All Photographs: Courtesy of Winter Video games NZ
Eileen Gu has partnered with The Snow League (TSL), turning into an official world ambassador for the brand new halfpipe competitors circuit. The information comes as TSL prepares so as to add freeskiing to the lineup on the subsequent occasion in Beijing, China on December 4 – 6, 2025.
Gu is perhaps probably the most influential skier on the planet, tied with that one quiet French man. Her accolades and authority prolong into many niches past the standard freeski environment. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that at this level, Gu is turning into a standard identify in popular culture. She’s swayed the zeitgeist on this planet of trend, made waves with a Sports activities Illustrated function, is presently pursuing a physics diploma at Stanford College and, in fact, has come to dominate girls’s halfpipe snowboarding lately.
All this to say, there are various constructive points Gu brings to the desk as an envoy for The Snow League. Her social clout is excessive, however her snowboarding prowess can’t be understated. Because the winningest skier in FIS Freeski World Cup historical past, it’s no shock that Shaun White would need her on board.
“Eileen represents all the pieces The Snow League stands for: greatness, creativity, and a relentless drive to push boundaries,” stated White when discussing the newest announcement. “Having Eileen on board as each a worldwide ambassador is just not solely an asset for the league, but additionally for the way forward for winter sports activities, and I’m so proud to have her as a associate on this journey.”
It appears as if Gu is equally as excited in regards to the deal, stating, “I’m excited to hitch The Snow League not simply as an athlete, however as a stakeholder in the way forward for our sport. Shaun has at all times been a pioneer in snowboarding, and collectively we’re constructing one thing that may encourage younger athletes and develop the group in modern and contemporary methods.”
To this point, we’ve seen one cease from The Snow League. The inaugural competitors was held at Buttermilk Mountain in Aspen, Colorado on March 7 – 8, 2025. Judging by suggestions from the snowboard group and recaps on-line, it appeared to be nicely executed and nicely acquired. However taking it abroad to China is one other beast, which is the place the second of the 4 Season One tour stops might be held in December of 2025.
And with the addition of freeskiing, we’ll be paying even nearer consideration. However that’s not solely as a result of we need to watch extra spins. The Snow League is doing one thing nobody has accomplished earlier than by mixing snowboarding and snowboarding into one new tour and providing the biggest money purse ever provided in snow sports activities, a staggering $2.5 million up for grabs every season.
Will this huge sum of cash and new sponsorships create a greater environment and financial state of affairs for followers and athletes alike? Time will inform, however it looks as if TSL is on the correct path.
With 16 skiers set to hitch this December, FREESKIER will make sure to preserve you up to date as The Snow League heads to China (Dec. 4–6, 2025), Aspen (Feb. 26–28, 2026) and LAAX, Switzerland (March 19–21, 2026).
