Ten years, countless trips, unforgettable sessions, and a whole lot of good times. HF x Halldór Helgason has been going strong for a full decade, and the stoke is still as high as ever. We caught up with Halldór to look back at the beginnings of atrip line, talk about leaving the business side of snowboarding behind, rediscovering the pure joy of riding, and why good people and good times are still what matters most. Oh, and of course, there's a party coming. Welcome to the HÆLLDECADE!
It's been ten years since you joined us at Horsefeathers. What's the first thing that comes to mind when you look back? And what does it mean to you that we've been together for a whole decade?
Damn, 10 years is actually pretty crazy! But what comes to mind is a lot of good times with a lot of awesome people who are really easy and fun to work with.
Take us back to 2016. Your first atrip collection with us was the start of the whole collaboration – how did it all come together, and what made you want to do it?
Eiki was already riding for HF back then, and he told me you guys were a great crew and really fun to hang out with. When my contract with Nike ended, we started talking about launching atrip together. It sounded like too good an opportunity to pass up.
“I’m so stoked on this new set up with Horsefeathers. It’s one of the few remaining rider owned clothing brands who have full control of what they are doing and who want to give back to snowboarding. Our collaboration on the new atrip line is insane, and I’m pumped about being part of the sick team with Eiki and the rest of the crew!“ — Halldór Helgason, 2018, on the launch of the Horsefeathers atrip line
A lot can happen in a decade. What do you think has made our relationship and collaboration last this long?
Good times and good people.
You’ve seen the snowboard industry from pretty much every angle – as a pro rider, through your own brands and projects, and from the business side as well. Has that changed what you value in the brands and people you choose to work with?
Yeah, for sure. It's a lot of work to try and be relevant in snowboarding and as a business owner. There is so much work that goes into both, so the most important thing is to be surrounded by good people to keep it fun and working.
“I decided to simplify my life and focus on the things that I really enjoy doing, and that's my family and snowboarding. And that's the best decision I've made in a long time.” – Halldór
You’ve spent a lot of time riding, travelling and shooting with the HF crew. When you look back on those years, what are some of the moments you’ll never forget? Any crazy stories?
We have done a lot of fun trips together, but the one that sticks out the most is the Team Week we did last season. The crew and the vibe were just perfect, so we had such a good time. It was definitely not a healthy trip for any of us, but it sure was a fun one.
Is there anyone from the crew you naturally click with on trips?
I feel like we all really clicked together on our last trip, but Ethan Morgan is on the team, and he is one of my best friends, so it's hard to beat that.
Out of all the HF pieces you’ve had over the past ten years, is there one you’d call your all-time favorite? What made that one special?
The 80s-inspired atrip anorak we did definitely stands out, haha. But I'm just so hyped on the HF outerwear now. I feel like the fit on everything and the direction it's going are really on point, and you are really good at getting input from the team, and that's really important.
After this many years of riding in every kind of weather and terrain, what matters most to you in snowboard outerwear?
Looking good, staying warm and comfortable, and HF hooks all those things up for a good price.
What's your favorite piece from the new HF outerwear collection, and what makes it your go-to?
I'd definitely go with the Trent jacket and the Baron pants in black. The fit is awesome, and they're nice and light and warm. For gloves, my favorites are the Boler. They're super comfy and cozy. And when it comes to goggles, I'd pick the Feston. It's a new model, and I'm really hyped on the look, the fit, and the quality of the lenses.
“I just want to be able to enjoy snowboarding forever and hopefully get my kids hyped on it as well.” – Halldór
For a while, a lot of your focus was on the business side of snowboarding with Lobster and YES. Lately, it feels like you’re fully focused on riding again. What brought you back into that mode?
After YES got cancelled from the Nidecker Group, I decided to simplify my life and focus on the things that I really enjoy doing, and that's my family and snowboarding. And that's the best decision I've made in a long time. It felt so nice to just enjoy riding again and not have to think of all the extra business stuff.
You’re still filming, chasing new ideas and pushing yourself. What keeps that drive alive and snowboarding exciting for you?
I managed to delete my expectations and just go with an open mind into every trip with the only goal of having fun, not putting any pressure on myself and just going with the flow.
Is there anything in snowboarding you still really want to make happen?
Not really, to be honest. I just want to be able to enjoy snowboarding forever and hopefully get my kids hyped on it as well.
Where did the idea for Cream Fest come from? Was there something you felt was missing from other snowboard events that you wanted to do differently?
Cream Fest came from the Lobster team weeks we used to do before. We called it Cream Week and got the entire team together and did similar riding as we did at Cream Fest. So when Lobster and YES were out, Monster asked if I wanted to do an event in Iceland, so we decided to keep the Cream Week vibe alive by creating Cream Fest, and it was amazing to see how much everyone enjoyed it last year.
You've had a front-row seat to snowboarding for quite some time now. How do you see the scene today? What gets you excited about where it’s going – and what would you like to see more of?
I think snowboarding is in a good place, and it will always be. And the contest scene too – it's crazy to see all the new creative tricks come in and finally get rewarded. But what I would like to see more of is riders actually getting paid well. For some reason, especially for European riders, it's so hard right now, and I don't understand why.
What’s next for you? What are you most looking forward to – on snow or off it?
I have a bunch of smaller projects that I'm doing next year that I'm looking forward to together with Kuske and Johannes, aka Coach Thunder, so I'm just looking forward to a fun, family-friendly season.
We’re celebrating the anniversary together at the Stubai opening with the HÆLLDECADE party. What would you say to everyone thinking about coming?
Hell yeah, I'm hyped on that! If you're around, come by and hang out with us. I'm sure it will be a good night, and you don't want to miss out. We might even bring the RV Juice back in business.
