The Snow League is bringing some of the world’s leading snowboard and freeski halfpipe athletes to Cardrona Alpine Resort on September 18–19
The inaugural Snow League World Challenge will open Season Two of the competition and introduce a new team-based format, bringing together 16 athletes from North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and a Challengers team featuring emerging talent.
The competition will feature men’s and women’s snowboard and freeski disciplines, with athletes competing head-to-head and earning points for their teams.
A different format will also be used during the semifinals, with athletes restricted to a 720-degree spin cap before the competition opens up for full progression in the finals.
Two days of action at Cardrona: Friday, September 18 will begin with open halfpipe practice from 9am until midday.
That afternoon, Shaun White will take part in a Mini-Pipe Challenge alongside Snow League athletes and young local skiers and snowboarders, running from 1pm until 3.30pm.
The main Snow League World Challenge will take place on Saturday, September 19 from 9.30am until 1.30pm in Cardrona’s 22-foot halfpipe.
An awards ceremony and après event will follow at the Base Area Plaza from 2pm.
New Zealand athletes on the start list
Team Asia-Pacific will include New Zealand snowboarder Cam Melville Ives and freeski athlete Luke Harrold. The Challengers team will also feature two New Zealanders, with Mischa Thomas competing in women’s freeski and Fin Melville Ives in men’s freeski.
They will compete alongside an international field including Kelly Sildaru, Queralt Castellet, Amy Fraser, Hunter Hess and Gaon Choi.
The wider event programme will also include a Teamwork Challenge at Treble Cone on September 17, where teams will create and present their own mountain content ahead of the main competition.
The winning team will gain an advantage in determining the competition bracket for Saturday’s World Challenge.
About the Snow League
The Snow League is the first professional winter sports league dedicated exclusively to snowboard and freeski halfpipe competition. Founded by three-time Olympic gold medalist Shaun White, the league brings together the world’s top athletes through a global, season-long competition format designed to elevate progression, storytelling, and fan experience.
Season One featured four events across Aspen, China, and LAAX, with athletes competing for a $2.2 million purse and the inaugural Snow League World Championship titles.
The league crowned its first-ever champions in 2026: snowboarders Sena Tomita and Yuto Totsuka, and freeskiers Eileen Gu and Luke Harrold.
The Snow League continues to expand its global footprint in Season Two, while building a year-round competition circuit and progression pathway for the next generation of snowboarders and freeskiers.
