COMIN’ UP

WHEN BLUE IS YOUR BACKYARD

A chat with youthful snowboarder Jona Holden

words :: Allison Kennedy Davies

At just 14 years old, Jona Holden has been turning heads at the Blue Mountain Terrain Park and beyond. As the youngest member of the STERIK’s team by nearly a decade, Jona made a big impression last season competing in Blue Mountain’s inaugural Big Air Show. We recently caught up with Jona to learn a bit more about this kid phenom.

Mountain Life: Tell us a bit about how you got started snowboarding.

Jona Holden: I got into snowboarding because my mom snowboards and she wanted me to try it. She got me a day pass to try it out for the day to see if I’d like it. We rode for the day and I loved it, and couldn’t wait to get on the hill again. So the next year my mom bought me a season’s pass and I’ve loved snowboarding ever since.

ML: Last year you trained and competed with STERIK’s. What was that experience like?

JH: It was very fun riding with STERIK’s. Stefan [Mortveit, owner] taught me so much and they’ve helped me become a better rider. ML: Last year you were the youngest athlete on the STERIK’s team and the youngest athlete to compete in the Big Air Show. What was it like competing in an event of that size?

JH: The Big Air Show at Blue Mountain was so much fun. I had an awesome time riding with everyone and getting to meet new people. I hope they do it again next year.

ML: What’s it like riding with older teammates in an environment like STERIK’s?

JH: You can learn a lot from older athletes. They can teach you and help you so much with landing tricks and encourage you to try new tricks. Riding with older snowboarders has made me a way better snowboarder.

ML: What’s one trick you mastered last year that you were proud of? What’s one you’d like to nail this year?

JH: I’ve gotten good at tame dogs (front flips) and wildcats (backflips) and lots of other tricks. I would like to get better at cork 720s and 1080s and some rail tricks, too. I’m just going to keep riding and trying to get better.

ABOVE Jona at Blue. BRENNAN GRANGE BELOW SUPPLIED BY JONA HOLDEN

JH: In the summer I like dirt biking, fishing, learning new tricks on my trampoline, skateboarding and hanging out with friends.

ML: What are your goals for the 2023 season?

JH: I hope to have as much fun as possible and to keep learning new tricks.

ML: Who would you like to thank for helping you so far?

JH: I would like to thank my parents and my family for supporting me in snowboarding. And Stefan and everyone else that has been helping me to become a better snowboarder. Also, K2 for helping me with boards, boots and bindings.