From gritty street rail edits to powder-filled epics like Travis Rice’s The Art of Flight, there’s no shortage of snowboard films to get you hyped for the upcoming season. But this isn’t that kind of list. Nor is it ski documentaries. These are the best snowboarding documentaries we’ve watched over the years. Films that dive into the people, the culture, and the stories that make the sport what it is.
Let it Ride: The Craig Kelly story
Before Travis Rice. Before Terje Haakonsen. Before any pro you can name… there was Craig Kelly. The Rodney Mullen of snowboarding. At the height of his comp career, Craig walked away. He gave a big middle finger to the contest scene and set off into the backcountry to chase something deeper. In doing so, he carved a new path for what it meant to be a pro rider. One that wasn’t about podiums or sponsors… but soul turns, exploration, and progression on his own terms. If you don’t know Craig Kelly’s story, this one’s a MUST-watch.
Shaun Palmer: The Miserable Champion
On one hand, he was an intense competitor—so driven he took home back-to-back wins at snowboarding’s most iconic event: the Mt. Baker Banked Slalom. On the other, he despised authority. Never afraid to speak his mind, Palmer’s quotes are the stuff of legend. This documentary dives deep into his wild ride—from rags to riches, a near-fatal overdose, and his ultimate rebirth. It’s raw, real, and 100% Palmer.
Against the Grain: A Documentary on the Life of Tara Dakides
If you were a young kid in the mid to late ’90s, chances are you had a crush on Tara Dakides. And it wasn’t just the boys. My wife looked up to her too, for what she represented in snowboarding. I still remember her parts in those classic Mack Dawg videos, especially Stand & Deliver, with that 80s track blaring while she exuded confidence and pushed the limits of what was possible on a snowboard. Against the Grain gives a raw, behind the scenes look at Tara’s life. From the outside, it all seemed effortless… but the reality was far from easy.
Deeper
At first glance, Deeper might look like just another snowboard film—it’s anything but. Instead of helicopters or chairlifts, Jeremy Jones relies solely on human power, hiking deep into the wilderness to earn every turn. This groundbreaking approach helped launch splitboarding into the mainstream and redefined what big mountain riding could be. With raw stories of brutal ascents and remote campsites, it’s a powerful reminder that the journey can be just as rewarding as the ride down. This film earned Jones the National Geographic Adventurer of the Year award—and kicked off a trilogy (Further and Higher) that every backcountry rider should watch.
Dear Rider
Streaming on HBO Max
Like Steve Jobs or Thomas Edison, Jake Burton Carpenter was a visionary—and a polarizing figure. Love him or not, there’s no denying he helped turn his passion for sideways sliding into a global snowboarding movement.
Dear Rider is an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at Jake’s life and legacy. Featuring interviews with his family, friends, and legends like Mark McMorris, Shaun White, and Kelly Clark, the film blends archival footage and home videos to tell the full story.
Brothers on the Run
Not a movie but a TV series, and one that taps into the true soul of snowboarding: the road trip. So what’s the ultimate snowboard road trip? Follow brothers John and Eric Jackson as they wrap up their season in Alaska and set off on a 15,000 mile journey south to the tip of Chile. Riding the longest navigable road in the world, they chase snow, explore new cultures, and dive into epic adventures along the way.
Unbroken
All those massive tricks you see in competitions come at a cost—one that rarely gets talked about: injuries. This film follows Canadian pro Mark McMorris as he battles through devastating setbacks, from a shattered femur to a life-threatening backcountry crash that puts him in the ICU. At his lowest point, he fights to get back to the sport he loves.
