Torstein Horgmo’s influence on modern snowboarding can’t be overstated. From street edits to backcountry lines, he's constantly evolved—blending technical progression with effortless style. But what happens when one of the most well-rounded riders in the game starts designing his own board from scratch?
In this in-depth sit down, Torstein shares a deep dive into his current film projects, gear philosophy, and the intricate process of prototyping a brand-new snowboard with Capita. It’s an unfiltered look into his mind as a rider, builder, and creative force in the sport.
Filming in the Backcountry with the Shred Bots Crew
Right now, Torstein’s in Nelson, BC, working on a backcountry project at Valhalla. The crew includes Mons Røisland, Mikey Ciccarelli, Brandon Cocard, and BR Davis. They kicked off the season with a trip to Japan, and the current project is a follow-up to their previous film Light, which dropped in 2020.
The idea this time is bigger—bringing park-style jump building into the backcountry using winch cats and precision-crafted landings. Torstein’s longtime friend and legendary park builder Charles Beckinsale is leading the build. They’re effectively creating a “dream park” deep in the mountains, with jumps that are low-impact, high-performance, and perfectly shaped.
"Being able to build jumps exactly where they should be in the backcountry… that’s something I’ve dreamed about forever."
Designing a New Snowboard from the Ground Up
Torstein is in the prototyping phase of a new Capita board—and it’s serious business. Starting with influences from the Space Echo (from his DC days), Capita’s Super DOA, and a bit of Arthur Longo’s Aeronaut, he’s crafting something truly unique. The prototype currently features a subtle 4mm taper, a 256mm waist width, and about a 2–2.5" setback stance.
He’s refining everything from nose geometry to sidecut radius to the way the board engages in edge transitions. Even the angle of the nose kick and entry curve are under scrutiny as he fine-tunes how it performs in various terrain, especially for carving across the fall line.
"We’re not inventing the snowboard—we’re making a new one. Something that rides like my vision."
The Evolution of Stance & Style
Torstein’s stance has evolved with his riding. These days, he prefers a more open stance—zero on the back foot and +15 on the front—to allow for more surfy, flowing turns. It’s a big shift from his old -9/+9 duck stance during street and park-heavy years. The change came after a life-changing trip to Alaska with John Jackson, where he realized the benefits of a directional stance in high-consequence terrain.
This evolution also ties into his desire to bring a more expressive, natural feel into his turns—drawing inspiration from surfing and freeriding. It’s not about tricks anymore—it’s about feel, flow, and precision.
Testing the Proto in the Wild
Torstein put the first round of the new board prototype through the gauntlet at Natural Selection. He started on a 160cm version, then dropped down to a 158 for better agility on course. He admits the initial stiffness of the board surprised him—in a good way. Despite its ultra-lightweight core, it still felt incredibly responsive.
He’s working closely with Capita’s factory team, experimenting with wood core profiling, flex patterns, and even the silhouette of the nose—considering how it looks from the rider’s perspective and how it feels on edge.
Bindings, Boots & Board Feel
Torstein’s setup wouldn’t be complete without talking bindings and boots. He’s been riding Union’s Atlas bindings, favoring a simple, responsive strap setup. His forward lean is consistent: two notches on both bindings, regardless of stance or terrain.
Boot-wise, he’s on the Vans Verse (Blake Paul model), which he praises for comfort and performance after years with DC. Interestingly, he even shaves down the Vibram soles for a lower ride and better board feel.
Outerwear & Sustainability
For outerwear, he rides with Norrona—a Norwegian brand focused on durability and sustainability. Torstein loves their gear not just for the quality but for the philosophy behind it: fewer, better pieces that last. He’s still using the same pair of pants for multiple seasons, which he says was unheard of in his early years when the goal was always new, new, new.
"The easiest way to be more sustainable is to use what you already have and make it last."
Advice for the Next Generation
For the next wave of riders, Torstein offers some real talk. Patience is key. Passion matters. And your local hill—no matter how small—is enough.
He encourages young riders to ride as much as they can, on whatever terrain they have access to. Build your crew, share the passion, and know that if you truly love it, snowboarding can become your life. There’s space for everyone.
This conversation was a rare, honest look into the brain of one of snowboarding’s most influential modern figures. Torstein continues to push boundaries—not just in tricks or terrain—but in creativity, board design, and mindset.
Content courtesy of The Riders Lounge
