Ali Hay, 21, travelled up to Aviemore in late December and has since been living in sub-zero temperatures in his Transit van just so that he can take advantage of the snow-covered mountains on his snowboard.

Having already mastered the arts of skate and surfboarding, the former Kelso High School pupil decided last year to go for the hat-trick.

In the summer he bought a season pass to Scotland's biggest ski resort, splashed out on the appropriate boarding gear and spent three weeks converting his van into a winter home.

All that was left then was to sit back and wait for some snow. At Christmas he got his wish, 10-fold.

Ali told TheSouthern: "Boarding is what I believe to be my calling in life. I soon realised that if I was able to do all three board sports then no matter where I was in the world I would be able to do one of them. So I took it on myself to master the art of snowboarding last year.

"I progressed fairly quickly, presumably because of my other boarding activities, but I didn't count on it taking over my life."

Take over his life it has, however, and after returning to the Borders a fortnight ago to visit mum and dad Sandra and Mark Hay, and younger sister Jodie at the family home in Kelso, Ali is now back in the van enjoying another spell of extreme weather.

He continued: "It's been cold ... I mean really cold, the kind of cold where your water is solid ice and your breath turns to frost on your pillow. The mornings are the worst, but as soon as I'm up and en route to the mountain the fun begins."

Ali funds his boarding activities by working part-time in bars. During the summer months he helps out in the family business, an outdoor bar company called Cheers, and working in the Town Arms in Selkirk, which is also owned by his father.

"I work at Cheers from April to November and then travel with my summer savings," he told us. "It hasn't been easy. In fact it's been a bit mental living at temperatures as low as minus 23 and getting by on three quid a day, but the boarding has more than made it worthwhile."

Worthwhile maybe, but learning the new board techniques has not all been plain sailing for the Kelso daredevil.

"I have knocked myself out a couple of times and think I may have permanently bruised my coccyx – but I haven't had too many accidents," he said. "I imagine some good ones aren't far away, though."

Ali added: "This time next year I hope to be entering some competitions. I have always pushed myself to conquer the next fear and challenge. I hate failing and boarding is a sport where it's rare to land tricks first time so it pushes you on at an alarming rate.

"I'm definitely a freestyle man so will go anywhere you can build a kicker (jump) or try a rail (stunt performed on a railing)."

In the meantime, Ali hopes to make the most of the fine Scottish weather we have been experiencing of late.