Livigno, Italy – Australian snowboarder Scotty James is entering his fifth Winter Olympic Games with a clear ambition: to secure the elusive gold medal that has defined his career. As he prepares for the halfpipe competition, beginning (5.30am AEDT), James reflects on a journey marked by consistent success, personal transformation, and a growing legacy that extends beyond the podium.
The 31-year-old James, a four-time Olympian, has already secured bronze in and silver in . He has also claimed multiple World Championship titles (2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2025) and X Games victories, including a record eighth title earned in January with a groundbreaking trick combination. Yet, the pursuit of Olympic gold remains the central narrative of his competitive story.
James acknowledges the weight of expectation, describing the quest for gold as “the elephant in the room,” a sentiment echoed in his recent documentary, Pipe Dream. The film, released in December, offers an intimate look into his life and career, a decision he admits was “incredibly terrifying” but ultimately worthwhile. He hopes the documentary will broaden the appeal of action sports and highlight the dedication of athletes often operating outside the mainstream.
“We’re all kind of misfits,” James said. “Maybe we didn’t fit in somewhere else in the world and we found ourselves in this industry. I was one of those people. I probably didn’t go to school and cooperate like I should have.”
The landscape of James’ life has shifted significantly since his last Olympic appearance. He married Canadian singer-songwriter Chloe Stroll, daughter of billionaire Lawrence Stroll and sister of Formula 1 driver Lance Stroll, in . The couple have an 18-month-old son, Leo, who James describes as his “inspiration personified” and “guiding light.”
Becoming a father prompted introspection about the risks inherent in snowboarding. “I think being a snowboarder in such a risky sport, naturally, when you’re thinking about having kids … I wasn’t sure if it was the right thing to do,” he explained. However, Leo has proven to be a source of strength, and focus. “What’s pretty grim is you’ve got a lot more to live for now. Does that make me more scared to go out and try things that I need to do to win? I thought about that when we were having Leo, but to be honest, it’s been an amazing blessing. It’s shown me to be very present every day.”
James’ approach to halfpipe riding is characterized by a commitment to technical difficulty, prioritizing backside and switch-backside maneuvers, a strategy he describes as pushing a “large rock uphill.” This contrasts with many competitors who opt for easier frontside hits. He believes this dedication to progression is crucial for shaping the future of the sport.
Beyond personal accolades, James is focused on leaving a lasting impact on the Australian snowboarding community. He has been instrumental in the creation of Australia’s first Olympic-sized halfpipe at the Thredbo Resort, providing a vital training facility for aspiring athletes, including young talents like Valentino Guseli.
A long-term goal is to bring major snowboarding events to Australian soil. “I think it would probably most likely be through an event like X Games, which I hope will happen,” James said. “The list goes on of all these athletes who spend so much time away from Australia to compete, which is a blessing – but it would be amazing and probably the most rewarding thing for me in my career is to watch all of them and myself compete in front of my own crowd.”
Despite his age, James remains confident in his ability to compete at the highest level. He recently made history by successfully linking a switch backside 1440 into a backside 1440, a feat no other snowboarder has accomplished. He attributes his continued success to a holistic approach to physical and mental well-being.
“No-one thought back-to-back backside 1440s was possible. I’m 31 years old and I did it,” James stated. “I don’t think that an Olympic gold medal is unattainable. I look after myself, I take care of myself mentally and physically. I love what I do every single day, and this is not my last go-around either. I think it’s possible to win and I think it’s possible to win again, as long as I look after myself and see how we go.”
However, James insists that his worth as an athlete is not solely defined by Olympic success. He views representing his country and pursuing his passion as inherently valuable. “Yesterday I drove into the mountain with my family in the car, and I looked over at the pipe … and I just thought, what an amazing opportunity,” he said. “Honestly, I think to be here and represent the country and be at the Olympics is special. I don’t take life for granted at all. The only promise any of us can make as human beings, regardless if we’re athletes or not, is our best. For me, that’s what I plan to do. And my best hopefully is good enough to get it done.”
