Shaun White's global snow league coming to New Zealand
Thursday, 4 June 2026
An elite halfpipe competition is expanding internationally to launch a first-of-its-kind team tournament. The event will bring top winter sports athletes to New Zealand this September as part of a global league founded by three-time Olympic gold medallist Shaun White.
The Snow League will kick off its second season with an inaugural world challenge event at Cardrona Alpine Resort, shifting away from the tour's traditional individual standings to introduce a new regional team dynamic.
White said the league's debut season successfully established its competitive groundwork.
“Season One set the foundation,” White said. “With Season Two, we’re expanding and creating new ways for athletes to compete and for fans to engage.”
“From launching The Snow League World Challenge to returning to some of the most iconic venues in the sport, fans should be really excited for what’s in store for Season Two.”
The invitation-only opening fixture, running from September 18 to 20, 2026, will showcase 16 elite athletes divided into four regional teams representing North America, Europe, Asia / Pacific, and an emerging talent squad called The Challengers. Each regional squad will feature one male and one female snowboarder, alongside one male and one female freeski athlete.
The international event receives financial backing from the New Zealand Government’s Events Attraction Package. Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston welcomed the hosting arrangement.
“What a treat for Kiwis to see the world’s top snow sport athletes in action,” Upston said.
The league, which starred Olympic gold medalists Eileen Gu, Gaon Choi and Yuto Totsuka on its first-year roster, will then head to North America and Europe for its regular-season competitions.
The tour returns to Buttermilk at Aspen Snowmass from January 7 to 9, 2027, before debuting at Park City Mountain from January 21 to 23, 2027.
Park City Mountain, a 2034 Winter Olympic venue, will introduce an upgraded 22-foot halfpipe for the competition to set a new standard for athletic progression. The season will culminate at LAAX in Switzerland from March 11 to 13, 2027, where the overall world champions will be crowned.
League chief executive Omer Atesmen said the global expansion reflects an ongoing commitment to delivering world-class competition while growing the sport.
The league's inaugural world champions, crowned this past March, included freeskiers Gu and Luke Harrold, alongside snowboarders Totsuka and Sena Tomita.