By autumn thatcher

| The Salt Lake Tribune

Directed by Curt Morgan, "The Art of FLIGHT" is an action sports film that took two years to make. The film features snowboarding legends Travis Rice, Pat Moore and others, all challenging themselves to fine new levels of risk and insanity in the mountains.

The Tribune talked to Rice and fellow snowboarder Pat Moore about filming the movie, which will be screened as part of the X-Dance Action Sports Film Festival, which runs Jan.

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At a glance

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X-Dance Action Sports Film Festival

When » Jan. 12-15, featuring 30 full-length and short films.

Where » The Depot, 13 N. 400 West, Salt Lake City.

Tickets » $8 - $30; depotslc.com or at smithstix.com

Schedule » Visit x-dance.com for screening and event times.

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Travis Rice » Rice is an award-winning freestyle snowboarder, often referred to as the sport’s "best all around boarder." Rice emailed from Baldface Lodge, British Columbia, where he’s helping with the design of a new snowboard course called the "Red Bull Supernatural."

How was the experience of filming "The Art of FLIGHT"?

If I had to pick my favorite experiences that are snowboard-related, I’d say having a couple of the best runs of my life in Alaska, riding deep woods conditions, hunting pillow lines with Nicolas Muller in Canada, and method taping the tree in Jackson.

How is this film different from other action sports films?

One of the biggest differences is the places we went. This time in making "The Art Of FLIGHT" we rolled the dice, and would go to places I’ve never been. In some cases, we went to places no one had been snowboarding before. This time it was much riskier, but our goal was to tell a much more dynamic story.

Tell us about the Supernatural course that you’re building in Canada.

I was looking for a blank canvas. It needed the perfect angle, a perfect elevation and a perfect length, with a way to build a jump into the middle of it. This was the run we found. It has a bench in it, a perfect northeast slope angle so that it gets [soft] light in February. Some inspiration came from what they are able to do with mountain-biking courses, like building stuff through the trees. There’s no limit on what is possible with a little creativity and some will.

Why should someone go to an action sports film festival?

All of the year’s best action, adventure and outdoor films show at X-Dance. It’s a great opportunity to get your fill of sport and outdoor films in just a few days.

What workout/diet routines do you incorporate into your training to stay fit for the intense tricks you do?

A huge part of strength is mental confidence. That’s almost a bigger factor than physical strength. I stay fit doing plyometrics training. I don’t lift weights, because I prefer running around in the woods to being in a gym. Health, including what I eat, drinking enough water, staying flexible and fit, are big deals. I’m 29, and now I have to work twice as hard for the same results. I’m just trying to stay well balanced.

Pat Moore » This is Pat Moore’s second action sports film with Travis Rice. The pro snowboarder won"Best Trick" at the U.S. Open for the Oakley Stylemasters in China. Moore emailed The Tribune from Seattle.

What has your life been like since the release of "The Art of FLIGHT"?

Oh ya know, private jets, penthouse suites, multi-million dollar contracts. ... Nothing has really changed. I got to be a part of an amazing tour. We had sold out shows at nearly every stop and that was a lot of fun. But now the dust has settled and it’s back to work.

Tell me about the experience you had filming "The Art of FLIGHT" and working with Travis Rice.