Paula Roenkkoe

Finland

Who am I? I wish I knew... still working out the answer to that question as we speak. Born in a country that is located "between Norway and New Zealand" (quoting a hotel receptionist in Myrtle Beach, SC) and no, it is NOT Sweden. I am from Finland! It's that weird, beautiful country way up north where Santa Claus comes from. In Finland everyone is blonde with blue eyes and people speak an impossible language.

I spent my school years thinking I'd never leave my home country for more than two weeks at a time. Life's funny and I have been on an extended two-week trip away from home for over a decade. Home is where the heart is, and I am lucky to have been able to experience three continents as my home so far.

Movement and laughter are the common denominators in all my activities, whether it is on snow, in a dance studio, on the street, on rock, in the forest... I never stop moving and can't wait to see what comes around the corner. The journey continues and "laughter is the shortest distance between two people" (Victor Borge), so I am never too far from family and friends.

Birthday? 02.01.1977

Year you first started at Black Diamond? Year of the Snake... 2001

Memory/story of your first week at Black Diamond? I could not find the bathrooms.

What does working at Black Diamond mean to you? It's my reason for being where I am, at least physically... I surely would not be in Switzerland without Black Diamond. Source of some of my best friends (and it pays my rent, too).

If you weren't working for Black Diamond, what would you be doing? Street artist.

Worst job you've ever had? I love everything I do...

Do you have any pets? Just occasional spiders in the corners of my home.

Favorite sports/activities? Skiing, dancing, pilates, running, golfing, biking to work, bouldering, travelling, painting. watching people, talking nonsense, sleeping, laughing, anything that involves the mountains or the sea.

Favorite skiing area and why? No favorites... all I need is powder and good people to ski with!

Best skiing experience? Reaching the top or cruising down through powder... no matter where it takes place.

What's your dream trip? Where? With who? New Zealand with a really good-looking guy.

Guilty pleasure? I have none... I am an angel. (Well, maybe ice cream, if I must mention one.)

BD gear you use every time you go skiing? Everything... I don't own any other brand.

What/who inspires you? Extraordinary people and nature.

What's in your iPod? Funny Finnish songs, some Metallica and Mozart.

Three things you'd never travel without? Pen, paper, my eyeglasses.

Superstitions? Broken glass is supposed to bring good luck, so I keep breaking things out of glass.

What's your dream job? Clown.

If you could have dinner with three people (dead or alive) who would they be? Socrates, Jesus, George Clooney.

Do you have any tattoos or piercings? A rose on the shoulder.