Travis Rice facts for kids
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men's snowboarding | ||
Representing  United States |
||
| Winter X Games | ||
| Gold | 2002 Aspen | Slopestyle |
| Gold | 2009 Aspen | Big Air |
| Bronze | 2004 Aspen | Slopestyle |
| Silver | 2007 Aspen | Best Trick |
| TTR World Snowboard Tour | ||
| Bronze | 2007 | Overall |
Travis Rice (born October 9, 1982) is a famous American snowboarder. Many people consider him one of the best snowboarders ever. Snowboarder magazine even named him one of the top 20 most important snowboarders of the last 20 years. Travis has appeared in over twenty snowboarding movies.
One of his most famous moments happened at a contest called "Superpark." He performed an amazing trick, a 'backside rodeo,' over a huge 117-foot jump! Red Bull called him the best snowboarder in the world in 2013.
Contents
Early Life and Snowboarding Beginnings
Travis Rice grew up in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. His home was very close to the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. His dad, Paul Rice, was part of the Jackson Hole Ski Patrol. Travis first learned to ski, just like his dad.
At first, he didn't quite understand why everyone loved snowboarding so much. But soon, he tried it and quickly became very good. He even joined the local snowboarding team! Travis still lives in the Jackson Hole area today. He has a sister named Ashley and his mother is Becky Rice.
Travis Rice in Competitions
Travis Rice started his professional snowboarding career in 2001. When he was 18, he went to a big contest called "Superpark" in California. He didn't even have a sponsor yet!
Becoming a Snowboarding Star
At Superpark, Travis did an incredible backside rodeo trick over a 117-foot jump. This amazing move got him noticed by everyone in the snowboarding world. A film producer saw him and asked him to be in a movie.
Travis has continued to impress people with his skills. He has won many big contests, including several US Opens and an X-Games gold medal. He was also the first person to land a "double rodeo 1080" trick in a competition.
Snowboarding Films and Media
Travis Rice has made many incredible video parts for snowboarding films. He's known for jaw-dropping tricks, like a "switch 540" over Chad's Gap in Utah. That jump is a massive 120-foot gap in the backcountry!
In 2008, Travis helped create and starred in the movie That's It That's All. This film featured many other top snowboarders. His part in the movie was amazing, including the first-ever "double cork 1260." This helped him win many awards, like "Rider of the Year."
In 2011, Travis released another big film called The Art of Flight. It was made with the same team as That's It That's All. This movie was also a huge success. It helped Travis win "Rider of the Year" awards again in 2012.
In 2012, Travis worked with Red Bull to create a special competition. It was called "Natural Selection" and took place in the backcountry of British Columbia, Canada. Top snowboarders competed on natural terrain. Travis Rice himself won the first event!
Travis is also a playable character in the video game SSX. He was the first real-life snowboarder to be in that game series. He later released more films, The Fourth Phase in 2016 and Dark Matter in 2019.
Competition Highlights
Here are some of Travis Rice's top achievements in snowboarding:
2023
- 1st place, Yeti Natural Selection Tour in Revelstoke, BC
2016–2017
- TransWorld Snowboarding Men's Readers Choice Award
2011–2012
- 1st place, Red Bull Supernatural, Baldface Lodge, BC (Backcountry Freestyle)
- TransWorld Rider of the Year (his 4th time winning this award)
- Snowboarder Magazine Rider of the Year (his 2nd time winning this award)
- National Geographic Adventurer of the Year
2008–2009
- 1st place (Gold), X-Games Big Air Competition (2009)
- TransWorld Rider of the Year (his 3rd time winning this award)
- Snowboarder Magazine Rider of the Year
2007–2008
- 1st place, Quiksilver Natural Selection, Jackson Hole, WY (Backcountry Freestyle)
- 1st place, ICER AIR, San Francisco, CA (Big Air event). He scored 95 for his Double backside Rodeo 1080.
- 1st place, Winter X Games Big Air Double Cork 1080
2006–2007
- 1st place, US Open Slopestyle (2007)
- 2nd place (Silver), Winter X Games, Snowboard Best Trick (2007)
2004–2005
- TransWorld Rider of the Year, Reader's Choice (his 2nd time winning this award)
- Named one of the Top 20 Greatest Athletes by Faces Magazine
- 3rd place (Bronze), Winter X Games 2005 (Slopestyle)
- 1st place, US Snowboard Grandprix, Breckenridge, Co (Rails)
2003–2004
- TransWorld Rider of the Year (2004)
- Ticket To Ride (TTR) World Snowboard Tour – Quarterpipe Champion (2003/2004)
- 1st place, Arctic Challenge, Trysilfjellet, Norway (Quarterpipe Overall)
- 1st place, Boost Mobile Pro-Jam
- 1st place, Abominable Snow Jam (Slopestyle)
- 1st place, Abominable Snow Jam (Quarterpipe)
- 1st place, Grand Prix, Breckenridge, Co. (Rail)
- 1st place, US Open Rail Jam
2002–2003
- 1st place (Gold), Winter X-Games, 2002 (Slopestyle)
- Ticket To Ride (TTR) World Snowboard Tour – Quarterpipe Champion (2002/2003)
- 1st place, Grand Prix, Breckenridge (Big Air)
- 1st place, The Session, Vail, Colorado (Rail Jam)
- 1st place, US Open, Stratton, Vermont (Rail Jam)
2001–2002
- TransWorld Rookie Of The Year
- 1st place (FIS Halfpipe), FIS, Park City
- 1st place, Yahoo Big Air, Breckenridge, Co. (Big Air)
Travis Rice's Video Parts
Travis Rice has been featured in many snowboarding films. Here are some of them:
- Dark Matter (2019)
- Depth Perception (2017)
- The Fourth Phase (2016)
- The Art of Flight (2011)
- Neverland (2009)
- That's It, That's All (2008)
- DC MTN.LAB 1.5 (2007)
- Billabong – Lines (2007)
- DC MTN.LAB
- The Gap Session
- First Descent
- The Community Project
- Pop
- Night of the Living Shred
- The Prophecy (2002)
- Revenge of the Grenerds
- Futureproof
- More
- Full Metal Edges
- Saturation
- Vivid (2002)
- Deeper (2010)
- Blacklight (2001)
- Transcendence (2002)
See also
In Spanish: Travis Rice para niños
