Basich took the gold at the '98 Winter X Games Big Air competition. She followed that up by taking a silver medal at the Summer Games Big Air competition at Mission Beach, Calif., in June.

	After all, there's more to life than just snowboarding.

That was the last time the 29-year-old hit a jump.

"I guess (the Winter Games) are coming up. I should practice," she said as she broke into a laugh, "but I probably won't."

The laughter and the easy-going manner have become the Sacramento native's trademarks. She shows up, she shreds and she wins.

"I couldn't have it any other way. I just want to go in and have a good time," she said.

Don't believe her? Ask her what she most looks forward to when it comes to the third annual Winter X Games in Crested Butte, Colo., in January.

"My parents are coming!"

Basich, who has been snowboarding for 12 years, finds the passion not in the preparation, but in the participation.

"I would never set myself up to be going in saying, 'I gotta win.' I don't set my expectations so high because rarely do you get out of something everything you put in," she said. "I'm going there to experience the X Games and to have fun with my parents.

"Hey, it's been working so far."

That it has. Basich has finished in either the top or runner-up position in 12 of the 19 events in which she has competed since 1994. Her wins include Halfpipe victories at the '96 and '97 Mt. St. Anne World Cup events in Quebec, as well as Big Air titles at the ESPN Freeride and ESPN/Airwalk Freeride in '97.

One thing the Utah resident does get serious about is her participation in Boarding for Breast Cancer, an event she and five pals founded after losing a close friend to the disease.

"It's great to be able to get behind a cause you feel so strongly about and to be able to use snowboarding to get the word out and to help find a cure," she said.

In its fourth year, Boarding for Breast Cancer will take place April 17 at Sierra-at-Tahoe, Calif.

Last spring, the event drew about 4,500 supporters who were entertained by the action on the snow as well as the music acts.

One of the bands performing was the Foo Fighters. Basich met lead singer Dave Grohl and the two have been dating since.

So what's on tap for Basich this winter? She'll put her Winter X Games title on the line Sunday, Jan. 17 at the Big Air ramp.