With the time difference between the U.S. and Australia, the only spot we could line up to talk with Mela Stalker was while she was driving home from the doctors. And although she is dealing with some torn ligaments in her ankles from a few seasons ago, it hasn’t seemed to slow her down one bit. Earning the “One To Watch” award at this year’s Uninvited Invitational, as well as a handful of solid finishes on the slopestyle circuit, the 21-year-old Nidecker team rider is putting her year-round riding to good use and quickly becoming a rising star from the Southern Hemisphere. Hoping to qualify for the upcoming Olympics in Italy, we thought we should get a quick chat in for a First Draft so she remembers us when she becomes super famous. 

DOB: 04/02/2004
Sponsor: Nidecker, Dragon, Gyro, Rad Gloves, Nixon
Stance: Goofy
Home Resort: Cardrona

Where are you from originally?
I’m from Sunny Coast in Queensland, Australia. A little town called Coulomb Beach.

How did you get into snowboarding?
Through my mom and dad. They met in Whistler and were full frothers in the snow scene. They took my sister and I on ski trips with them growing up and then I swapped to snowboarding around eight or nine. We did a season in Japan and from then on I was in love. Then I did the New Zealand High Cascade and yeah, it stuck.

What’s it like never having an off-season since you compete in the Northern Hemisphere and go home during the Southern Hemi winter?
Back home it’s basically both seasons. I spend most of the Europe season grinding so coming back to Australia is just like the checkup, work, training and the off-season in one. It’s the everything kind of season.

Major difference between the U.S. and Australian snowboarding scene?
I don’t really know how to explain it. A bit of a different vibe for sure. Australia is home so it always feels different overseas, but everyone is so lovely in this sport. 

How about lodge food? Anything different in NZ and Oz?
Doner kebabs for sure. I think any lodge food is pretty sick though. The poutine chips are pretty good, so you guys run that pretty well. 

Poutine is more Canadian than a U.S. dish.
I don’t think I’ve actually had lodge food in the States then to be honest.

When did you think you could make this a career?
I don’t know. I just fell in love with it. It was probably when I first started competing around 13 or 14 and figured I could try for Slopestyle.  I really enjoy doing the spinny stuff. 

Any highlights from last winter?
A big one was the Nidecker Japan trip in late January, which I was lucky enough to be part of. It was my first backcountry trip, which I hope becomes many. Nidecker has been incredibly supportive of my snowboarding goals, and when I mentioned my interest in backcountry, I was super lucky to be apart of their film trip, popping in between comps.

What are you looking forward to this winter?
I’m hoping to lock in some new tricks and secure my spot for the Milano/Cortina Winter Olympics. But more than anything, I’m just excited to get stuck back into the grind.