The world’s best pro snowboarders come from all corners of the globe. Each with their own unique style and tricks, the best pro snowboarders are capable of astonishing feats on the slopes. These men and women dedicate their lives to perfecting the craft of riding down a hill covered in artificial snow that is packed so tightly it’s slippery as ice. They have practised endlessly, competing in competitions and working together as teammates to perfect every detail of their game until they are ready for the big leagues.
The very best pro snowboarders know how to strike fear into the hearts of other competitors by bringing unique tricks to new heights, expanding our understanding of what can be done on a snowboard and providing us with entertainment when we need it most. Keep reading to learn more about the world’s best professional snowboarders, as well as our top tips for improving your skills and what to do in your downtime for thrills when you’re not watching the sport or hitting the slopes.
5Travis Rice
American-born Travis Rice is considered a snowboarding legend thanks to the wide range of tricks he is capable of executing. He started his career in 2001 and kicked off his career prospects when he won a place in the Winter X Games. As well as winning multiple US opens over the course of his snowboarding career, Rice has also taken home gold at the X Games. In his downtime outside of competitions, he regularly films snowboarding videos, some of which feature legendary jumps like the 120-foot backcountry gap. Additionally, Rice also starred in the film Transcendence, which is a film dedicated to snowboarding where you can watch Travis Rice and other epic snowboarders tackle the slopes with amazing tricks.
4Gretchen Bleiler
Another amazing professional is American Gretchen Bleiler, who began snowboarding at 11 years old before her passion became her career. She has had a respectable amount of success in the sport as an Olympic silver medalist and was one of only four women who were invited to The Arctic Challenge, which was an exclusive snowboarding contest. Bleiler was the first woman to perfect the move known as The Crippler, which is an inverted backside 540, and won four gold medals at the Winter X Games during her career. However, Bleiler, unfortunately, announced her retirement in January 2014 as a result of a training injury that happened in 2012 and was unable to attend the 2014 Winter Olympics.
3Shaun White
Shaun White is one of the best American snowboarders and has a mastery over a wide range of tricks which have quickly made him a snowboarding icon. White began his snowboarding career at 17 and quickly became an Olympic champion at 19 years old. He has gone on the become a three-time Olympic gold medalist and holds the X games record for the most gold medals. In addition to his impressive tricks, he has also won the ESPY Award, Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Award, and is known for having the best face in competitive snowboarding.
2Anna Gasser
One of snowboarding’s best women is Austrian snowboarder Anna Gasser. As the first woman to land the Cab Triple Underflip, she is a force to be reckoned with on the slopes, and in 2019 she became the first woman to perform the Cab Double Cork 900 kicker. As well as winning three X Games medals in 2017, Gasser also won gold in Spain during the Big Air Event at the 2017 Snowboard Championship. Additionally, during the start of her career, she was also part of the Austrian National Gymnastics Team.
1Danny Kass
Danny Kass is a pro snowboarder from America and is one of the world’s best pro snowboarders as a six-time X Games medalist and two-time silver medalist at the Winter Olympics. Kass is also the brother of the founder of Grenade Gloves, Matt Kass, who created gloves specially designed for snowboarding. Additionally, Kass was also a big hit in The Adventures of Danny and the Dingo, a TV show which aired on Fuel TV.
How To Improve Your Snowboarding Skills
If you’re a beginner, it is best to take a few lessons before you hit the slopes. A good instructor can not only help you to understand the basics of how to snowboard but can also help you to pick up some tips and tricks that will help you to advance your skills quickly. Once you have the basics down, you can then practise on your own time and start to focus on other important aspects of the sport, including quick turning and edging. You can also learn how to control your speed and maintain control through the curves on the hill, as well as how to avoid losing your balance.
What To Do In Your Downtime For Thrills
If you find yourself without a snowboard or someone to ride with, there are plenty of ways to get your thrills without hitting the slopes. To ease your boredom, you can always try out some of the following sports and activities:
- Rock climbing
- Skateboarding
- Surfing
- Mountain climbing
- Hiking
- Paragliding
These are all great ways to keep your skills sharp while having some fun in the sun. However, if you prefer watching snowboarding and there’s nothing available to keep you entertained, you could consider checking out the latest online casinos for your thrills. Get up to speed with the best casinos you can play online and check out www.onlinecasinos.co.uk.
Conclusion
Snowboarding is a challenging and rewarding sport that takes skill and determination, as proven by the top five professionals we covered. The best way to improve your skills is to find a good instructor and put in the time and effort to improve your skills. If you want to have fun in your downtime when there’s no snowboarding, there are plenty of other ways to do so, including playing in an online casino or trying a new sport. No matter what you choose to do, be safe and enjoy the sport.
