Though it's not skateboarding, snowboarding is an equally fun pursuit - so we looked at the best snowboarders of all time. Many times, the best skateboarders have an easy time transitioning to snowboarding, as well.
What was once a small, somewhat weird sport - has completely taken the world by storm. This wintry pursuit has evolved from a niche hobby, to a real Olympic winter sport - so let's take a deep dive, and look at the best snowboarders of all time. ☃️
[Check out the best carver skateboards.]
Frosty snowboarding products you'll love 🥶
-
🏂
# 1
Stauber Snowboard -
- Why it's rad: Insane value, great for beginners. ❄️
- Buy at Amazon
-
🏂
# 2
Pooluly Ski Jacket -
- Why it's rad: Very affordable, super warm, extremely durable. ☃️
- Buy at Amazon
-
🏂
# 3
OutdoorMaster Ski Goggles -
- Why it's rad: Very inexpensive, indestructible, and they look super cool.🎿
- Buy at Amazon
30 Best Snowboarders Of All Time
Here they are - thirty of the best to ever hit the mountain. Men, women - they're all here.
Whether you want someone that hits the half pipe, a freestyle rider, or something else entirely - we've got you covered.
1. Shaun White
Shaun White is a professional snowboarder and skateboarder from the United States. He is a five-time Olympian and a three-time Olympic gold medalist in halfpipe event.
Shaun is one of the most popular athletes in the world and has been featured on the cover of magazines such as Rolling Stone and Time. He is also an accomplished musician and has released two albums with his band Bad Things.
2. Danny Kass
Danny Kass is a professional snowboarder from the United States. Danny Kass has won two Olympic silver medals in the halfpipe event, and is also a three-time X Games gold medalist.
His sponsors include Burton Snowboards, Mountain Dew, and Nike. Danny Kass has a net worth of approximately $5 million.
3. Anna Gasser
Anna Gasser is a professional snowboarder from Austria. She made history in 2018 when she became the first woman to land a switch 1080 triple cork at the Winter Olympics.
She is also a three-time X Games gold medalist and a recipient of the 2017 World Snowboarding Champion title.
4. Travis Rice
Travis Rice is a professional snowboarder from the United States. He is known for his big air and freestyle riding style. He has won numerous X Games medals, including two gold medals. Travis has also filmed numerous snowboarding videos and has produced jaw dropping shots like a 120 foot backcountry gap jump.
5. Terje Håkonsen
Terje Håkonsen is a professional snowboarder from Norway. He is considered to be one of the pioneers of modern day freestyle snowboarding. He has won numerous competitions, including the X Games and the World Snowboarding Championships. His ability to excel on all types of terrain make him unique and is what has made him have the greatest impact on the sport.
[Read this epic guide about everything Red Bull.]
6. Lindsey Jacobellis
Lindsey Jacobellis is a professional snowboarder from the Roxbury, Connecticut. She is a five-time World Champion and has won four medals at the X Games, including two gold medals. Lindsey Jacobellis' sponsors include Nike, Burton Snowboards, and Red Bull.
7. Gretchen Bleiler
Gretchen Bleiler is a four-time X Games gold medalist and a silver medalist in the halfpipe event at the 2006 Winter Olympics. In 2003, she was a US Open of snowboarding champion, a Triple Crown of Snowboarding Champion, and U.S. snowboard Grand Prix champion.
8. Torstein Horgmo
Torstein Horgmo is a professional snowboarder from Norway. Torstein Horgmo is known for his progressive riding style and has won numerous X Games medals. Torstein Horgmo's won a gold medal in Snowboard Big Air at the 2008 Winter X Games. He also beat Shaun White and won gold in the slopestyle final at the 2009 Winter Dew Tour. His sponsors include DC Shoes, Oakley, GoPro and others.
9. Daniel Franck
Daniel Franck is a Norwegian professional snowboarder. He won the silver medal at the1998 Winter Olympics in the men's halfpipe. Daniel Franck retired from snowboarding in 2008 and launched his own clothing line in 2009.
10. Todd Richards
Todd Richards is a professional snowboarder from Paxton, Massachusetts and started off skateboarding before developing his snowboarding career. Todd Richards has won numerous titles and medals - like X Games gold medals, US Open halfpipe medals, and World Championships. Richards was also in the 2001 film Out Cold, playing a pro snowboarder.
[Need a new skateboard backpack?]
11. Mark McMorris
Mark McMorris is a professional snowboarder from Canada. He specializes in slopestyle and won gold medals at the 2012 and 2013 Winter X Games in the slopestyle event. He is also a three-time Olympic bronze medalist and was also featured in the 2019 film On Pointe.
12. Jeff Brushie
Jeff Brushie is a professional snowboarder from the United States. He won a world cup title in 1991, and also helped to popularize freestyle snowboarding. He was also a part of the official Burton team in the early 1990s.
13. Chloe Kim
Chloe Kim is a professional snowboarder from the United States. She made history in 2018 when she became the youngest person to ever win an Olympic gold medal in snowboarding. Chloe Kim is also a five-time X Games gold medalist.
14. Torah Bright
Torah Bright is an Australian professional snowboarder. She was born in Cooma, New South Wales, in 1988, and grew up skiing and snowboarding at nearby Jindabyne. Torah first made her mark on the international scene when she won the halfpipe event at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. She is also a three-time world champion in halfpipe, and has won numerous X-Games gold medals. Torah currently resides in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
15. Max Parrot
Max Parrot is a professional snowboarder from Canada. Max Parrot is known for his big air and slopestyle riding style. He has won numerous X Games medals, including six gold medals.
[What are the best roller skates?]
16. Jamie Anderson
Jamie Anderson is a professional snowboarder from the United States. She is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, and has won twenty five total medals - making her one of the most successful female snowboarders in history.
17. Jeremy Jones
Jeremy Jones has been snowboarding since he was eight years old and is considered to be one of the pioneers of modern day freestyle snowboarding. Jones is the founder of the famous company, Jones Snowboards - he is also well-known for his snowboarding and climbing films.
18. Kelly Clark
Kelly is a three-time Olympic medalist, and has won numerous X Games gold medals. Her sponsors include Burton Snowboards and POC. She has a net worth of approximately $5 million dollars.
19. Gigi Rüf
Gigi Rüf is a professional snowboarder from Austria. He is known for his creative riding style and he has a deep partnership with Nike.
20. Hannah Teter
Hannah is known for her optimistic personality and has been involved in various philanthropic endeavors. She has won gold and silver medals in multiple Olympic events.
[Have you tried PSD Underwear yet?]
21. Shaun Palmer
Palmer is considered to be one of the pioneers of modern day freestyle snowboarding. He has won numerous competitions, including the X Games and the World Snowboarding Championships. He is nicknamed "Palm Daddy", and is widely recognized as one of the most important influences in the world of extreme sports.
22. Craig Kelly
Craig Kelly was a professional snowboarder, considered to be one of the pioneers of modern day freestyle snowboarding. He tragically died in 2003 after being caught in an avalanche.
23. Peter Line
Peter Line is known for his creative riding style. He also invented a ton of tricks that would later become notable in the world of snowboarding. He is also know as a snowboard industry entrepreneur and designer.
24. Terry Kidwell
Terry Kidwell is considered to be one of the pioneers of modern day freestyle snowboarding. He started snowboarding in the late 1970s - making him one of the oldest riders on our list.
25. Bryan Iguchi
Bryan Iguchi is known for his creative and stylish riding. He has won numerous competitions, including taking home a bronze medal in the X Games and winning second place in the 1992 World Halfpipe Championships.
[Check out these rad trick skateboards.]
26. Trevor Andrew
Trevor Andrew is a professional snowboarder from Canada. He is known for his big air and slopestyle riding style and competed at the 1998 and 2002 Winter Olympics. He is also known for his music and released his first album "Trouble Andrew in 2009.
27. Tara Dakides
Tara Dakides is an American snowboarder and co-owner of O-matic Snowboards. She has been featured on the cover of various sports magazines and has appeared in video games. Notably she won a gold medial in big air at the 1999 Winter X Games.
28. Ross Powers
Ross Powers was a member of the U.S. Snowboarding Team at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. He won a gold medal in the halfpipe event. Ross Powers has also won medals at the X Games and the US Open.
29. Scotty Lago
Scotty Lago took home the bronze medal at the 2019 Winter Olympics and is the 2004 world quarterpipe champion. Scotty Lago has won numerous competitions, including the X Games, Winter X Games, and the US Open.
30. Silje Norendal
Silje Norendal is a professional snowboarder from Norway. Silje Norendal is known for her style and grace on the snowboard. She has won numerous competitions, including the Olympics, X Games, and US Open.
10 Best Snowboarding Accessories For Shreddin' The Gnar
1. Sukoa Snowboard Boot Carrier Strap
If you need to carry your snowboard boots, this is the perfect accessory for you. Not only is it super useful, it’s also very affordable.
It’s also backed by a ton of five-star reviews. We can’t recommend this more highly, so pick one up today.
2. System MTN Men's Snowboard Package
This awesome snowboard setup is perfect for anyone who wants to get into boarding. If you’re headed down the mountain, this package is a perfect way to get started.
It’s also very affordable, and is backed by a ton of great reviews. If you are a beginner, this is a great way to begin your journey.
3. Wasoto Ski Socks
These awesome socks come in a wide variety of colors, and are dirt cheap. We loved wearing them, and we know you will too.
These socks are super thick, so you’ll never be cold when you’re on the mountain. Whether you’re skiing or snowboarding, these are a great choice.
4. Zionor Lagopus Ski Goggles
These incredible goggles come in a huge variety of colors. They’re also extremely affordable, and they’re backed by a metric ton of five-star reviews.
If you don’t wear goggles when you head down the mountain, you are very likely to get snow or ice in your eyes. We know you’ll love these goggles – and at this low price, you can pick up 5 or 6 pairs.
5. AstroAI Balaclava Ski Mask
This balaclava will keep your neck extremely warm, and it comes in a variety of colors. We would never want to head down the mountain without something keeping us warm, and this is a perfect solution.
It’s also backed by a ton of great reviews, and you can even buy 5 or 6 – that’s how low the price is. We couldn’t recommend this ski mask more – easily one of our top picks.
6. Volcom Men's Hooded Snowboard Jacket
This awesome hooded jacket is perfect for heading down the mountain. Volcom is known for their incredible skate and snow products, and this one is no exception.
It’s also backed by a ton of stellar reviews, and comes in a huge amount of colors. While there are plenty of other snowboard jackets out there – this is easily one of our favorites.
7. Pooluly Women's Ski Jacket
This extremely warm jacket comes in a variety of flavors, and is very warm. It almost felt like we had a heater on us, when we were wearing it.
The price is also good, which we loved. It’s also backed by a ton of perfect reviews, so you can buy with confidence.
8. Burton Men's Covert Pants
These pants are fantastic, and will keep you warm your entire way down the mountain. We liked the flame color the best, but there are a huge amount of options to choose from.
They also kept water off of us, which we appreciated. While there are plenty of snow pants out there, this pair is incredible, and is backed by tons of stellar reviews.
9. Burton Men's Insulated Snow Gloves
These gloves are a great way to stay warm. Whether you’re skiing or snowboarding, they’re a perfect choice.
The insulation kept our hands very warm, and we like the black color best. These gloves are also backed by a ton of stellar reviews, so you can buy with confidence.
10. Oakley Flight Deck Snow Goggles
Oakley always makes great eyewear, and these goggles are another excellent choice. You can easily catch plenty of air with these, and these goggles will also keep your eyes protected as you head down the mountain.
The anti-fog coating here is a perfect choice, and these are also backed by many great reviews. We like the orange and black color scheme, but to each their own.
Other Factors To Consider
If you want to try snowboarding and it’s your first time, you don’t need to spend a lot of money going to a fancy ski resort in Switzerland. Find a big mountain locally instead - you won’t be ready to hit a snowboard halfpipe yet anyway.
Once you are ready for a superpipe, maybe you’ll eventually work your way up to very advanced tricks - like a double cork, or even a backside triple cork. Snowboarding has even made its way to the Olympic Games, where you can see riders compete in freeride, as well as on halfpipes.
Brands like Backcountry have made Olympic snowboarding a pretty big deal, and the greatest snowboarders consist of Olympic silver medalists - as well as gold medalists. Skiers may have been around longer, but people like Shaun White (the best snowboarder of all time) - have really popularized snowboarding to a much wider audience.
States like Colorado have some of the best training spots in the world (like Aspen). There have also been very strong snowboarders from Japan, as well as Norwegian boarders - though the US has had its own fair share as well.
The Bottom Line - Best Snowboarders Of All Time
There you have it - our picks for the best snowboarders of all time. Whether you want half pipe riders, men, women, freestyle boarders - we've got you covered.
Snowboarding went from being a niche pursuit, to a full-fledged Olympic sport - which just shows how great it can be riding the slopes. Hopefully you learned a thing or two from our list, and leave your comments below. ☃️🏂🌨️❄️️