Cool Boarders 2001 allows players to play as (and ride with) 10 different professional snowboarders. The characters include three-time North American Champion Todd Richards, six-time Women's World Champion Michele Taggart, U.S. Olympic Team Member Barrett Christy, two-time Female Freestyle Rider of the Year Tara Dakides, and Big Air World Champion Kevin Jones. Players choose from eight play modes, and challenge the pros to unlock hidden game features. Pro challenge mode lets players challenge top riders one-on-one. The 27 courses have layouts that incorporate wide-open, branching routes.