First dedicated pro snowboard league launches this weekend

By Jay McKinney

Shaun White is an iconic figure in the world of professional snowboarding and beyond, and it is fitting that he be the one to create the Snow League, the first professional league dedicated to snowboarding and freeskiing.

White announced his retirement from the sport in 2022 but throughout his prestigious career, he competed and won medals in numerous Winter Olympics and X Games events. He is no stranger to the thrill of competitive snowboarding and on March 7-8, snowboarders from around the world will meet in Aspen to follow in his footsteps (or snowboard tracks) as they compete in the inaugural event of the Snow League.

The event will include a halfpipe competition at the Buttermilk ski area and features male and female athletes. Fans are welcome to spectate on both days, with 36 athletes (20 men and 16 women) competing on Friday, March 7, and Saturday, March 8. The top eight men and eight women will advance to the finals.

The league will consist of both head-to-head matchups and a season-long points system, with four total events for the season. With a hefty purse of $1.6 million, the league will attract the best talent in the world and could change the landscape of professional snowboarding.

This inaugural event in Aspen will only feature snowboarding, but the second event held later in the year in December at Yunding Secret Garden Resort in China will also feature freeskiers. All future events for the Snow League will feature freeskiers in addition to snowboarding.

With Colorado being a hub for winter sports, it’s not surprising that three Coloradans will compete in the league. Maddy Schaffrick is from Steamboat Springs and returned to competitive snowboarding in 2024 after taking a break to coach snowboarding. On the men’s side, Lucas Foster from Telluride and Chase Blackwell from Longmont will take on the halfpipe. Foster took third place at the Dew Tour in 2024 and has solidified himself as a top athlete for the U.S. Snowboard halfpipe pro team. Blackwell calls Copper Mountain his home resort and has achieved a dozen top 10 finishes in World Cup starts where he has competed with the best snowboarders in the world.

All three of the Colorado athletes will have their home state rooting for them as they take on the competition in the Snow League. General admission tickets cost $20 for Friday and $50 for Saturday and reservations are required. Children aged 12 and under can enter free with an adult. For those attending on Saturday, there will also be a concert by Atlanta-based hip-hop artist Big Boi.

“I couldn’t be more excited to have Big Boi join us for this milestone moment in snowboarding,” White says. “Big Boi and I have known each other for many years, and his music, creativity, style and passion aligns so perfectly with what we’re trying to create with this new league. I’m so pumped to have him there in Aspen, and I know both the athletes and the crowd will love every minute of it.”