The Snow League Adds Freeskiing: A New Era for Halfpipe Competition

The biggest story in competitive winter sports is getting even bigger. Shaun White's The Snow League, which launched this past winter with a focus on snowboard halfpipe, is now officially expanding into freeskiing. The organization just unveiled its inaugural freeski halfpipe lineup, and it is absolutely stacked with some of the biggest names in the sport. In fact, the new roster includes 12 Olympians who collectively hold 13 Olympic medals.

This is a major shake-up for the competitive freeski scene. Just like the snowboard side, The Snow League is setting itself apart from traditional events like the X Games and World Cup by adopting a bracket-style, head-to-head format. Think March Madness, but on a halfpipe. This format promises fierce, engaging battles where athletes must win two out of three runs to advance.

The new freeski roster is truly world-class, bringing together both established legends and the next generation of talent.

This is a lineup built on Olympic success. Leading the charge are multiple gold medal winners like Eileen Gu and David Wise, alongside Olympic medalists Cassie Sharpe, Nick Goepper, Rachael Karker, and the return of Gus Kenworthy. With this kind of talent, the action promises to be unreal, delivering the high-intensity viewing experience our audience lives for.

The Snow League is built on a foundation that prioritizes the athletes, which is a major draw. The new structure provides more stability with a consistent global schedule. The first halfpipe freeski event is slated for Yunding Snow Park in China this December, the same venue used for the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

The head-to-head competition style is a huge departure from the typical panel judging format. Athletes compete against each other directly, which creates a simpler, more dramatic viewing experience. Each stop will also offer substantial cash prizes and a $5,000 appearance fee for every athlete, regardless of how they place. This approach is an exciting proposition for the future of competitive snow sports.

We've been following The Snow League closely, from its launch to its groundbreaking use of competition stats and data visualization to give fans a new perspective on the action. Now, with freeskiing in the mix, expect the same level of boundary-pushing talent and high-stakes drama we've come to expect. This is a bold move by Shaun White, and it's definitely pushing progression. The action starts in December, so get ready to watch these legends rip into the halfpipe.