Shaun White, an Olympic legend and one of the most iconic figures in snowboarding, is bringing a new level of competition to the sport. After a career that included three Olympic gold medals and over a dozen Winter X Games golds, White is now focused on transforming the sport in a new way.
The 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing marked the end of White’s competitive career, but he is returning to the spotlight with a new venture. White has founded The Snow League, a tour dedicated to halfpipe snowboarders and freeskiers. The competition will debut this weekend in Aspen, a location where White dominated the Winter X Games from 2003 to 2013.
Before the event, White stopped in Denver to visit Snöbahn, an indoor action sports facility in Thornton where he is an investor. Snöbahn offers a unique space for snow sports enthusiasts, with four moving ski ramps, performance trampolines, a big-air jump with an airbag for landings, and a skate park. The facility, which opened last year, is the larger of two locations owned by Sadler Merrill, who opened a smaller version in Centennial eight years ago.
“I would have loved to have something like this near my home when I was growing up,” said White, who is originally from San Diego. “If I did, I would have been here every day.”
White is enthusiastic about his partnership with Snöbahn and hopes to expand similar facilities to other cities.
White’s rise to fame began in the 2006 Winter Olympics, where his long red hair earned him the nickname “The Flying Tomato.” His iconic look and remarkable talent made him a star, especially with NBC’s Olympic coverage.
Though his hair is now shorter, White believes his new tour will help take the sport to new heights. Unlike past years, where snowboarding events were scattered with no clear organization or way to determine a season champion, The Snow League aims to bring structure to the sport.
“There’s always been a disconnected feeling within the sport,” White explained. “Every four years, when you want to go to the Olympics, you suddenly have to compete in other events to qualify. It’s confusing for viewers who don’t know where to tune in or what’s happening.”
With The Snow League, White hopes to change that, bringing snowboarding and freeskiing competitions into a more unified and accessible format for fans and athletes alike.
Related topics:
- Three Skiers Presumed Dead After Avalanche in Alaska Backcountry
- Bloomington Rock Climbers Compete in Local Red Bull-Sponsored Climbing Event
- Cone Park Mountain Bike Trails Closed for Repairs
