For Shaun White, the upcoming Winter Olympics in Italy will mark a poignant and potentially challenging new chapter. The newly retired snowboarding icon, who once dominated the halfpipe, is now focused on shaping his sport from the outside. He fully anticipates an emotional journey returning to the country where he clinched his first Olympic gold medal nearly two decades ago.
From Champion to Architect: Building The Snow League
Now four years into retirement, White is channelling his legendary status into a leadership role within action sports. His primary vehicle is The Snow League, a year-old halfpipe tour he founded that aims to reinvent competition formats. "I think my big goal is to get Snoop (Dogg) on a snowboard," White quipped, hinting at his new world of broadcasting and promotion, a stark contrast to his days of intense competition.
In an exclusive interview, White revealed to The Associated Press his thoughts on becoming an Olympic spectator for the first time since 2002. The men's halfpipe final, scheduled for 13 February 2026, will be a particular test. "I’m going to try to hold it together, but yeah, it will be an emotional day," he admitted.
His innovative league is breaking from tradition. Instead of judges simply scoring runs, it employs an elimination bracket where riders face off in best-of-three, one-on-one showdowns. A unique rule requires competitors to drop into the pipe from opposite sides on their first two runs—a technical challenge even for elites like reigning Olympic champion Ayumu Hirano, whom White recruited.
The league has also attracted star freeskier Eileen Gu and, crucially, significant financial backing. A recent investment round of approximately $15 million saw support from Linda Henry of the Fenway Sports Group and 359 Capital. "I think that speaks volumes, because it’s not just me digging into my pockets," White emphasised, highlighting the project's sustainability.
An Enduring Legacy and Personal Evolution
White's influence on snowboarding is immeasurable. From his debut as the red-haired "Flying Tomato" winning gold at the 2006 Turin Games in Bardonecchia, Italy, to becoming a mainstream icon on the cover of Rolling Stone, he reshaped the sport's narrative. Now, as he returns to the Italian slopes near Livigno as a VIP, not a competitor, his role is different but no less significant.
"I feel like I’ll be there in a special way," he reflected. The tricks performed—from triple corks to his signature Double McTwist 1260—are a direct legacy of the pursuit he inspired. He finds it "pretty inspiring" that rivals like Hirano once raced home from school in Japan to watch his videos.
This evolution extends to mentoring the next generation. At a camp he co-owns in Oregon, young riders told him, "We’re going to be in your Snow League someday." White's response? "Yeah. You probably will." He added, "That’s what we want. We want someone young and excited about the sport and seeing their future competing in the league and hopefully competing at the Olympics someday."
Navigating Life's New Frontier
White's personal life has also entered a new phase. He spoke publicly for the first time about his broken engagement to actress Nina Dobrev, which became public in September 2025. "It was a huge change in my life," he acknowledged. "It’s almost six years with somebody... I’ve just been working on myself, working on my business, working on my companies and trying to figure out, what does this next chapter of my life look like?"
Despite the life changes, the athlete's muscle memory remains. During a recent commercial shoot, he dropped into a halfpipe and, on his fourth run, nailed a front-double-10—a trick still relevant at the elite level. The moment sparked a fleeting thought: "What would a few more runs look like if I kept going?"
However, he is quick to dismiss a comeback, leaving that to others like Lindsey Vonn. For White, retirement was a mental, not physical, decision. The relentless travel and singular focus required for Olympic pursuit eventually became too much. His future lies in building the sport's infrastructure.
"I'm trying to focus on not looking back at this pasture, but let's look forward to this new frontier," Shaun White stated. "And it's been great. I feel like I have more love in this sport than I've ever had before."
