Evelina Nilsson is the 26-year-old Luleåtjejen who has competed on the world tour in free skating for the past two winters.Freeride met a loving seeker who posted his spiritual answers to the northernmost of Norrland.A meeting without cold talk, but all the more philosophical musings about, among other things, crashes, learning loops and money.Sixteen thousand eight hundred and twenty-eight characters of rough text and answers I have in the document from my two interviews with Evelina Nilsson.Just over five A4 pages with text in size 12. It is far too much.No one will be able to read such a large amount of text about the small, pretty girl from Norrland.But it is no coincidence that the notes from the conversations with the 26-year-old American and Luleå-raised Evelina Nilsson have starved beyond any quantitative control.She is opinionated and has a lot to say.Thoughts and ideas spin out of her mouth when you ask an open question.Many reasonings are well thought out.Paths of thought that she has previously walked on, explored and to some extent found some kind of answer to.It is a skier and a person who is not so easy to nail down with signs, words, sentences and paragraphs.Evelina Nilsson is a thinker & seeker.And a bastard on skis.Photo: Mark Watson / The North Face Doesn't like cold talkThe first time we meet for an interview is at the NM in Riksgränsen 2017. We meet in the hotel lobby and I tell them that I have prepared questions.- Good, because I don't like talking coldly, answers Evelina Nilsson.Ok, let's go then.For those who don't know you: Who are you?- I am transparent.You are always new, if you remove all interests or where you come from, who are you then?Are you nobody then?I try to be kind and curious.I want to develop.When were you born?- You mean in this lifetime?Summer 1991 in Luleå.Who am I talking to?Is a thought that flies through my head.It is close at hand to label Evelina Nilsson as a fuzzy New Ageer.A freaky skier with an all-encompassing message of love that breathes hippie and 1960s.A stance that is then spiced up with equal parts Star Wars and Tolkien, and finally a bit of free dancing and meditation on top.Evelina Nilsson does not hesitate to take the turns spiritually and mentally.Photo: Dominique Daher/Freeride World TourIt is clearly a perspective one can have.But that is a narrow and sad perspective.It is probably a view that says more about the viewer than about Evelina Nilsson.I let go of the limiting ways of thinking that are really about my own prejudices, try to flow with her reasoning and thoughts.But we will take a couple of counter and follow-up questions with us.We cannot completely let go of the critical and questioning journalistic edge, that would be too unpleasant, wouldn't it?Evelina Nilsson grew up in Luleå for the very first years of her life.The family then packed up for an adventure west: - Between the ages of three and six, we lived in the USA, California, outside San Francisco.During the period we also moved to Pittsburg.The family moved with my Dad, who got various jobs in the computer industry.She still has some strong childhood memories from her time in the United States, despite her young age.After America, it was Luleå that applied.When Evelina and the family came back from the USA, there was a lot of skiing: - We went to Riksgränsen and it has since felt like home to me.We were also in Tärnaby and Hemavan, as well as Dundret in Gällivare, of course.But I actually skied a bit before the family moved to the US.My family is a skiing family, we often went to Måttsundsbacken, which is just outside Luleå.Evelin Nilsson won the NM in 2012, took bronze in 2014... Photo: Kajsa LarssonWhen it was time for high school, it was a new move for Evelina: - I started at the ski high school in Järpen, outside Åre.Got on the Puckel line and therefore moved from Luleå down to Åredalen.The year after graduating from high school, Evelina Nilsson invested in a career as a humpback.But it didn't quite work out: - I was slightly injured and afraid of crashing.I stopped myself and finally I questioned myself: Do I really want to do this?Already around Christmas, she decided to take an indefinite break.She didn't want to compete if she couldn't go in one hundred percent.But stopping skiing was not on the cards: - I stayed in Åre, worked and free-skied instead.That winter some friends started talking about the NM and I drove, it was my first free skating competition.Where and when would you say your interest in skiing took off?- My first dreams that I remember were about skiing.In the US I wanted to be a doctor, but my first memories are still of skiing and I have always loved it.In Luleå, our family was a bit lonely for skiing so much, other friends were into football, basketball and hockey.When I ended up in Åre/Järpen at the skiing high school, something happened - it was fantastic to end up in a context where everyone else was also so focused on skiing.In high school I learned a lot about skiing and it was fun to share the interest with so many others who were also keen.Can you make a living from skiing alone today?- Not quite, but almost.Before last season 2016/2017, I worked during summer and autumn.I can't walk around with my spending pants on and not think about finances at all, but I have good support from my sponsors.Last spring I worked a little at the Chocolate Factory in Åre.You don't have to worry about money, you always manage.You just have to believe in yourself and follow your inspiration.Read Evelina Nilsson's own words here "A dream always begins to be sown just like a seed..."Evelina Nilsson loves her family.Together with her siblings and some friends, she has the project "Jedis Of Love" where the idea is to help people find their inspiration and follow their joy through events and other things.But that's not enough, more things are in the works: - My sister and I are also writing a book.The book is about different perspectives, we write different chapters.We haven't read everything from each other.I haven't been able to write much lately.I have had a period where I could neither write nor talk about feelings.But after the NM and Riksgränsen, I will go into a writing mode.I believe that the more we share what we are going through, the more we can help other people.What is the purpose of the book?- You could say we want to inspire.We know what the front of the book should look like, but we don't have a title yet, but maybe "Perspective".Evelina Nilsson has raced in the fine room of free skating on the world tour both this and last winter.In the winter of 2017, she finished 7th overall, after a 4th, 7th and 9th place and thus she missed the trip to Alaska and also the start ticket to the season finale in Verbier.The first year on the tour went better, overall sixth and she ran all the races and took a podium with bronze money in Andorra.Evelina Nilsson's bronze medal in Andorra at FWT 2016In 2017 you crashed one of the races at FWT, last winter you crashed many.What do you think about it?- Yes, this winter I fell in love with the second competition held in Andorra.Last winter I crashed all but two races.The races I've crashed at have been among the rides I've been most happy with.Or maybe not when I fell in Chamonix and Alaska, then it was stupid stuff at the end of the ride.But for example Verbier last winter I was happy with my ride, then I came in with too much speed in bad snow and crashed, yes it was hard to predict.Evelina Nilsson hangs out with FWT colleagues Loic Collomb-Patton, Kristofer Turdell and Taisuke in Kuson... Photo: Dominique Daher/Freeride World TourBut how can you be satisfied with a race ride that you crash?- I try to reflect and learn from the crashes I do in competition.If you had been out riding with your friends and fell, you would not have cared.After a race crash, you can't beat yourself up too much.You get to learn.Try to see the positive: what can I do about it next time?Then let go and move on.No use in the past.You often reason about moving on, being positive and so on.Do you need to tell yourself that because you have a negative side too?- I have learned more over the years about how I function mentally and how I can work with my thoughts.It's not just about skiing, but about everything in life.I want to be aware of everything.As I feel as a person today, I have felt and been since I was born basically.I learned a lot mentally from the coaches at the ski gymnasium in Järpen - especially from Carl Henrics.We set goals and then we would figure out how to achieve them ourselves, as well as acquire the tools we needed to reach the goals.That training yielded a lot and many things that the coaches said during the high school years I have taken with me further in life.It was a good base to build on.Northern love jedi got a new contract with... Photo: The North FaceBut do you have a tendency to become negative?- But of course, to your question, I also fall into negative thoughts sometimes, but am then aware of it.When I am aware, I can also choose to try to think in other ways.The more you train your consciousness, the more you learn.As children we had fast learning loops, when we are adults the loops are often slow - but we can become fast again and make the learning loop faster, let go of bad thoughts and move on.We get up and end the interview.Time has flown by and Evelina Nilsson is going home to her family who live outside the national border.The same accommodation that they have basically always rented while growing up.Evelina Nilsson has a big day to prepare for.Tomorrow is the second final day of the Nordic Championships on the competition facet Insteget and she is in a shared lead together with the Norwegian hump rider Hedwig Wessel.Hedvig Wessel (left) and Evelina Nilsson (right) were tied for first before the last day of the NM in Riksgränsen 201... Photo: Kajsa Larsson Four months after a crash at the NM and a dislocated shoulderAt our second chat, four months have passed since her final crash at the NM in Riksgränsen.Evelina dislocated her left shoulder after the backflip she attempted down the cliff called Ögat på Insteget, Nordalsfjäll.She lost the leading position and was 9th overall at the NM 2017.Here you can read the summary after the NM in Riksgränsen 2017.How is your shoulder now?- It has gotten better.I can stand in the dog yoga position, even the classic plank and do push-ups.But it's not quite good yet.There was a small fracture after the crash at the NM and I didn't have a cast but had to keep the shoulder still for 6 weeks and that time made the shoulder weak and a little stiff.It was a piece of bone that had dislodged, but it did not require surgery.Evelina Nilsson has lived at home as a mother in Luleå for a few months, attended regular rehabilitation in Luleå with physiotherapist Lasse 3 times a week.She came back to Åre in September, where she lives with her siblings in the middle of the village.Another big thing that has happened during these four summer months is that it is clear that Evelina Nilsson will not be allowed to ride the Freeride World Tour 2018.A community on the world tour that Evelina will miss this winter.Photo: Dominique Daher/Freeride World TourHow does it feel not to be able to drive the world tour next winter?- At first it was really hard to feel that I had left.It feels difficult because I've been on the tour now for two winters and got to know everyone.It's a great place to express yourself and push yourself and your skiing.It was a dream to come to FWT and then leave... well, it's going to be a nightmare in a way.It's like flipping from one side to another in a second, no soft and gentle transition, but just: now you're out!No more turns on the FWT next winter before... Photo: Jeremy Bernard/Freeride World TourHow did you deal with those thoughts?- Immediately after the initial disappointment, I thought about the possibility of wild cards, but then I felt that it is out of my control.I can choose to be sad and think it sucks or see what it can do to NOT be on FWT.I will have freedom to do what I want.I don't have to follow the race schedule and sit and wait all weather days for the races to finish.It feels inspiring!Will you be trying to get back to the World Tour by collecting points on the Qualifying Tour?- Right now I'm not inspired to do FWQ.But it may happen that I spontaneously change my mind this winter and drive.But I want to film more and give it more of the time that I haven't been able to give before. Sometimes I've had a lot of inspiration and creativity that hasn't been allowed to come out because I've been sitting on FWT and waiting.That's how I feel now.It remains to be seen what happens during the season, it's a process for me and we'll see exactly how I do.If you run FWQ how many races will there be?- No idea right now actually.My focus is on other things at the moment.I want to work more with our project "Jedis of Love" and everything we are trying to create there.We want to bring people together in the fantastic nature and also on other levels.I don't think much FWQ at the moment actually.Now I think mostly about New Zealand and going there to film.Evelina Nilsson doesn't just make inner journeys.She constantly comes back to how she wants to "push herself" on different levels and above all in skiing.Then, when we speak for the second time, in the middle of September, Evelina Nilsson is on her way to the southern home sphere to climb four volcanoes and ski down them.One of the volcanoes they will climb and ski is the Lord of the Rings' Mount Doom.- Yes, it will be a lot of fun filming with Janina Kuzma and Anna Segal. We will climb four volcanoes on the North Island, hiccup and hike up.The whole thing gets really exciting.I have always wanted to go to New Zealand.That one of the mountains is Lord of the Rings Mt Doom is just great!Janina Kuzma was born in Indonesia but has lived in Australia and now moved to New Zealand.She ran the Olympics in halfpipe in Sochi 2014, then also competed on the Freeride World Tour together with Matilda Rapaport, among others.Janina was also in the film Shades of Winter "Pure" in 2014. But Janina couldn't cope with both focusing on freestyle and freeride, it was the Olympics that drew the winning lottery and that's where she puts her powder.The four volcanoes that Evelina, Janina Kuzma and Anna Segal and the rest of the gang will ski are Mt Taranaki, Tongariro, Ngauruho and Ruapehu.Mt Taranki is 2518 meters and is located in Egmont National Park.The volcano has the small ski system Manganui Ski Area at its base.A system of three replica lifts and one anchor lift, which starts at 1,260 meters above sea level and goes up to 1,680 meters.Mt Taranaki is located a bit by itself on the south-west part of New Zealand's North Island.The remaining three volcanoes are a little closer together in the Tongariro National Park.Tongariro National Park is New Zealand's oldest, founded in 1894 and the landscape was also given the role of Mordor when The Lord of the Rings was filmed in the early 2000s.The national park is located in the middle of New Zealand's North Island.Mt.Ngauruhoe 2291 meters "Mt Doom" is an active stratovolcano, last eruption was in 1977. It is the highest volcanic massif on the central plateau of the North Island.The volcano had 45 eruptions during the 20th century, which makes it one of the world's most active volcanoes.A mountain that was also active on the big screen in Peter Jackson's film adaptation of Tolkien's classic fantasy trilogy The Lord of the Rings.Mt Ngauruhoe was given the not unimportant role of Doomsday Mountain, or in the original language Mount Doom.In this mountain in Mordor there is also the Doomsday Gap where the evil Sauron once forged the Lord's Ring.It is also here that the little hero and hobbit Frodo must once and for all destroy the same ring in the fire and lava that once helped create it.The original Maoi people have many religious sites in the national park.Not infrequently the mountain tops are sacred and are called "tapu" which means a very holy place.For me, it is not fiction but reality.It feels true to me.People may think it's wacky.It's more than spaceships and fighting on planets.For me, it is not fiction but reality.It feels true to me.People may think it's wacky.It's more than spaceships and fighting on planets.Evelina Nilsson has loved superheroes, fantasy and wizards all her life.Now she gets the chance to step into that type of environment in a new way with skis under her feet.- Then I also think of Disney's new film "Vaiana", where the culture of the sailors is actually inspired by the Maori in New Zealand.I like the elements of this, it gives inspiration and power.We have had this idea for a long time, Janina and I, but now everything finally fell into place.In the media you are usually associated with Star Wars: how did the fascination begin?- It was when we lived in the United States and I was little.I first checked when I was 4 or 5 years old and since then it's just followed.However, the fascination is greater than just Star Wars – all kinds of films and books with a different kind of magic are a great inspiration.For me, it is not fiction but reality.It feels true to me.People may think it's wacky.It's more than spaceships and fighting on planets.It is "Oneness" and love, details that are strong and beautiful messages in the films.There is much in fantasy and science fiction that allows you to learn about yourself.It's not just a movie or a book, it's a school.Evelina Nilsson dances at a Bentinho Mass... Photo: Alexand AnneSo we broaden the perspective popular culture what do you like more than Star Wars?- Sci-Fi and Fantasy are my thing.I like Harry Potter, "The Tale of the Otori Clan" by Lian Hearn, there are also lots of new cool books coming in 2017 such as "Traiter to the thrown" by Alwyn Hamilton.I like The Lord of the Rings, too, of course.In addition to books and films, I find inspiration in music and dance.There are other forms of expression that I haven't done much with myself.Do you practice music and dance in any particular way?- Well, with music, my siblings and I sit together and jam and see what happens.A lot of the inspiration for me probably just comes from being in a community with other people in some form - when everyone is on the same frequency - be it playing yatzy together, skiing, playing music or whatever.Sometimes it's wow!The community does not have to be around a specific thing, but the feeling must be shared.When people follow you on social media, they understand that the mental part is important to you, tell me what you do and why?- It's always been that way since I was little, I've thought a lot.Philosophized and analyzed.I have always sought something for as long as I can remember, but not always understood what it is.I started yoga at the age of 13 and it was an expression of the search.A few years ago when my oldest brother delved into meditation and then introduced it to us other siblings, a lot of things opened up for me and I got more clarity on things.Do you think we should be more spiritual today?Are we clicking on too quickly and thinking too little?Are we listening too much outward and too little inward?- If everyone would take time and land in themselves, things would look different in the world.You easily get stuck in your ingrained thoughts.It is perhaps better to try to land in one's heart and feel something more expanding and liberating, than just the surroundings and one's own ingrained expectations of one.It's super important to me.I'm more balanced then and I don't get caught up in things that I'm not happy about, but put energy into the right things.Things I can change.How do you get there then?- You have to dare to let go of your identity a little.Only then do you become freer.Our lives are a bit like video games, where we have a character that we control - I have the character "Evelina Nilsson".If you're playing a video game or reading a book, you're the character, but you're also everything else in the video game like the environment and everything else.If you think about it, it gives a sense of freedom – you can play with the character, it's more open and not as scary, it doesn't matter if the character falls into the ditch.- It's also about not holding each other to old things and ideas.We change all the time.It's easier to forgive each other for things and give more love to each other, if we don't have a lot of ideas about how people should be.Meditation opens things up and you see what you need to work on.Evelina Nilsson finds herself on the mountain and finds her way in life.Photo: Jeremy BernardWhat does this mean with "Oneness" that you keep coming back to?- Simply put, all people come from the same source and we are an expression of this source.Are you religious?- What defines religious.Someone who follows a faith?Everyone believes in something.I believe in something, I don't know how to explain, everything is the same anyway.Whatever you believe is the same, just different concepts around Buddhism, Christianity or the like.Love is in the middle and I believe in it, it is Oneness and that everything starts from the same source and comes back to the same source.Being one with yourself, each other and nature creates that feeling.Do you believe in an afterlife?- I think that we are not this character that we are right now, but exist in some form all the time.We are energy and will never disappear.What happens in the next life I have no idea - whether I am human or go to the source and hang out there.It is something specific to our lives on earth and how we are to be of service to others.If there is a purpose in coming back to earth as a human being, then you will come back again.Where do you get all these ideas from?- A little different.Bentinho Massaro expresses very well.I listen to some of his lectures.Me and my brother were also on a retreat this summer in the Netherlands.But you are your own best Guru, so you can't just follow everything a guru says.Just Bentinho Massaro also announces that you are your own best teacher, he helps you with tools to find it.Evelina Nilsson in good balance before a drop at Xtreme Verbier 2016. Photo: Jeremy Bernard Skiing outside competitionOk, we'll drop the spirituality.What are you like as a skier when you are NOT competing?Who do you prefer to free skate with?- I prefer to go with my siblings.It's so inspiring!My brother skateboards and has a special expression.My sister and I have been riding all our lives together and we push each other.But I have many people I like to ride with.But especially with the siblings, we feel a little telepathic about what we want to do.We like to go in Åre and the mountain there.Then I love Riksgränsen because inspiration and the community in skiing for me have been founded there.We went there with the family when we were little.My siblings and I had to go around the mountain by ourselves, which people thought was a bit strange.Sometimes we sat inside and played SIMS and happened to ride, we just followed the inspiration.Now always longing to return to Gränsen, there is such power and creativity on the mountain.There is always something new with Gränsen and I find new things.It has also been a place where the whole family always goes in the spring, we live in the same cottage we rented when we were little.Not lots of ringing phones, no TV and no distractions.Evelina Nilsson likes Åre and Riksgränsen... Photo: Nicklas Blom/SBMC2017Where do you like to go more specifically in Åre?- The eastern ravine is always fun, Solravinen and Blåsten are also good.It really depends on the conditions where you go.In the spring I usually go to the park in Bräcke if it's slushy, I'm not a park rider but it's still fun to play around there.Then in Åre there is always an attraction to the adventures up Skutan in some way.Otherwise we play around, test a bit everywhere.If there are piles of snow cannons on any edge, you get rid of them as it were.More specifically about skiing in Riksgränsen, where do you steer the ski tips?- We always hike Nordalsfjäll, but two other favorites are Sommarstigen and Norge-svängen.Long shot on the latter, but there are such cool snow formations there.Which – you can only say one – skier have you been most inspired by?- Magnus Granér is a great inspiration, he just creates new things and does his thing.There are no limitations for him.The environment - is it doomed or is there hopeWhy is the environment and climate important?- Because if you think a little deeper: we are on a globe, mother earth loves us unconditionally gives and we just take and take in a careless way.Earth survives, but humanity will disappear.We need awareness in our choices.I'm flying now, but try to think as much as possible about things that matter.- It is not the circumstances and our consumption that make our happiness, but we have that within us.If we are everything, then we want to take care of the earth too.We really have to take care of ourselves.They are fun if everyone can ski and experience snow.We need to keep this amazing place we live in as vibrant as possible and not let it decay.Is the world going to hell or is there hope?- There is always hope!I believe in love, that we can change and that people can develop.It's calm, it's going to be fine.But everyone has to contribute and start with themselves.Evelina Nilsson in Alaska on the world tour 2016. Photo: Dominique Daher/Freeride World TourIt swelled to roughly 25,000 characters about Evelina Nilsson.Did you manage to read?Actually, it is nothing to be able to understand a whole, complex human being.It will still only be a fragment, a small and limited perspective.Or as perhaps Evelina herself had thought: a small shard from the one source from which we all come.Evelina Nilsson's banana ice cream in 7 steps 1. Get a droid - blender - that can work healthy!The stronger the better.2. Buy bananas that are speckled, brown and thus ripe and sweet.3. Slice the bananas and freeze, at least 3 bananas per person.4. Take out the frozen bananas, the next day, let them thaw for a quarter of an hour.5. Put the banana slices in the blender, add vanilla powder, cocoa and a little water and blend smoothly.6. Add stuff you like: spirulina (blue-green microalgae rich in protein), coconut flakes, dates, fresh berries and maybe a dollop of peanut butter.7. Eat with a spoon in a bowl and enjoy.Curious Mt Doom (Mount Ngauruhoe, New Zealand) The mountain has not only been on film before.It has also been filmed with skiers in the picture.In 1974, none other than the well-known Frenchman Jean-Claude Killy skied down the previously unskied east side of the volcano, which slopes approximately 35 degrees on average.The ride was part of an advertising campaign for his sponsor Moët & Chandon.Killy tripped on the first run and therefore had to run twice.Three years after the commercial shoot, Mt Doom had its latest eruption Evelina Nilsson on Instagram @evelojna Articles about Evelina NilssonToday the Freeride World Tour is running in Japan, but forget about live broadcasting2020-01-19 |36 comments News: Today is the first competition of the winter edition of the Freeride World Tour (FWT) 2020. But when Reine Barkered and the other four Swedes compete on the facet Kuzureizawa in Hakuba, you will NOT be able to see it live.How to drop rocks (and other things) 2019-12-20 |1 comment Video: Get better at jumping rocks in the off-piste!What should you think about when it's time to drop on skis?That's what Fabian Omne and Evelina Nilsson tell us in this video.Get better at riding powder in the forest2019-11-29 |5 comments Video: What to think about when you go into the trees to find good, untouched and safe snow?That's what Fabian Omne and Evelina Nilsson tell us in this video.Evelina Nilsson: "- Either you do it or you don't" 2019-11-29 |Comment Profile: Ahead of the upcoming season on the world tour 2020, we have a chat with all riders that it is worth keeping an extra (Swedish) eye on.Last, but not least, is Evelina Nilsson who is returning to FWT this winter!How to ski on steep off-piste2019-11-22 |1 comment Video: Get better at skiing on steep terrain!What should you think about when it's leaning so into the reeds and it feels steeper than Mt Everest?That's what Fabian Omne and Evelina Nilsson tell us in this video.How to go off-piste in bad conditions 11/15/2019 |2 comments Video: Get better at skiing in bad conditions!What should you think about when there is poor visibility, crappy snow and general misery on the mountain?How do you ski then?That's what Fabian Omne and Evelina Nilsson tell us in this video.How to ski in powder 2019-11-08 |21 comments Video: What should you think about when there is a lot of freshly fallen white fluff on the mountain and you want to ski in all the powder just as nicely and easily as the pros do?That's what Fabian Omne and Evelina Nilsson tell us in this video.Evelina Nilsson articles (52) Text: Anders WingqvistEvelina Nilsson's banana ice cream in 7 steps 1. Get a droid - blender - that can work healthy!The stronger the better.2. Buy bananas that are speckled, brown and thus ripe and sweet.3. Slice the bananas and freeze, at least 3 bananas per person.4. Take out the frozen bananas, the next day, let them thaw for a quarter of an hour.5. Put the banana slices in the blender, add vanilla powder, cocoa and a little water and blend smoothly.6. Add stuff you like: spirulina (blue-green microalgae rich in protein), coconut flakes, dates, fresh berries and maybe a dollop of peanut butter.7. Eat with a spoon in a bowl and enjoy.Curious Mt Doom (Mount Ngauruhoe, New Zealand) The mountain has not only been on film before.It has also been filmed with skiers in the picture.