While her first ride may have been a surfboard, the Kau’i kama’aina turned South Lake Tahoe ripper has traded warm swells for the frozen stuff. One of the first women to stomp backside 900, Elena Hight finished 6th in the 2006 Olympic halfpipe competition. Rocking a bevy of sponsors, the 19-year-old has recently finished high school and is ready to dedicate herself full-time shredding halfpipe.



Q&A:

Favorite Trick?
-Japan Airs.

If you weren’t on the slopes, what would be an ideal day?
-An ideal day would be to wake up on a beach somewhere with all my friends, perfect surf in front of me, and no one out in the water.

Who/what has had the biggest influence on your life?
-My mom has definitely been the biggest influence in my life. I don’t know what I would do without her.

In your next life, what will you do?
-It would be fun to be a singer.

What type of car do you drive?
-I drive a Toyota Tundra.

You’re deserted on an island, who/what would you bring with you?
-I would bring my closest friends and family, a whole mess of music and a stereo, a surf board and a lot of food... Especially desserts. :-) What else could you possibly need?

Who do you most admire in your sport? Why?
-I cannot pick one person I admire most in snowboarding, there are just too many people that I look up too. Just to name a few, Terje Haakonsen, Gigi Ruf, Victoria Jealouse, Natasha Zurek, Danny Kass, Torah Bright.

Do you have any pets?
-I do have a dog, Bosco.... He is the best!

How do you stay fit during the “off” season?
-During the off season I surf, run, spin, and work out a bit to stay in shape and get ready for the next season.

If you could hang with any celebrity, who would it be and why?
-It would be awesome to hangout with Marilyn Monroe.