In recent years, Japanese women’s national team athletes have been drawing major attention through outstanding performances at global competitions such as the Winter Olympics, the X Games, and the FIS World Cup—winning medals and making a strong impact. Among these, snowboard Big Air and Slopestyle have especially stood out.

From Japan’s highly competitive snowboarding scene—where world-class athletes continue to push each other to new heights—there is one rider relentlessly taking on unprecedented challenges at the highest level. She is a professional snowboarder aiming to land some of the most difficult tricks ever achieved by a Japanese woman, while also setting her sights on a medal at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics.

That athlete is Reira Iwabuchi. She represented Japan at both the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics and the 2022 Beijing Olympics, and last year she captured her first gold medal at X Games Aspen. With an impressive record of podium finishes at numerous international competitions, she stands as one of Japan’s top snowboarders on the global stage.

At both the PyeongChang and Beijing Olympics, she finished 4th in the Big Air event—just missing out on a medal. Driven by that frustration, she continues to refine her skills every day with the goal of reaching the podium at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics.

In this interview, we spoke with Iwabuchi as she continues her pursuit of new heights. Shortly after this interview, she went on to win the final Slopestyle round of the World Cup. Despite her demanding schedule, she shared valuable insights into the mindset behind her consistent success at the highest level, her determination to land world-first tricks, and even how she spends her time off away from the intensity of competition.

Reira Iwabuchi (hereafter: L)

The untold journey of effort behind the two medals she won at X Games Aspen 2024

— Congratulations on winning medals at X Games Aspen 2024. You earned a silver in Big Air and a bronze in Slopestyle—what are your honest thoughts on the results?

L: Since I won gold in Big Air at X Games Aspen 2023, I definitely felt some pressure coming into this season. But more than that, I had never won a medal in Slopestyle at X Games before, so this time I was especially focused on achieving a result not just in Big Air, but also in Slopestyle. That’s why I’m really happy that I was able to accomplish that goal.

— Was there anything specific you focused on or prepared for leading up to this event?

L: My biggest challenge in Slopestyle has been the jib section. Compared to other riders, I wasn’t able to perform high-difficulty tricks there. So before X Games Aspen, I actually skipped one World Cup event and spent about three weeks training privately in China. I felt that improving my level was more important than competing, so I chose to focus entirely on training.

— What was the course layout like at this year’s event, including the jib section?

L: Not just this year, but X Games courses tend to have larger jib sections than other international competitions. Usually there are around six features, but at X Games there are often seven or eight. With more features, the spacing between them becomes tighter, which limits the tricks you can do. Competing on such a tight course, where my options were restricted, made it really challenging.

— After competing, what did you personally feel about your performance?

L: Honestly, I didn’t think I would win a medal this time.

During the finals, the wind was really strong, and because of my smaller build compared to many of the international riders, it was harder for me to get enough airtime. As a result, I couldn’t land the high-difficulty tricks I had planned in the jump section.

On the other hand, my jib section went well. But since I felt there was a big gap between my jump performance and the other riders, I didn’t have much confidence in my overall run. Still, the judges gave high marks to my jib tricks, and that’s what led to the medal—so honestly, I was surprised myself.

The secret to her strength lies in a level of trick execution and precision that sets her apart from other riders.

— Where do you usually train?

L: To be honest, as I travel around the world competing, my opportunities to ride in Japan have been decreasing year by year. The World Cup season starts around October, and once it begins, the focus shifts to competing rather than staying in one place to train consistently.

That said, when I am in Japan, I often train at GALA Yuzawa, where my coach has produced a course. Overseas, I base myself at Absolut Park in Austria.

Recently, the lack of snow in Japan has also become a serious issue. Even at locations that build large jumps domestically, they’re usually around 13 meters, whereas overseas you’ll find kickers reaching 20 meters. Because of that gap, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to compete at the world level while training only in Japan.

During the season, I typically arrive in the host country about a week before each competition to adjust, then compete—that cycle repeats throughout the season. Because of this schedule, I now only get to train at my base in Austria once or twice a year.

— How do you train during the off-season?

L: Most ski resorts in Japan close around the second week of April, so from May onward, I fully transition into the off-season. During that time, I train at Saitama QUEST about five to six times a week. Outside of that, I also train at KOBATORE STUDIO in Tokyo, a core-training gym run by a trainer who also works with soccer players like Yuto Nagatomo.

That’s the general routine—most Japanese athletes spend the off-season domestically from May to August, then around September head to the Southern Hemisphere, such as New Zealand, where the seasons are reversed, to begin preparations for the competitive season.

— Do you review your riding through video during training? What kind of equipment do you use?

L: You can film with a smartphone, of course, but GoPro HERO12 is especially useful for action sports. It has excellent stabilization, so even when we’re moving at high speeds and hitting jumps, the footage stays clear. That makes it really helpful for reviewing my tricks.

The GoPro 12 I’m currently using is very high-performance. The standard lens already captures great footage, but there are also attachable lenses that can enhance clarity or change the color tone, which helps improve how my tricks look on camera. That’s something I really like about it.

— As someone who constantly analyzes yourself, what do you think is your biggest strength?

L: I focus a lot on the completion and precision of my tricks in daily training, so I think my form is cleaner than many other riders. Of course, I also try to go big and make my movements more dynamic, but compared to riders with larger physiques, it’s sometimes hard to match their power and presence.

That’s why I focus on doing everything I can within my abilities and work on refining my precision to a level that stands out—something other riders might not have.

— What role do your coach and family play in supporting your career?

L: Since I started living alone and signed an exclusive contract with my coach, I spend less time with my family now. But even so, I believe they’re the ones who support me the most, and I always stay grateful for that.

My coach also dedicates a lot of time to helping me. I can be mentally fragile at times, but they understand my personality and support me not only technically but also mentally. Because of that, I feel I can truly trust them in my competitive career.

— Mental strength is crucial in events like Big Air. How do you handle that?

L: The most important thing is to address any concerns during official practice and build confidence beforehand—so I can go into the competition believing, “I’ll be okay.”

During the actual run, I try not to think about failure at all. Instead, I repeatedly visualize the entire sequence—from takeoff to landing—in my head and focus on that image.

In contrast to her intense competitive life, her off-time is all about relaxation and slowing down.

— Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of snowboarding?

L: Since I don’t really have time to do other sports, most of my hobbies are indoor activities. During trips, I enjoy reading and watching movies. I especially like mystery novels, and when it comes to films, I tend to watch emotional, moving stories.

When I’m in Japan, I also like doing puzzles or going out to take photos. Since I’m usually so focused on intense training and competition, I try to spend my free time relaxing—reading or watching movies at a slower pace.

To unwind, I sometimes go to the beach early in the morning to watch the sunrise. My cousin also loves driving, so when our schedules align, we go out to see night views together. I often find myself going to places with beautiful scenery to reset and recharge.

— Is there anything you’ve been particularly into lately?

L: Recently, I started watching a “Getsu-9” drama again for the first time in a while. Whenever I have time, I keep up with it. Right now, I’m watching Kimi ga Kokoro wo Kuretakara, starring Mei Nagano and Yuki Yamada. It’s a really emotional series, and I look forward to it every Monday.

— Do you spend time with friends outside of snowboarding as well?

L: Actually, starting tomorrow (February 19, the day after this interview), one of my hometown friends is coming to Tokyo, so we’ve been coordinating our schedules for about three months to make it happen. I usually meet up with my hometown friends around two or three times a year.

Taking on the world’s highest stage with a groundbreaking, never-before-seen trick in women’s snowboarding.

— After finishing 4th in two consecutive Olympics, just missing the podium, how do you feel heading into the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics in two years?

L: Finishing 4th twice and missing the medal by just one step really made me realize how big that gap is. In both Olympics, I gave everything I had at the time and landed my best possible tricks, but it still wasn’t enough. Of course, I’ve always been careful about preparing thoroughly, but those experiences taught me that no matter how much I prepare, it can still fall short.

That’s why now I feel like I have to push myself through even tougher training—enough to create a sense of margin within myself. Recently, I’ve been training in a way that really challenges me mentally as well.

— Have you noticed any changes since you started pushing yourself harder in training?

L: I think I’ve become less tense when performing tricks in competitions. By continuously practicing difficult tricks and getting used to both the fear and the movements, I’ve been able to create more composure, even under competition pressure.

I believe this kind of training is something I need to continue, and I think the results of it showed at X Games Aspen 2024.

— Japan has many world-class riders. How do they influence you?

L: Being surrounded by people at a world-class level keeps me from ever feeling satisfied with myself. In a good way, it creates a sense of urgency that helps maintain my motivation.

When they achieve something amazing, it pushes me too. But it’s not a relationship where we hold each other back—we all focus on our own goals while pushing each other forward. I think that makes us great rivals.

— What drives you to continue challenging high-difficulty tricks like the triple underflip?

L: Before the Beijing 2022 Olympics, I wasn’t able to land the triple underflip, and I started to feel like I had reached my limit—that maybe I couldn’t get any better.

But when I actually attempted it at the Olympics, I realized that I still had room to improve. That experience made me feel that continuing to take on challenges—even ones that seem impossible—is essential for my growth. Now, I actively embrace those challenges.

Every year, the level in women’s snowboarding is getting higher, and tricks that were once only done by men are becoming necessary. Thankfully, male riders are already pushing those boundaries, so while I’m not just copying them, I continue to challenge myself alongside that progression.

Among female riders, I want to stay at the forefront—constantly taking on new and difficult tricks at the highest level.

— How do you overcome the fear when attempting new or difficult tricks?

L: The most important thing is committing fully. Before trying new tricks on snow, I spend the off-season at places like Saitama QUEST and other training facilities, repeating them until they’re ingrained in my body and I feel confident.

So when I finally attempt them on snow, I make a clear decision not to hesitate or hold back out of fear—I commit completely and go all in.

Snowboarding continues to push me to grow—what Reira Iwabuchi strives to express as a professional rider.

— What do you love most about snowboarding? What makes it special to you?

L: What first drew me to snowboarding was the feeling of floating in the air when I jumped. I still love that sensation, but beyond that, it’s also about being able to truly connect with nature.

Since I started traveling to big mountains overseas, I’ve often been overwhelmed by the sheer scale of nature. Being in that kind of environment and riding there feels incredible, and I think that’s one of the biggest appeals of snowboarding.

— As a professional snowboarder, what do you want to express or pass on to the next generation?

L: First of all, I want everyone to always remember to enjoy snowboarding—that’s the most important thing.

For me personally, at the Beijing 2022 Olympics, I attempted a triple underflip but fell, and couldn’t achieve the result I wanted. At the time, I felt like failing to get results meant I had failed completely.

But later, I learned that many people were inspired just by seeing me take on that challenge. That changed my perspective. Moving forward, I want my riding to give people the courage to challenge themselves and take that first step—just like I did.

As for the future, I’ve always admired riders who genuinely enjoy snowboarding. Watching them have fun inspired me to keep going. So above all, I want to keep showing people that I truly enjoy what I do.

— What is your current goal?

L: My biggest goal in my career is to win a medal at the Olympics. That’s what I’m working toward every day.

— What kind of person do you ultimately want to become?

L: Through snowboarding, I’ve learned the importance of not giving up and continuing to push forward. It’s something I’ve carried with me since I was young.

Even after I eventually retire and move on to something else, I want to keep that mindset—to keep challenging myself without giving up. That’s something snowboarding has given me, and I want to hold onto it.

— Finally, what does snowboarding mean to you?

L: It’s something that helps me grow.

Through snowboarding, I’ve had the chance to travel overseas, take on new challenges, and even start learning new languages. There are so many people around the world who snowboard, and with that comes endless opportunities.

Through those connections and experiences, I’ve been able to discover new paths and build relationships. That’s something only snowboarding has made possible for me.

In that sense, snowboarding is something that constantly pushes me to grow in every aspect of my life.

Reira Iwabuchi – Profile

Born on December 14, 2001, in Iwate, Japan, Reira Iwabuchi is a professional snowboarder. Influenced by her parents, she began snowboarding at the age of four and started competing seriously from her first year of elementary school.

At just 13, she passed her professional certification, and in December 2017, she claimed her first World Cup victory in Big Air. She continued to rise in the sport, finishing No.1 in the Big Air overall rankings in the 2019–2020 FIS World Cupseason.

In 2023, she earned her first gold medal at X Games Aspen. At the PyeongChang 2018 Olympics and Beijing 2022 Olympics, she placed 4th in the Big Air event, narrowly missing the podium on both occasions.

In Slopestyle, she secured her first World Cup victory at the final event of the 2021 season. She went on to achieve the highest placement among Japanese competitors with a 5th-place finish at the Beijing 2022 Olympics. More recently, she won a bronze medal at X Games Aspen 2024 and claimed victory again at the final Slopestyle World Cup event of the 2024 season.

Demonstrating her strength in both Big Air and Slopestyle on the world stage, Iwabuchi continues to compete internationally while training daily with her sights set on winning a medal at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics.

Text & Interview by Daiki Hatakeyama