Women in the Industry: Ana Van Pelt

What is your role at Niche Snowboards?
I am the Co-Founder/Creative Director, but since we’re a start-up, I am definitely involved in all areas of the business.

How did you get involved?
My co-worker, Dustin, and I, are both very passionate snowboarders, and were given the opportunity to start up a snowboard company. I saw that there was a certain part of the market that wasn’t fully being addressed. For a sport based entirely on the environment, we should be doing much more to push the limits on eco-friendly technologies! My idea was that we could be the first completely eco-friendly company. Not just one board out of our line, but our entire lineup, as well as every single other part of our brand: from business cards to hoodies and tees. We should be looking at more eco-friendly construction materials too; there are tons of alternative options out there! Dustin was stoked on the idea, and we ran with it.

What is Niche bringing to the market that is new and innovative?
Every single component of our boards is eco-friendly or sustainable. We are also using some new, bio-derived construction materials that have much lower impacts on our environment.

What’s your take on camber theories?  Regular, reverse, bit o’ both?
I haven’t had the opportunity to try out ALL of the newest camber options; there are so many crazy combinations now! But lately I’ve been STOKED on the flat camber! I was pleasantly surprised the first time I tried it out! I was extremely skeptical, but it is definitely my new favorite thing.

How much influence do you have on the women’s snowboard line?
I get to hand craft and test out every prototype we make. Its a really awesome and fun experience for me. I want to make the girls board in our line for the more core/advanced girl rider. We will try out some new things, make some tweaks to the design, and I get the chance to help us fine-tune a dream board. Its going to be a freestyle/park oriented board.

What women’s products will you be offering for 2011?  Any plans beyond that?
For 2011 we will have women’s soft goods, so: shirts, sweaters, hoodies, whatever else we decide to put in our soft goods line. At SIA 2011, we will display our full line of boards, including our women’s board. Beyond that, I think we’re kind of taking things one step at a time, and seeing where the wind takes us.


Pirates or Ninjas?
You know, I’m more inclined to say pirates, but who doesn’t love to be a ninja every now and again? Especially when you’re snowboarding! Ninja status is sick. But when you’re a pirate you can commandeer things… So its a toss up. I guess it depends on where I am at any given point. Maybe a Ninrate (Pirate with Ninja skills!)


What are the biggest challenges you face in trying to make an environmentally sustainable product?  Have you found any new technologies to replace the petroleum products traditionally used?
The biggest challenge is definitely the manufacturing process. The materials we are using take a little bit longer in the press, so its hard to find a manufacturer that’s willing to deal with slower production. I think cost is also the issue for most people. But this is something we genuinely care about! So if it means we make less profit per board, that’s okay with us.

We have definitely found some alternatives to petroleum based products! I can’t disclose exactly what they are just yet, but I can tell you that they actually perform better than traditional materials. They have better adhesion which makes it harder for your board to delam; more elastic giving you more pop and making it much harder to break; they are more durable which means longer board lifespan.


What did you do before Niche?
Before Niche I was the in-house graphic designer for an International Logistics and Management company.


Do you feel it’s challenging for women to get jobs in the snowboard industry?
I don’t really know whether or not its hard for women to get jobs in the industry. I’ve been lucky and have had great experiences. People have always been really welcoming towards me and are stoked to meet a girl who can bro down and be a snowboard nerd. We are definitely harder to come by than men in the industry! I think we have a lot of power and potential.


Where’s the coolest place you’ve traveled to ride?  Favorite place locally?
Unfortunately, I haven’t had the opportunity yet in my life to ride internationally. There are so many really cool, exciting places that I want to travel to. Japan is a big goal of mine! I love making a trip out to Bear each winter for a week or so to go ride, though! The park is amazing, the vibe is great, and I always feel at home there (probably because I’m from California). My favorite place locally right now is definitely The Canyons. There’s so much variety there! The park is awesome, there’s some sick hiking to be had, and there are an infinite amount of runs you can just go freeride and jib around on!

Any final thoughts?
Niche is a really cool company that genuinely cares about what we’re doing. We’re not out to get rich or famous, we just want to do something positive and meaningful not only for snowboarding, but the planet. We’re also paying attention to some of the people who sometimes get left out (like smaller people and women!). We’re a very personal, transparent company, and we want to encourage people to participate in what we’re doing, right along with us.

Want more? Check out the Niche website: 

nichesnowboards.com

Posted by Kelly Vance on 02/15/2010