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Great Heights: The making of the Hedvig Wessel collection

Throughout Hedvig Wessel's life, the mountains have always been her guide. They are her internal compass, directing her path in skiing and beyond. Hedvig’s love for the mountains shaped her into a six-time Norwegian mogul champion and sent her on her way to become a dominant force in big mountain skiing.

So naturally, Hedvig had majestic Norwegian mountains in her mind when she sat down to paint the mood board for her first signature helmet and goggle collection. A week later, she embarked on her first climb up Stetind, the national mountain of Norway. Rising 1,400 meters out of the earth like an enormous shark tooth, Stetind is a towering image of power and drama. It cuts a striking profile that for centuries has been used as a landmark, navigating sailors home.

Photo: Sophie Odelberg

After that climb, Stetind became the guide for Hedvig's collection. It inspired rugged grey textures, vivid color blocking, delicate contour lines, and goggle lenses that shine the same blue as a sunny Norwegian sky.

As Hedvig sees it, “Stetind symbolizes life in such a beautiful way; strong, proud, humble, dramatic, and magnificent."

Ten months later––after many rounds of samples, feedback, and more samples––Hedvig embarked on another mission up Stetind, this time in her finished collection. It was a grueling 14-hour day on the mountain, but summiting Stetind in her signature helmet and goggles was a big achievement.

Photo: Oscar Barkenbom
Photo: Oscar Barkenbom

Of that moment, Hedvig says, "I felt proud to be on the top wearing my helmet and goggle––I felt connected to the mountain in a different way. The climb and the collection have challenged me in new ways, and I hope to inspire others to push their limits and seek their fullest potential."

Perhaps more than any other, this signature collection is a reflection of its creator. It expresses Hedvig's homeland, her motivation, her style, and the direction she seeks in the mountains. Coupled with the standard safety and performance of the Obex BC Mips and Orb Clarity, it is a combination that inspires adventure.


Photo: Sophie Odelberg
Photo: Sophie Odelberg


This winter, Hedvig will take her helmet and goggles with her on a new journey. After earning the Freeride World Tour runner-up title three years in a row, she is stepping away from the tour and throwing herself wholeheartedly into a film project. If her approach to her signature collection––and her approach to life––says anything about how this will go, we are in for a treat. It seems that when Hedvig follows her inner compass, it leads to great heights.

Hedvig Wessel Signature Collection_