P3: Pipes, Parks, and Powder

One of the most charismatic, popular, and talented snowboarders in the world, Todd Richards, tells the story of his life as a skateboarder–turned–world–class–snowboarder, and of the sport that in less than 10 years has gone from underground to the forefront of the Olympics.

In the late 1980s snowboarders were seen by skiers as skate–punks and 'knuckle–draggers' but in just a few years the sport has rapidly gained popularity in ski areas and resorts. By 1994 snowboarding was an exhibition sport at the Winter Olympics in Lillehammer; since then it has become one of the most popular sports in the Olympics. Todd Richards was there through it all and, as he tells his story, he shares the history of his sport.

Todd Richards is one of the biggest names in pro snowboarding. Now his image is on PlayStation games, plastic toys and countless magazines. He's won world championships and X Games medals. Known for his wit, work ethic, and front side 900, Todd has helped bring snowboarding out of obscurity and into the limelight. The sport continues to gain momentum through growing media coverage, and no professional embodies the image and attitude of snowboarding better than Todd Richards.