Nicolas Mueller. The name sparks images of tweaky, floaty style, inimitable yet desired by everyone who gathers the slightest glimpse of his riding. Born in the spring of 1982 and growing up in the small Swiss town of Aarau, Nicolas developed his ‘oneness’ with the snow at an early age. It may have begun with skiing, but a love for skateboarding quickly turned his skis into a snowboard, resulting in one of the most unique snowboarders on the planet.
His style is clearly distinguishable amidst a field of mediocre riders stuck in the park. Mueller breaks the confines of the man-made features, taking freestyle expression to new territory, slaying monster lines while simultaneously maintaining unmatched board control and technique, leaving a lasting impression on every witness. He uses everything to his advantage and can find lines and ways to approach natural features that most couldn’t even dream.
In 2005, Nicolas was voted Transworld Snowboarder of the year, and although it can be difficult to live up to industry expectations, Nicolas has charged forwards on multiple fronts as one of snowboarding’s leading professionals, bringing his earnest attitude to everything he does, from big mountain riding, to contests, to mini-shred and even environmentally conscious thinking – something more snowboarders should be concerned with.
Although perhaps not considered a ‘contest guy’ Mueller still manages to attend major world wide competitions, competing against the best of them and pulling off great results. His ‘tweaky, floaty style’ was developed in the Swiss pipes at Laax, a signature style that still holds up to this day. His recent competitive adventures have earned him a couple TTR Titles and numerous Top 5 finishes.
In 2007, he won the TTR 6-Star O’Neill Evolution Quarterpipe alongside the 4-Star Popcorn Snickers Classic. In 2008, he returned to the O’Neill Evolution QP finishing 4th. In one of the most unique and progressive snowboard competitions, the 4-Star Quiksilver Natural selection, Jackson Hole found Nicolas in his element resulting in another 4th place finish. Mueller was recently invited to the prestigious 6-Star Oakley Arctic Challenge in Norway. His 5th place finish was a result of his back-breaking tweaked McTwists, BS Airs and even one-footers that wowed both the crowd and his fellow riders. After posting just six results this season, Nicolas still managed to finish high in the end of season rankings at TTR World No. 19.
“If the vibe is right, I like contests a lot! It can be some of the greatest times to session at a competition and push each other to new levels and everything in front of a sick crowd - hell, yeah! As long as these events are made for snowboarders by snowboarders, I'm on it.” – Transworldsnowboarding.com
Mueller’s riding can be seen in any number of Absinthe films, including the latest film of the year, Optimistic?, a film that documents fresh riding from all sides of snowboarding from backcountry, to park, to urban. Burton’s latest flick, Thanks in Advance also follows Nicolas and friends to Greenland, proving you can snowboard just about anywhere, on just about anything.
“For me, I love snowboarding so much. I’m out there riding all year almost, and I just want to progress for myself. There are so many mountains and so much room to be creative. That’s the great thing about snowboarding; it’s more like an art form than a sport… That’s what its all about. Just having fun. And there’s nobody that can tell you how you have the most fun. You gotta find it out for yourself. Strap on a snowboard and forget about everything you know. At the end of the season, you may look back, but your next season will never be the same. You’ll never know where the road brings you.”
-Nicolas Mueller – For Right or Wrong
