In the world of winter sports, few names carry as much weight as Shaun White. A three-time Olympic gold medalist and cultural icon, White has long been a pioneer in snowboarding. Now, even after stepping away from competition, he’s once again pushing boundaries—this time as a mentor and innovator. In a groundbreaking partnership with Wy’East Mountain Academy and U.S. Ski & Snowboard, White has helped launch a state-of-the-art Olympic-grade airbag landing zone at Oregon’s Mt. Hood, ushering in a new era for elite athlete training in the United States.
This development isn’t just a flashy upgrade. It’s a game-changer for safety, progression, and accessibility in freestyle skiing and snowboarding, at a time when the demand for technical excellence is higher than ever.
A New Standard for Training
The new facility, which officially opened in June 2025, features a massive 70-by-150-foot airbag—a soft landing zone that allows athletes to attempt high-risk tricks without the fear of hard impacts. Set on a carefully sculpted snow ramp and jump, this system mimics real competition setups used in the Winter Olympics and X Games.
Unlike traditional training grounds that rely on snow landings, this airbag allows riders to safely experiment with triple corks, 1440s, and other gravity-defying maneuvers. It’s a significant tool for reducing injury risk while maximizing skill advancement.
Shaun White, who co-founded the project, described it as “the kind of facility I wish I had during my early years of training. This is the future for athletes who want to win, and win safely.”
Why Mt. Hood?
Mt. Hood has long been a summer mecca for skiers and snowboarders. Its Palmer Glacier is one of the few places in North America where snow remains skiable well into the warmer months. For decades, it’s been the go-to summer destination for athletes chasing year-round progression.
Adding the Olympic-level airbag to this environment makes Mt. Hood more than a seasonal training ground—it elevates it into a full-fledged high-performance center that rivals any in Europe or Asia.
“This is the missing piece,” said Jeremy Forster, Director of Freeski and Snowboard at U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “It levels the playing field against international teams who have had similar training setups for years.”
Innovation Backed by Experience
While White may be best known for his gravity-defying halfpipe runs and big-air gold medals, his role in this project showcases his behind-the-scenes influence in athlete development. Drawing from two decades of elite competition, he worked closely with engineers and coaches to design a system that meets the rigorous demands of modern freestyle sports.
One of the key innovations is the inclusion of sensor-based analytics in the airbag. These embedded sensors track landing position, rotation, and speed, allowing athletes and coaches to review every attempt with scientific precision. This data-driven feedback loop is already helping U.S. athletes push their limits in a smarter, more calculated way.
Building the Next Generation
The airbag isn’t just for Olympic hopefuls and pros. One of the facility’s core missions is to make high-level training accessible to younger athletes. Wy’East Mountain Academy, which caters to middle- and high-school students pursuing action sports careers, has already integrated the new setup into its curriculum.
“It’s inspiring to see kids landing their first backflips into the bag at 13 or 14 years old,” said Academy coach Molly Barringer. “This kind of progression used to take years—and a lot more risk.”
Several junior U.S. team members are now spending their summers in Hood, citing the new facility as a major draw. For some, it’s the first time they’ve had access to world-class equipment without having to travel overseas.
A Broader Impact on U.S. Ski & Snowboard
This airbag project is part of a larger investment by U.S. Ski & Snowboard in infrastructure and athlete development. With the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics on the horizon, every edge counts. The U.S. is aiming to reclaim its dominance in freestyle disciplines after a mixed showing in Beijing 2022.
By providing athletes with the tools to refine complex tricks in a safer environment, officials hope to reduce the injury rates that have plagued elite competitors in recent seasons. “This is about building longevity in careers,” said Forster. “It’s not just about gold medals—it’s about helping our athletes stay healthy, happy, and competitive.”
Athlete Reactions: “It’s a Game Changer”
Several top athletes have already praised the facility. Freestyle skier Colby Stevenson, an Olympic medalist and X Games veteran, called the airbag “the most advanced training tool I’ve ever used.” Snowboarder Hailey Langland echoed the sentiment: “I can now try tricks I wouldn’t have dared on snow yet. It’s giving me the confidence to level up.”
Even international athletes training in the U.S. for the summer have taken note, calling the new setup at Mt. Hood one of the best in the world.
Shaun White’s Next Chapter
For White, this project symbolizes a shift in focus. Since his retirement from competition, he’s taken on roles as an entrepreneur, coach, and ambassador for winter sports. His White Space brand continues to grow, and he’s actively mentoring young talent. But this training facility marks perhaps his most lasting legacy—a place where future Olympic champions will be made.
“This isn’t about me anymore,” White said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “It’s about giving back. It’s about building something that helps athletes be their best without having to learn the hard way, like so many of us did.”
Final Thoughts
The opening of this Olympic-style airbag facility at Mt. Hood is more than just an upgrade—it’s a strategic move that positions the United States at the forefront of freestyle ski and snowboard training. It signals a new era where technology, mentorship, and accessibility come together to push the sport forward.
