Born in Sierre, Switzerland on May 12th 1983, Emilien Badoux grew up in the shadows of the Swiss Alps. He first stepped on a snowboard as a 9-year old and has never looked back. Since turning pro at age 16, he has only ridden for one snowboard brand, Nidecker. As any Swiss snowboarder worthy of the name, he is a talented all mountain rider. In 1998 he won his first major title as a freestyler, when he was barely able to fit the crown of Swiss Junior Halfpipe Champion over his signature dreadlocks. He won the title again the following year.