Krister Kopala takes the questionnaire designed to reveal his true mountain character and shares his beliefs and aspirations.

In this episode, we’re heading north — deep into Norway — to meet Krister Kopala, a professional snowboarder, steep skier, and mountain storyteller who lives life on the edge of ice, fjords, and emotion.

Krister grew up in Tromsø, surrounded by wild terrain, one T-bar, and long winters and long summers — where snowboarding was about filming with friends and finding your own lines. These early days shaped his fearless approach to the mountains. Today, he calls Luster home — a place framed by waterfalls, glaciers, and steep couloirs that have become his playground.

He’s earned a reputation for tackling some of the steepest descents in the world — slopes tipping past 50 and even 60 degrees — but his story goes far deeper than adrenaline and speed. In this episode, we talk about life in Norway, the thrills and mindfulness of extreme snowboarding, and Krister’s openness about struggles with drugs, family relationships, and how the mountains saved his life.

He shares how vulnerability and honesty can be as powerful as physical strength — and how he’s redefining what it means to be a man in the mountains. We also explore the Norwegian idea of Kos — that sense of calm, connection, and simple contentment — and how it shows up even in the wildest corners of his life.

Of course, Krister takes the Beyond the Mountains Questionnaire in a special bonus episode, and he answers the three big questions I ask every guest — including what the mountains have taught him about life.

So find your kaffekos, settle in, and get ready for a raw, real, and inspiring conversation.

Loubna Freih takes the questionnaire designed to reveal her true mountain character and shares her beliefs and aspirations.

Nolen Oayda takes the questionnaire designed to reveal his true mountain character and share his beliefs and aspirations.

In this episode, I sit down with Loubna Freih — Ironman World Champion, mental performance coach, and fearless adventurer  - with an unstoppable curiosity for what the human body and mind can achieve. 

Instagram  @loubna_freih      @alpinequest_2025

Website :  https://loubnafreih.com/             https://alpinequest.org/

Loubna and a team of female athletes recently completed an extraordinary journey: traversing the entire Alps by bike, ski mountaineering, and trail running. 

In just 54 days, they covered 2,000 kilometres, climbed 80,000 meters of elevation, and crossed five countries — a challenge driven not only by endurance and teamwork, but also by a mission to raise awareness of climate change in the mountains they love.

What makes Loubna’s story even more powerful is how she brings curiosity and mental strength into every pursuit. From her work with the Swiss national sailing team and other high-performance athletes and teams to her own endurance adventures, she shows how language, mindset, and inner narratives can transform challenges into resilience and breakthroughs.

This conversation follows the chapters of LIVE. WORK. PLAY. — from her home in Verbier, to her work as a mental coach, to her passion for exploring the mountains. It’s about curiosity, courage, and the belief that the biggest gains in success are not made by strengthening the body, but in strengthening the mind.

As a bonus episode, Loubna agreed to take the Beyond the Mountains questionnaire to reveal his true mountain character. 

You can find the bonus episode after this inspiring conversation. 

So hit play and get on with the show. Allons-y

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Connect / leave a comment and follow.

• Please Rate & Review me on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
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Hey everyone, and welcome to another episode of Beyond the Mountains Podcast!

Today, I’m joined by a freestyle skier and business entrepreneur —Nolen Oayda.

Instagram profile : @nolenoayda   @theintrepiddream 

Nolen Oayda is a true pioneer of Australian freestyle skiing. 

From freestyle skiing in Europe,  carving lines in Verbier, Switzerland, Nolen helped shape the sport in its early days and became a powerful influence on generations of Australian athletes. 

He lived with a fun and fearless spirit, embracing creativity at every turn. 

The essence of freestyle skiing — risk, resilience, and freedom — flowed through his business, surfing, music, and family life.

Beyond the slopes, Nolen has built a career as an entrepreneur in Jindabyne,   turning the same energy that drove his skiing into a thriving photo journalism and business career. 

His story is one of passion, reinvention, and living by the mantra that life is short — so surround yourself with good people, and simply have a go.

As a bonus episode, Nolen agreed to take the Beyond the Mountains questionnaire to reveal his true mountain character. 

You can find the bonus episode after this inspiring conversation. 

So start the intro music and get on with the show. Allons-y

How can you help the show and grow the community?

Connect / leave a comment and follow.

• Please Rate & Review me on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
• Follow us on social media 
• Instagram :   @beyondthemountains.podcast 
• Facebook :    Beyond the mountains podcast
• Join the conversation: Comment on Instagram or send us a message I'd love to hear from you.
• Share this episode with a friend! If you enjoyed it, tag us on social media and let us know your favorite takeaway from the show 

Hey Guys, Ashley here. I will be back soon with more episodes. I'm going to call it season 5. But I wanted to give you a recap on season 4.

Season 4 of Beyond the Mountains took us higher, deeper, and further than ever before — exploring the edge of adventure, the heart of creativity, and the soul of mountain living.

We kicked off with Giulia Monego, a big mountain skier and one of the few fully certified female mountain guides in Chamonix. From her beginnings in Venice to conquering steep lines and studying osteopathy, Giulia reminded us that growth lives outside the comfort zone.

I have to meet Giula in person. Maybe I'll drive to Chamonix and try climbing with her.

Then came Steph Davis, a legend of vertical adventure. A master of both rock and air, Steph shared how classical piano, literature, and BASE jumping all collide in her pursuit of freedom — and how fear, when faced, becomes fuel. 

I just wish I had better audio for this interview. This was a person I really wanted to impress; she is such an inspiration. I highly recommend her book.  Learning to Fly: An Uncommon Memoir of Human Flight, Unexpected Love, and One Amazing Dog

We shifted gears with Jay Sweet, music visionary and Executive Director of Newport Folk Festival, and one of the creative forces behind Floki Studios in Iceland.  From the blues to the backcountry skiing, Jay showed us how Iceland’s remote peaks and silence unlock creativity, and how being present is the greatest act of rebellion.

I could have listened to more stories from Jay. Maybe one day I'll get to Floki studios in Iceland and see a troll

Finally, we sat down with Chris Price, architect and founder of KLIMA. Based in the mountains of Utah, Chris designs homes that breathe with the land — sustainable, strong, and soulful. His work proves that building in harmony with nature isn't just possible — it’s essential.

One day I hope to have my own eco friendly has inspired by Chris.

Each episode ended with our Beyond the Mountains Questionnaire, giving you a playful glimpse into our guests’ true mountain character. You can find these as bonus episodes

So whether you’re chasing powder, chasing dreams, or chasing quiet moments of clarity — Season 4 was packed with stories to stir your spirit and stretch your perspective.

I've got plenty of great stories to come. This is still a side hustle and passion project, so I have to make time to find inspiring guests who love the mountains and then do some research and prep. So please stick with me.

Now, one thing that will really help and encourage me,  is to hear from you. I'd love to know what you like about the show. I'd love your feedback. And to encourage your support I'll send you one of the limited edition BTM caps. So please DM on instagram or facebook.

Oh yeah, Let me know what you think of the new music for the show. I'm going to change up the intro a little. Keep it fresh

 OK - Let's go. Allons-y.  See you soon.

Chris Price takes the questionnaire designed to reveal his true mountain character and share his beliefs and aspirations.

Jay Sweet takes the questionnaire designed to reveal his true mountain character and share his beliefs and aspirations.

Hey everyone, welcome back to Beyond the Mountains Podcast!

Today, we’re diving into the world of architecture— I’m joined by Chris Price, founder of KLIMA Architecture, who’s redefining what it means to build and live in mountain environments.

Instagram profile : @chris.price.architect   @klima.architecture    

Website :  https://klimaarchitecture.com/

Chris is an architect, a builder and a mountain lover. His house designs are rooted in being eco-friendly, sustainable, timeless, and with a deep respect for the land.

A core principle in Chris’s work is passive design—creating buildings that work with the environment to naturally regulate temperature, harness solar energy, and minimise the need for artificial heating or cooling. 

Think 12-inch thick walls, triple-pane windows, airtight construction, and efficient orientation that makes the most of natural sunlight. 

These homes are high-performance, energy-efficient shelters built for a changing climate.

From the TreeHaus to the CrestHaus to his latest project, the PowdrHaus, Chris is showing us what’s possible when design and the environment  meet in high-altitude environments

We talk about what it means to build with nature instead of against it, and how thoughtful design can dramatically reduce our environmental footprint without sacrificing comfort or style.

Chris also opens up about life beyond the drawing board—raising a family, snowboarding and skinning up the mountain before sunrise, mountain biking and BBQ's with his mates

And of course, we end with the three big questions I ask every guest: What have the mountains taught you? How do they make you feel? And when have you had to go beyond?

So whether you're a design nerd, a climate-conscious homeowner, or someone curious about building a better future—this conversation is for you.

As a bonus episode, Chris agreed to take the Beyond the Mountains questionnaire to reveal HIS true mountain character. 

You can find that after this inspiring conversation. 

Hello friends, I am your host, Ashley Pettit. Welcome to the Beyond the Mountains podcast. Where I talk to people who live, work and play in the mountains.

Let's start the intro music and get on with the show. Allons-y

How can you help the show and grow the community?

Connect / leave a comment and follow

• Please Rate & Review me on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
• Follow us on social media 
• Instagram :   @beyondthemountains.podcast 
• Facebook :    Beyond the mountains podcast
• Join the conversation: Comment on Instagram or send us a message I'd love to hear from you.
• Share this episode with a friend! If you enjoyed it, tag us on social media and let us know your favorite takeaway from the show