The Snow League is proud to support 48 of its athletes who will represent the league in both snowboard and freeski halfpipe competition at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Games.
Athletes from more than a dozen nations across five continents will compete in Italy, showcasing the continued global growth and competitive depth of halfpipe disciplines at the highest level of winter sports.
Women’s Field Highlights
Among the women, Olympic and world-class standouts such as China’s Eileen Gu, a dominant force in freeski halfpipe and winner of the league’s first ever freeski competition in China, alongside fellow Chinese athletes Fanghui Li, Kexin Zhang, Xuetong Cai, Jiayu Liu, and Shaotong Wu.
Canada brings depth and experience with Cassie Sharpe, Rachael Karker, Amy Fraser, Brooke D’Hondt, Elizabeth Hosking, and Felicity Geremia, while Great Britain’s Zoe Atkin continues to carry strong podium expectations in freeski into Milan.
The United States women’s squad includes Svea Irving, Bea Kim, Maddie Mastro, and Maddy Schaffrick, adding a mix of Olympic veterans and emerging competitors. Japan fields a talented quartet in Sara Shimizu, Sena Tomita, Mitsuki Ono, and Rise Yudo, while Spain’s Queralt Castellet, Switzerland’s Isabelle Lotscher, and South Korea’s Gaon Choi, Chaeun Lee, and Jio Lee round out a field known for consistency and high-difficulty runs.
Men’s Field Highlights
On the men’s side, Japan once again commands attention with a powerhouse lineup led by Olympic champion Ayumu Hirano, joined by Yuto Totsuka, Ruka Hirano and Ryusei Yamada. China’s Ziyang Wang adds to the nation’s growing presence in men’s halfpipe, while Switzerland fields a strong trio in David Hablutzel, Jonas Hasler, and Jan Scherrer.
The United States brings a deep and versatile team featuring Nick Goepper, Birk Irving, Hunter Hess, Chase Josey, Chase Blackwell, and Alessandro Barbieri. Canada’s Brendan Mackay continues to represent a new generation of freeski athletes, while Great Britain’s Gus Kenworthy adds veteran flair and Olympic experience to the competition.
Oceania is well represented with New Zealand’s Fin Melville Ives, Luke Harrold, and Cam Melville Ives, along with Australia’s Valentino Guseli, one of the sport’s most exciting young talents. Italy’s Louie Vito, competing for the host delegation, brings both home-soil momentum and years of elite-level experience to the Milan stage.
The Milan Winter Olympics are expected to showcase the most progressive halfpipe riding yet, with double corks, massive airs, and creative line choices defining medal-winning runs.
With 48 athletes representing more than a dozen nations, the competition promises not only fierce rivalries but also a celebration of the global halfpipe community. As the countdown to Milan continues, fans can expect a showcase of innovation, courage, and international talent that embodies the spirit of winter sport on the world’s biggest stage.
Good luck to all our athletes!
Full List
Women’s Freeski Halfpipe
Women’s Snowboard Halfpipe
Men’s Snowboard Halfpipe
- Alessandro Barbieri, USA
- Chase Blackwell, USA
- Pat Burgener, BRA
- Valentino Guseli, AUS
- David Hablutzel, SUI
- Jonas Hasler, SUI
- Ayumu Hirano, JPN
- Ruka Hirano, JPN
- Chase Josey, USA
- Chaeun Lee, KOR
- Jio Lee, KOR
- Cam Melville Ives, NZL
- Jan Scherrer, SUI
- Yuto Totsuka, JPN
- Louie Vito, ITA
- Ziyang Wang, CHN
- Ryusei Yamada, JPN
About The Snow League
Launched in June 2024, The Snow League is the first professional winter sports league dedicated to snowboarding and freeskiing. Founded by three-time Olympic gold medalist and entrepreneur Shaun White, Season One features a four-event global format boasting a $2.2 million season purse, with athletes competing to earn points to determine the overall champions. The season kicked off at Buttermilk in Aspen Snowmass (March 7–8, 2025), then headed to Yunding Snow Park, China (Dec. 4–6, 2025), where 16 of the world’s top freeskiers joined the roster at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games venue. The League returns to Aspen (Feb. 27–28, 2026) and concludes at LAAX, Switzerland (March 19–21, 2026), where the first-ever Snow League World Champions will be crowned.
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