Bataleon Snowboards, Horsefeathers Snow, Spy Optics NZ and Trobe Clothing.

Coming off a hot season in Canada, I wanted to have a catch up with Claudia and get the low-down on last season and what her plans are this season. From Arena Snowparks The Build Up, Nothing in the Pantry’s Creative Surge, two Snowboy Production events (Quest for the Village and Holy Bowly), and more, her northern hemisphere winter was jam packed.

NP: “Claudia, it is so good to catch up with you, can you tell me about your season in Canada?”

C: “It was really sick. There was a lot going on between all the events, working parks, teaching, and working at the board shop. But it was so fun, and overall it was a really good season.”

NP: “How was it getting to participate in an event like The Build Up, building and shaping a park with women from all over Canada? Gail [Abigail Lewis, Arena Snowparks] is a pioneer in the park industry.”

C: “It was super sick. I was nervous and didn’t know what to expect. I’ve always been surrounded by men snowboarding so I was intimidated at first. That immediately changed upon meeting Gail and the other girls. It was everything I could have hoped for. It was so special. I felt so empowered. I didn’t know I could feel that way with so many women. It didn’t feel competitive in any way. It felt so empowering and I am so thankful to have been a part of it.”

Arena Snowparks *The Build Up 2025* Photo by Noelle Kathleen @noellekathleen

NP: “So the park you built at The Build Up was the course for [Nothing in the Pantry’s] Creative Surge, which you ended up winning?”

C: “Yeah, Creative Surge was super cool. There are never a lot of girls competing at events and with Creative Surge we had over 30 girls at the event! It was so sick. One girl did a sick miller flip over a part of the course. We cheered each other on, helped each other out, and it was the most fun I have ever had in a competition before.”

NP: “That’s so awesome to have an atmosphere like that. Have you ever held a giant check before?”

C: “No, it was my first time. I also did not know how to shot gun the celebration beer either haha. I had to ask and it was so embarrassing. The beer went all over my face!"

NP: “That’s hilarious. It’s also super cool your first time shot gunning a beer was on the podium.”

Nothing in the Pantry Creative Surge 2025 Photos: Sam Louise @saamlouise

NP: “Snowboy Productions puts on some of the most iconic events in snowboarding. How was riding Quest for the Village, Holy Bowly and meeting Krush, Smiley & crew?”

C: “It was so cool getting the chance to go to Quest for the Village. The course set up was so sick and I had so much fun on the rails. After Quest, I got invited to Holy Bowly and it was so amazing pulling up and watching all the talent and people riding the course. Howly Bowly was so much fun and the people I got to meet there were so supportive and encouraging. Meeting Krush & Smiley was super inspiring, they have built an incredible community and I felt so lucky and thankful to be a part of it.”

NP: “What are your plans for this upcoming season?”

C: “This winter I have plans to get my level 3 instructors cert, enjoy life, and just have fun riding with my friends. I am calling Mt. Hutt home again this winter and I plan on having a summer in New Zealand to focus on surfing and skateboarding. I have some old knee injuries that I want to focus on rehabbing so I am looking forward to a summer after a few back-to-back winters.”

Snowboy Productions Quest for the Village 2025 Photo: Ali Field @truenorthali

Snowboy Productions Holy Bowly 2025 Photo: Mike Rutter @mikeruttr

NP: “Is there anything else to add?”

C: “I went to an event hosted by Shredcatz and Propaganda Board Shop called Ex Propaganda Takeover where I got to ride with women from all over Canada. We all were different ages [5 to 42] and different abilities and it was so amazing to have everyone join together no matter your skill level. It was such a cool event getting the chance to meet other women in the community who love snowboarding.”

NP: “I love community building events. Grassroots events are the heart and core of snowboarding and it’s awesome to hear about so many women getting involved in the park scene.”

NP: “Thanks so much for the catch up Claudia and looking forward to making it up to Hutt for some laps.”

Catch Up with Claudia Andersen

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