The sport of snowboarding first appeared in the 1960s in the U.S. It became part of the Winter Olympics in 1998. Today, the big competitions include the Air and Style, X-Trail Jam, Shakedown, FIS World Championships, and the Burton Global Open Series among others.
The USA Snowboarding Association sponsors 36 regional snowboard competitions open to all comers annually. Five of the best snowboarders include Shaun White, Gretchen Bleiler, Travis Rice, Nicolas Müller, and Bode Merrill.
Bode Merrill is a 29-year old rider from Santa Cruz, CA who was recently named Snowboard Magazine’s top rider in 2015. He had been riding five years when he won 3rd place at the X Games Real Snow competition.
Nicolas Müller is a Swiss snowboarder who has been called the most gifted, natural rider on the planet for his signature smooth style and ability to instantly adapt to any terrain. In 2005, he was named Transworld’s snowboarder of the year.
Travis Rice is a snowboarding legend named as one of the top-20 most influential snowboard riders ever. You can find him performing in over 20 snowboarding films. He first left his mark on snowboard culture when, at age 18, he launched a backside rodeo over a 110-foot gap on California’s Mammoth Mountain snow park.
Gretchen Bleiler is a famous half-pipe snowboard champ. She has been riding snowboards since she was 11 years old. In 2003, 2005 and 2006, she won more half-pipe events than any other woman rider. She has won gold medals four times at X Games events. She gives back to snowboarding every summer via the High Cascade Snowboard Camp.
Shaun White is famous for both snowboarding and skateboarding. He holds records for the most X Games gold medals and most medals overall. He also holds two Olympic gold medals. His snowboarding passion began at the age of six.