Brian’s Bio

My name is Brian Rice, but most people in the snowboarding world know me as FlyinBrian. I grew up in Farmington, Michigan, and started snowboarding at Alpine Valley, a small local hill that became my playground and training ground. That’s where I fell in love with the sport and learned what it means to truly work for something you care about and pursue it.

Coming from the Midwest, I didn’t have big mountains or ideal conditions. Just an obsession with something that brought me joy and an escape to feel free. The goal has always been to keep getting better every single day – and to have fun doing it!   I spent every winter chasing progression, pushing myself to ride harder, jump higher, and build a style that felt true to me. That hunger eventually led me to train with Snowboard Club Vail, where I had the chance to work with some of the best coaches and riders in the world, including my coaches Chris Laske and Andy Weber.

My ultimate goal is to become the first Black American to compete in the Winter Olympics for snowboarding. I want to open doors for others who look like me and show that no dream is too far out of reach no matter where you come from. Representation matters, and I hope my journey helps inspire the next generation of riders to believe in their own potential and chase it with everything they’ve got.

Over the years Ive realized that Snowboarding has taught me more than just tricks. It’s shaped my mindset and my values. To stay present, never stop trying, help others, stay humble, and always find the lesson in every challenge. Whether I’m competing, training, or just riding with friends, I try to bring that same energy and love for the sport to everything I do.

At the end of the day, I always still feel like a kid from Michigan who fell in love with snowboarding and never stopped chasing it. The journey has taken me places I only dreamed of, and I’m still pushing for more, more progression, more growth, and more opportunities to inspire others to do what they love.

I sincerely Hope you enjoyed hearing a little bit about me!