Ståle Sandbech is the young Norwegian rookie coming up the Swatch TTR ranking and is being hyped as the next big thing.  He began his rise a few years ago in 2007 when he took out the Norwegian Championships in his age group and since then his star has been on the rise. 

In season 2008/2009 he finished in TTR World No. 17 thanks to some great resulcts such as his top 10 placement at the 6Star Burton European Open Slopestyle and win of the 3Star Protest World Rookie Fest. He was also invited to the prestigious 6Star Air & Style.

In season 2009/2010 Ståle impressed everyone by placing 4th at the high level 6Star Burton European Open Halfpipe. He has now also been invited to the Vancouver Olympics. Pretty amazing resume for a 16 year old!

Terje Haakonsen (NOR) has been watching this kid for a while now and thinks “he has great potential”.  He has already been a rookie at the Oakley Arctic Challenge several times and in 2009 everyone is waiting to see just how much this grom’s riding has improved.  Ståle has the enthusiasm and skill set to make a big impact on the Swatch TTR so follow him as he makes his way up.

Where was your first contest and how did you start on the Swatch TTR Tour?

My first contest was some Norwegian cup contest. The first big TTR event was the European Open two years ago.  Then I did the world rookie fest that same year. 

There are a lot of good riders from Norway, who inspires you and who did you look up to when you started snowboarding?

I don’t know, everyone is inspiring me who is doing new and cool tricks.  Like Mikkel Bang is riding so good now, Terje has good style, plus he is like a legend.  So when I was younger I looked up to Terje, Andreas Wiig and Bang.


What is the best part about being a professional snowboarder?

To ride so much and snowboard all year round. To live for it and get money from it. Just being able to have fun, travel and meet people and to enjoying snowboarding.

What are your goals as a snowboarder, how big do you want to go? What do you want to achieve?

Of course I want to go big, but it’s hard to tell. Just try my best and ride as much as I can.  Snowboard more and try to do better tricks.

Do you know if you want to focus on films, contest or photo shoots?

I kind of want to do everything, films, contests and photos. Everything is so fun.

You have been doing really well on the Swatch TTR tour, although you are so young, and you are high on the rankings. How does that feel?

It’s so fun. One week ago my dad checked the ranking and he saw I was 35 or something, I was like “WHAT! I didn’t know that” . That’s sick,  I was super stoked on it. Maybe I try to get some more TTR contest as well.  

What has it been like coming to The Oakley Arctic Challenge?

It’s such a cool contest. I’m stoked every time. This is my 4th year here. The first year I was a mascot, the second year I was competing in the rookie contest, and last year I was like kind of being a mascot and then in the training Terje said I can ride in the contest.

This year I’m back. I’ve had four really good years now!

You are a new rider on the TTR scene. How has Swatch TTR helped you progressing?

When you ride a contest it pushes you and you learn new tricks and style. People get to know you, so it’s a really good! TTR is really good!

And you get to ride with your idols that you mentioned before?

Yeah, that’s sick!

So anyone you want to thank or shout outs?

I want to thank all my family members and sponsors and friends. Anyone else that helped me. I thank everybody.