The Snow League starts today: How and where to watch
All you need to know and who to watch for the first ever new pro halfpipe contest
Shaun White’s Snow League is finally here. After all the hype, big-money sponsorships, and boardroom power moves, the first-ever event kicks off at Aspen Snowmass tomorrow, March 7, 2025, with riders already warming up in today’s training sessions. White, the “Lord of the Board“, promises a whole new era for competitive snowboarding and freeskiing — but is this really a revolution, or just another spin on the same old contest format?
Let’s be real: the Snow League isn’t rolling in quietly. They’ve been shouting from the rooftops about their financial firepower—backed by Marriott Bonvoy, INEOS Automotive, Pacifico, Hublot, and even Tiffany & Co. They’ve made it clear that they’re not playing small, with a $1.6 million season prize purse making this one of the richest circuits in snowboarding history. White himself claims this is the league snowboarders deserve, saying, “After all my years competing… I’ve come to realize that snowboarding and freeskiing athletes deserve a legit professional league.”
The stakes? Penthouse-level high. It’s not just about the riding; it’s about the whole experience. Snow League isn’t just promising progression on the mountain — they’re selling a redefined fan experience. And when you claim you’re here to shake things up and have the money to back it, expectations go through the roof.
But here’s the big question: Is this the future of competitive snowboarding, or just a glossier, high-production version of what we’ve already got? Some industry insiders are cautiously optimistic — as Snowboard Magazine put it, “There’s no debate that competitive snowboarding needs a kick in the ass.” But will The Snow League actually deliver, or just reinvent the wheel with a shinier logo?
One thing’s for sure — we’re all watching. And here’s how you can too.
How to Watch
For those unable to attend in person, the Snow League has partnered with major broadcasters to ensure global accessibility. Below is a summary of viewing options:
| Country / Continent | Linear TV Highlights Show | Live Streaming |
|---|---|---|
| United States | NBC | Peacock |
| Canada | n/a | CBC Gem |
| Europe | Eurosport 1/2 | Max & Discovery+ |
| Asia | SPOTV | SPOTV |
| Central & South America | FUEL TV | FUEL TV |
| Australia | n/a | Kayo Sports |
For detailed global listings and streaming options, visit The Snow League’s official “How to Watch” page.
Athletes to Watch
As the Snow League’s inaugural event kicks off in Aspen, all eyes are on the world’s top halfpipe riders. A mix of Olympic champions, rising stars, and seasoned veterans are set to battle it out, but with a new competition format in play, the question remains — who will adapt best to take the win?
On the men’s side, Scotty James is not on the list, leaving a clear path for Ayumu Hirano to take charge. The reigning Olympic champion has been nearly unstoppable this season, stacking up multiple World Cup podiums and proving he’s still the one to beat. But with the Snow League’s new head-to-head format, dominance isn’t guaranteed. Ruka Hirano and Yuto Totsuka also come in on fire and are no strangers to qualifying at the top. We’ll see if the Koreans Chaun and Jio Lee hold the pressure of the face-to-face eliminations. Meanwhile, we are sure Chase Josey, known for his creative riding, will be looking to capitalize on any openings, especially after a top-ten finish at the Laax Open.
In the women’s competition, Chloe Kim declined her invitation, leaving the door open for the next generation to take center stage. But Maddie Mastro is no stranger to the podium, dominating the World Cup leaderboard this season and the Crystal Globe runner-up who recently secured a major World Cup victory in China, making a strong case for her ability to take the win in Aspen. But Japan’s Sena Tomita has just won the World Cup in Canada and won’t let her go that easily. Then there’s Gaon Choi, the 16-year-old prodigy who made history by winning X Games halfpipe gold in 2023, becoming the youngest rider ever to do so. Her rapid rise makes her an unpredictable but dangerous competitor who has been in all the World Cup podiums she has participated in this year.
The format
Heading into Qualifying Day, all 36 athletes (16 women and 20 men) have been allocated into four heats (five men and four women) based on World Snowboard Points List (WSPL) rankings. Athletes will have two opportunities to be among the 16 snowboarders advancing through to Saturday’s finals. In the opening round of qualifying competition, athletes will get two runs, with the highest score counting. The competitor with the top score from each heat automatically advances to Finals Day. The second and third-place athletes from each heat will get a second chance to advance with a two-run Last Chance Qualifier to finish the day.
Here are the heats for qualifications day:
Let the action begin!
The Snow League’s inaugural event promises to offer a fresh perspective on snowboarding competitions, with top-tier athletes and an innovative format. Whether it will redefine the sport or serve as an enhanced version of existing contests remains to be seen. The new Pro Tour, which fans worldwide can tune in to witness this potential evolution in action sports, is nothing but exciting.
