At 31 years old, Scotty James has spent more of his life on a snowboard than off one. The Australian halfpipe star first strapped in at the age of three, and two decades later, he’s still competing at the highest level of the sport.
A new Netflix documentary, Scotty James: Pipe Dream, traces his journey from those early childhood winters to a career that includes an Olympic bronze from Pyeongchang, silver from Beijing, World Championship titles and X Games gold medals.
In a recent sit-down, James opened up about the work behind his success, how fatherhood has changed his outlook, and why his approach to competition in 2025 is shaped more by gratitude than pressure.
For those who have only seen James on podiums, the documentary offers a different perspective. Twenty years of home videos reveal the sacrifices and setbacks that came before the medals.
“I think people sometimes assume it all came pretty easily,” James said. “When you look back at those early years, it’s clear how much work went into just getting my foot in the door. Moving overseas, being away from family, chasing snow year after year. It wasn’t always picture perfect.”
Asked to name three career moments that still give him goosebumps, James pointed to his first World Championship win and his first X Games gold, “just because of what it took to get there mentally.”
But some of his most treasured memories have nothing to do with hardware.
“Honestly, some of the best moments haven’t been on podiums at all: landing a run you’ve worked on for months or pushing the level in training. Those moments stay with you as well.”
A calmer, more patient competitor
Scotty James is clear about where he has evolved most over 20 years in the sport.
“Mentally, without a doubt,” he said. “I understand myself a lot better now. How I respond to pressure, how to manage expectations, how to prepare properly. Physically, I feel strong, and I’m training at the highest level to improve my skillset, but mentally I’m calmer and more patient.”
That mental shift has been helped, in part, by becoming a father to his son Leo.
“What surprised me is how much becoming a dad has helped my mindset. I’m more relaxed, more focused when it matters, and I don’t get caught up in the small stuff as much. It’s given me a really great perspective in ways that I wasn’t expecting.”
Being away from his family remains the hardest part of life on the competitive circuit.
“Being away is the hardest part, no question.”
As for whether Leo will follow in his father’s footsteps, James is taking a relaxed approach.
“If and when Leo wants to be on a board, I’ll definitely try and be chill-dad mode. I want him to enjoy it and always have fun. If it becomes his thing, amazing, but there’s no pressure from our end as parents. I’ve learned how important that is.”
Eyes on Livigno
With competitions in Livigno on the horizon and the possibility that these could be his final Winter Olympics, James said his mindset has shifted.
“It definitely makes you appreciate it more. I still want to compete at the highest level possible, but there’s also a sense of gratitude now. I want to enjoy the process, trust the work I’ve put in and walk away knowing I gave it everything.”
In preparation, James and his team have returned to fundamentals. Arriving at this stage of his career in strong form, having recently claimed his fifth consecutive X Games gold medal in halfpipe. The win sees him equal the historic tally of American Shaun White, cementing his place among the greatest halfpipe riders the sport has seen.
“We’ve gone back to basics a bit. A lot of balance work, mobility and getting really comfortable before pushing things further. There’s been some change, so it’s about trusting the process. You don’t always feel great right away, but that’s part of building toward your best riding.”
Beyond the halfpipe
Looking ahead, James remains motivated to compete but is equally focused on the sport’s future.
“I still feel really motivated to be the best snowboarder I can be. That isn’t going to change,” he said. “Off the snow, it’s been incredibly fulfilling to be more involved in the future of the sport. Whether it’s my work with Thredbo or the X Games, I’m committed to making the sport better for the future generation of snow sport athletes.”
When asked how he hopes to be remembered, James paused.
“That’s a tough one. I want to be remembered as someone who was always true to myself, helped raise the sport and did it the right way. Hopefully, someone who showed that you can have longevity at the top if you’re willing to keep evolving and adapting.”
You can catch Scotty James in action in Livigno at the Winter Olympics
