In a major development for the world of competitive snowboarding, reigning Olympic halfpipe gold medalist Ayumu Hirano has signed on to participate in The Snow League, a new series of high-stakes halfpipe contests created by legend Shaun White. The announcement positions Hirano as the marquee athlete in a star-studded field that will vie for an unprecedented $1.5 million prize purse.
Hirano’s Historic Olympic Triumph
Hirano, the 24-year-old Japanese phenom, captured gold in spectacular fashion at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. In a groundbreaking run, he became the first snowboarder to successfully land a triple cork – a daring three-flip aerial maneuver – within the context of a complete halfpipe routine. The historic moment cemented his status as the sport’s premier halfpipe rider.
Landing that triple cork and taking the gold was a dream come true. Now I’m excited to take on this new challenge in The Snow League and push myself to the next level.
Ayumu Hirano
White’s Vision for The Snow League
For Shaun White, the three-time Olympic gold medalist who finished fourth behind Hirano in Beijing, The Snow League represents an opportunity to elevate and unify the fragmented world of competitive snowboarding and action sports. By assembling the world’s best riders to compete head-to-head on a consistent basis, White hopes to create a platform that can generate mainstream excitement and corporate support on par with other professional sports leagues.
Snowboarding has given me so much over the years. The Snow League is my way of giving back and helping to grow the sport by providing more opportunities for riders to compete at the highest level and showcase their talent to a wider audience.
Shaun White
Star-Studded Rider Lineup
In addition to Hirano, The Snow League has attracted an impressive roster of decorated international riders, including:
- 🇺🇸 Maddie Mastro – American rising star and X Games medalist
- 🇪🇸 Queralt Castellet – Spanish veteran and 2022 Olympic silver medalist
- 🇯🇵 Sena Tomita – Japanese standout and 2022 Olympic bronze medalist
- 🇰🇷 Gaon Choi – Korean prodigy and youngest X Games halfpipe gold medalist
Noticeably absent from the current lineup is Chloe Kim, the dominant American rider and back-to-back Olympic gold medalist. While Kim has voiced her support for The Snow League concept, her specific plans for the upcoming season remain unclear.
Contest Format and Schedule
The Snow League will implement a three-stop series spanning the winter season, with each event featuring a modified halfpipe format designed to encourage progressive riding and wow spectators. Riders will accrue points based on their results, with the season-long champion crowned at the conclusion of the final event.
| Dates | Location |
| March 7-8, 2025 | Aspen, Colorado |
| TBA | TBA |
| TBA | TBA |
The league has secured a broadcast partnership with NBC and Peacock to televise and stream the events, exposing the sport to a potentially massive mainstream audience. With the backing of an established media partner and the draw of a deep prize purse, The Snow League appears well-positioned to make a significant impact.
Potential Implications and Looking Ahead
For elite snowboarders like Hirano, the emergence of The Snow League signals a pivotal moment – an opportunity to pursue their passion in a more structured, financially viable way that hasn’t traditionally existed in their sport. If successful, the venture could pave the way for other action sports to adopt a similar model and inch closer to the stability and cultural relevance of mainstream pro leagues.
As anticipation builds for the first event in Aspen this March, all eyes will be on Hirano, White, and the rest of The Snow League’s pioneering riders as they look to redefine the trajectory of competitive snowboarding. With a perfect storm of innovative format, star power, and financial backing, The Snow League could be the disruptive force that propels the sport to unprecedented heights.
