How important is riding skill for trail builders, especially for big jumps?
I think riding is essential. You need to understand how a bike leans, and how the shape of a curve — whether it’s a turn, a line in the terrain, or a compression — affects your balance and control. If you want to become a skilled builder, you need to both build and ride a lot of different stuff. That’s definitely been the case for me. Looking at the people at the forefront of machine operating, shaping, or cutting new lines, you can really see their riding reflected in their work.
If you’re hired for a build, you also need a solid understanding of bike handling to understand the vision and directions of whoever you’re building for. Some riders aren’t into building at all, so it’s crucial to have a common ground — and that’s always the riding. For big jumps, where the risks are higher, this becomes even more important, because small changes can have big consequences.
Rapid-fire questions:
Do you enjoy riding hand-cut or machine-built trails more?
Wow, that’s not really a rapid-fire question. I enjoy both. For example, the trails in Finale Ligure, Italy, have never seen a machine, but they’re still super fun and flowy.
Big jumps often require machines, but hand-shaping is still important. I really love what Remy Morton does—mixing hand-building with machine work, stacking rocks, and sculpting to make everything both rideable and visually perfect.
What’s the most memorable trail you’ve ridden?
Kong in Virgin. Just such an insane feeling to ride something I’ve read about and seen on film. It’s completely different from anything I’ve ever ridden in Norway, and the dirt there is so good!
What’s your bucket list destination?
Queenstown, New Zealand or Canada — I don’t think I could pick just one destination. It seems like there are endless good spots to ride.
What’s your advice for someone who wants to start building trails?
Ride a lot. Pay attention to how shaping and rebuilding affect a jump or berm when you ride it. Get involved with your local bike club and help out on dig days. Your first builds will probably be pretty shit, haha — ride them, rebuild them, and keep learning. Don’t worry about the work being too hard; just start and enjoy both building and riding. And don’t take shortcuts by building features out of sticks and moss — use proper dirt and rocks.
When you’re a young, “hungry” trail builder, you’re not always aware of the legal side of things. Having a proper agreement with the landowner is crucial because of legal responsibilities. It’s also very disappointing to put hundreds of hours into a build only for it to be torn down.
Any last thoughts on the state of trail building in Norway?
Norway has become so sick over the last few years. I feel like we’re moving in a really good direction, building a lot of different types of facilities — especially for recruitment and making mountain biking available for more people.
We still have a long way to go, though. I’d love to see more hand-built and community-built trails and spots around. You can always tell when you’re riding a trail that’s been built with a lot of passion and cared for by a strong trail-building community.
Just gather your friends and build something you want to ride — it’s the best feeling!
