ERIKA VIKANDER | NEXT ADVENTURE AMBASSADOR
1. What kind of trips and destinations are your favorite experiences?
My favorite kinds of trips are the ones where I have the flexibility to pivot and change plans at the last minute. I love exploring new places and having the opportunity to stay somewhere longer if it speaks to me.
2. Can you share a memorable adventure or travel experience that has had a significant impact on you?
My first trip to Japan 8 years ago was something that awakened a passion inside of me that I will forever cherish. I have never felt so at home in another country. Being able to ride the best snow in the world, experience the onsen culture, eat my favorite meal every night (sushi), and create friendships that will last a lifetime is a truly special travel experience.
3. When you choose to collaborate with brands like Next Adventure what qualities in a partnership make you feel authentic, true to yourself, and excited?
Next Adventure does a wonderful job of making me feel valued as an athlete but more importantly as a person. Working with companies that create a safe space to express myself and support my projects and dreams is crucial to my success as a snowboarder and my overall mental health.
4. What excites you most about partnering with Next Adventure?
I love the constant opportunities to create passion projects and connect further with my community through my partnership with Next Adventure. It's also amazing to have a shop that literally has EVERYTHING I need for outdoor adventures, a great tune shop, incredible owners, and the best employees I've ever encountered in an outdoor store.
5. Can you share a challenging moment from your travels, how you overcame it and how you view it now?
Traveling and competing on the Freeride World Tour for 3 years during covid was certainly the most challenging time I've experienced while traveling. Competing at a high level is already incredibly stressful and couple that with having to stay in our "bubbles" taking covid tests daily, and moving from country to country while trying to stay focused was a wild time in my life. Looking back at it now, I feel lucky to have been able to still travel when so many people were stuck at home for years longer than anticipated.
6. What advice would you give to someone looking to start a travel/adventure platform (journey, lifestyle, career??)
I would tell them to remain authentic to yourself and stand firm in what you believe in. There are a lot of people out there who will try to make you feel small to fit their narrative and I now know that there are many different paths to success, and everyone's success looks different. Another advantage is saying yes to as many opportunities that take you outside of your comfort zone because after all, that's where true growth happens.
7. How do you see the future of travel influencing your content and collaborations?
The future's so bright right now, there are so many places I still want to discover and cultures to absorb. I feel that I will continue on this journey for the rest of my life and through that authenticity I will attract the types of partnerships that are mutually beneficial to all parties.
8. If you could only pack three items for an extended adventure, what would they be?
Theragun, Hydration enhancement, and a towel.
9. What's a memorable thing you've ever eaten while traveling?
I've eaten some very strange things in Japan, I'm always willing to try something at least once, particularly when in a new country, and it is considered a delicacy. Some of those things include chicken feet, fish eyes, and some very salty pickled things.
10. What's a wild encounter you've had while on an adventure?
While camping up near Mount St. Helens a few years ago I was driving on a dirt road back to the campsite after going on a day hike and was blown away when I saw not one, not two, not three, but FOUR mountain lions run across the road in front of my car. To this day I have still never seen another one and can't believe I got to see them up close like that in the safety of my vehicle.
11. If you could teleport to any place in the world right now, where would you go and why?
I would teleport to Alaska to go ride some endless spines in pristine stable conditions. It may be spring, but winter is always on my mind :)
12. What's the hardest you've ever laughed while on an adventure?
While filming in Japan earlier this season I got to be with two of my favorite snowboarders/people and we all brought out the children in each other. We were so silly every day regardless of being full-fledged adults. We made up ridiculous songs, rode endless powder, sang karaoke, danced, rode horses, and didn't have a single moment of being serious for 9 days. It was so much fun!
Check out Erika's adventures:
www.erikavikander.blogspot.com
Instagram: erikathevikingvikander