Still early in his career but already impossible to ignore, 16-year-old Colin Frans is part of a new generation of riders blending competitive focus with style, composure, and adaptability. Hailing from Minnesota and shaped by Midwest park laps, USASA contests, and a steady climb through the Futures and Rev Tours, Frans is building his reputation on consistency and control rather than flash alone.
The 2024–25 season marked a clear turning point. After strong results on the Rev Tour and a standout showing at USASA Nationals, Frans carried that momentum into the urban scene, ultimately claiming the 2025 overall title on the Rock A Rail Tour. Podium finishes across multiple stops, including a hard-fought third place in Innsbruck under less-than-ideal circumstances, confirmed not only his rail precision but also his ability to perform under pressure.
In this interview, Frans reflects on his progression from a young park rider to a tour-winning competitor, the people and values that ground him, and the mindset that allows him to keep pushing forward. With bigger events on the horizon and long-term goals firmly in sight, his story is less about overnight success and more about steady growth, belief, and showing up when it counts.
Interview by Alba Pardo
How did snowboarding first enter your life, and what made you want to take it seriously rather than just ride for fun?
I started skiing when I was 4 and switched to snowboarding when I was 7. I first got into park riding at Afton Alps, Afton MN and Hyland Park, Bloomington MN, and that’s where I really started to love snowboarding. Competing in USASA events helped me learn the basics and see what I needed to work on. As I moved from USASA into Futures Tour and then Rev Tour, it felt like a natural progression. Riding with people who pushed me and podiuming at comps made me want to take it more seriously and see how far I could go.
You’ve been getting noticed for your style and consistency lately, was there a moment when you felt your riding “clicked” and you knew you could really push this further?
Competing last season at Mammoth Rev Tour was a big confidence booster for me; taking 4th against a really stacked field helped me feel like I belonged at that level. Winning the Men’s Open Class Slopestyle at the USASA National Championships and finishing the season ranked 19th overall in the U.S. and 2nd under 18 for Slopestyle helped me trust my riding more and feel comfortable pushing myself for bigger events.
Every rider has something that shapes their identity on a board. What do you think defines your riding style right now, and what are you trying to develop next?
I think my riding right now is defined by consistency and control. I like keeping things clean and smooth, and making tricks flow naturally instead of forcing things. Competing in the Rock A Rail Tour and podiuming at the three events I entered played a big role in that for me. Moving forward, I’m trying to keep building my rail game with more tech and flow. A rail trick I want to get is back 450 on, pretzel 270; a slope trick is back triple 16.
Who are the riders or crews that influence you the most, either in how you approach features, creativity, or how you carry yourself in the scene?
I’ve been fortunate to have great coaching. Ryan Conway, Casey Lehmicke and Joe Tottal have all played a big role in my progression and helped guide me through each level of competition. Johnny Hancheck has been a huge influence. When I was 12, he saw a trick that caught his attention and invited me to join CHECKtheFeed Team. He’s continued to support me and help open doors to opportunities, which I’m grateful for. I’ve also been pushed a lot by riding with friends and teammates, especially the Buck Hill Freestyle Team in Burnsville, MN. That crew has been a big part of my growth and kept things fun while pushing me to level up. Riders like Diego Del Toro, Haakon Rasmussen, and Mac Greenhouse have all positively challenged me. We got good together early on, and riding with them pushed me to step things up while keeping it fun.
You’ve been showing up strong in events and jams. What’s your mindset going into those sessions, and how do you deal with the pressure of performing when everyone’s watching?
I try to trust the work I’ve put in. My faith is important to me, and I try to keep God at the center of everything I do. That helps me stay grounded. At rail jams, having people watching and hyped actually fires me up in a good way and helps me ride with more confidence. My favorite part of rail jam events is the energy, getting to meet other riders, hanging out and connecting with everyone.
Progression isn’t always smooth. What’s a challenge you’ve faced recently, mentally, physically, or within the industry, and how did you work through it?
Just two weeks before Rock A Rail Innsbruck, I sustained a high ankle sprain while training at Bangar Park after landing a 19 wrong. At first, I was worried it might be torn and what that could mean for the season. On top of that, when I got to Innsbruck, the airlines lost my board bag. So, not only was I riding on a sore ankle for the first time since he injury, but I also had to compete on brand-new equipment that wasn’t broken in yet.
I’m so grateful to Nidecker Snowboards and Deeluxe Boots for stepping up and getting me a replacement board and boots so quickly; it took a lot of stress off and made it possible for me to compete. I told myself to just feel it out, do what I could, and be ok with however it played out. Taking 3rd under those circumstances was a huge confidence boost and reminded me how important it is to stay adaptable.
What does a good riding day look like for you?
Landing a new trick or feeling like I’ve really improved on something I’m working on, even if it’s just a small step, makes for a good riding day. Riding with friends, having good energy, and pushing each other makes it even better.
If you look ahead to the coming seasons, what are the goals you’re most excited about; whether that’s filming, travelling, landing certain tricks, or making your mark in certain events?
My goals for this season are to keep progressing on the Rev Tour and put myself in a position to podium. Doing well there is important because those results help open the door to invites at the next level. I’m excited for the opportunity to show up at Junior Worlds and compete, and I’d love to keep earning invites to pro-level rail jams. Long-term, earning an invite to the U.S. team is something I’m working towards, but my main focus is continuing to improve and taking full advantage of every opportunity I’m given.
What do you think up-and-coming riders need most right now to keep progressing: support, resources, opportunities, something else? And how has this played into your own journey?
Sponsors make a big difference, having their support, even if just supplying equipment. They can help with opportunities, especially when it comes to getting invites to events or even just having a chance to qualify for the ones that count. Just getting the opportunity to compete is huge. Rock A Rail was a big one for me, I was excited to just be there and say I was a part of it. Getting to compete at that level was the opportunity. I really believe that if you can ride, getting invited to events, having a chance to show up, and prove yourself is everything.
When you imagine your future in snowboarding, what impact do you hope to have?
I want to have an impact where God shines through me in how I ride, compete, and treat people. I want to be known as someone who rides with consistency, style, and respect for the sport while staying true to my faith. Being a good role model for younger kids is important to me, showing them, you can work hard, stay humble, and chase big goals while keeping your values.
I’m really thankful for the people and brands who have supported me along the way, my parents, coaches and teammates who keep pushing me. I also appreciate the backing of Never Summer Industries, CHECKtheFeed, Dang Shades, Deeluxe Boots, and programs like Monster Army Development Team that help riders chase big goals. I’m grateful for the interest and support from Nidecker Snowboards as well and excited to keep those conversations going as I work toward the next level. None of this happens without the people and companies who believe in me, and I don’t take any of it for granted.
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