An array of colorful personalities make up the vast universe of snowboarding that, one way or another, has taken over our lives. Our views and interests toward the sport are shaped by the many riders that inspire, motivate, and keep the endless shred dream alive.

Nick Visconti is a prime example of a pro rider who brings great depth to the table and still has a hunger for the sport. Not afraid to voice his opinion, have a good time, or push the boundaries of snowboarding, Visconti has had one hell of a year so far. With his hands in multiple projects, the Northern California born rail slayer has kept us interested.

From winning a Winter X bronze medal in the Real Snow rail jam the first time he competed to various film projects such as the Tahoe Dangerzone edits, Mountain High's full-length film Los Angeles, and his latest personal venture with Transworld SNOWboarding ReCreation, this guy is on a mission to succeed.

We asked Mr. Visconti a few questions for our new column Too Close for Comfort to get inside his brain and see what makes him tick.

Best trip this winter: Although I had the opportunity to travel near and far, the best trip I took was to Flagstaff, Arizona. It was a group of great friends exploring in a brand new city that rarely gets substantial snow. Traveling to snowboard is always an adventure, but this road trip was like snowboarding on America's memory lane, literally, we snowboarded on Route 66!

Favorite part about where you grew up: My favorite part about growing up in Northern California was the action sports scene. From the city to the mountains, skateboarding and snowboarding was fully flared everywhere. It gave me hope, direction and community as a youth.

Rider you'd want to film or ride with that you haven't yet: Honestly, there is not one specific snowboarder that I idolize or have an overwhelming desire to ride with. In my opinion, all snowboarders have a different story and style. I get inspired by anyone standing sideways.

Describe riding for Mt. High this year and shooting for their first full-length film: Often words dilute meanings, so let me say this as briefly as possible: bad-ass.

Must haves that you never go on a trip without: Professional snowboarders live in a glamourous illusion. I always take the two things that keep me grounded to real life: My Bible and computer.

Best part about being invited to Winter X Games-- besides winning your medal: When I was young and pursuing the snowboard dream, I remember how much influence athletes and events had on me. Now I have the privilege of being that voice of influence and hope. The most rewarding part about being at Winter X Games was not the medal or being a praised athlete, it was being apart of inspiring.

Best part about one-footers: It takes half the time to strap in.

Words that describe your latest project, ReCreation: Challenge and inspire.

Favorite thing to do when you're not riding: Drink coffee.

Photo: Mark Kohlman/ESPN

Urban snowboarding has officially hit the masses people. The Winter X Games Real Snow rail jam went down today at Buttermilk Mountain and the guys competing were on fire.

The set-up didn't seem as intimidating as it's inaugural year in 2011 and the riders were appreciating the opportunity to throw down their best bag of tricks.

We're not kidding when we say that urban riding has become more accessible to broad audiences. More resorts are replicating street set-ups so that shredders have the option to hit street-like jibs at their local mountain. This small community is growing by the minute and the Real Snow event at the Winter X Games in Aspen, CO is only further proof of that.

Forest Bailey (mostly known for video parts) claimed the number one spot - followed close by Ryan Paul (front flip phenom) with Nick Visconti (jibbing master) rounding out third place. Needless to say, the group of competitors was stacked with talent, providing excellent entertainment and impressive riding for all to witness. Full recap of this progressive event below.


Words: ESPN

The oohs and aahs echoing from the course at Buttermilk Mountain provided the perfect backdrop as Winter X Games rookie Forest Bailey wowed the crowd with a variation of tricks to grab the gold in Snowboard Street.

"I can't believe this," said an overwhelmed Bailey. "I never thought I would come to X Games let alone win a medal. X Games 2012 was sick; the setup was awesome and the crowd was awesome."

Bailey's total score of 88 was five points better than Minnesota's Ryan Paul, who finished with 83 points and the silver.

"Everyone stood out and rode really well today," said Paul, who wowed the crowd with a backflip on his final run. "It was a cool day."

Truckee, California's Nick Visconti's score of 76 earned him the bronze.

Returning for a second year, the Snowboard Street contest features 10 of the world's best street athletes putting their skills to the test on urban-inspired terrain features. Athletes are judged on aggressive execution of maneuvers, degree of difficulty of maneuvers, variety of maneuvers, originality and style.

For Winter X Games media information, including press releases, logos and additional images from past events, log on to www.espneventmedia.com. To view medalist runs, visit the Winter X Games You Tube Channel - http://www.youtube.com/xgames and follow the X Games on Twitter at Twitter.com/xgames

Look who decided to show back up to Southern California's closet mountain resort. Marc Frank Montoya that's who. The burly urban rider has returned back to the team and fellow rider Nick Visconti sits down with MFM to have a little chat about him leaving Utah and moving up to LA's backyard playground.

Find out what feature he's most excited about, what made him return, what he's got in the works for the year, and why he thinks Mountain High is a good place to call home.

One more season of Tahoe Dangerzone come and gone. Always entertaining, enjoyable, and full of sick shredding -- we're sad to see it end.

The last episode of Season 3 is titled "All Said and Done" and is a recap montage of all the past shenanigans in each episode, just to remind us of what an epic season it was.

Sit back, relax, think about snowboarding, and enjoy this finale to an awesome year of living in the Dangerzone.

As summer is rollin' out, your favorite Tahoe locals are rollin' in with a brand new Tahoe Dangerzone episode "Hot August Days"; celebrating the infamous Hot August Nights and roaring hot rods that invade Reno every year. To keep up with the spirit of things, Nick Visconti and friends wanted to give us a little piece of the action of how they've been spending these long summer days.

Cliff diving, Mt. Hood shredding, rope swings, mini ramps, and days on the lake -- these guys have nothing to complain about.