Ayumu Hirano and Gaon Choi claim third-place finishes at the inaugural Snow League snowboard halfpipe event in Aspen Snowmass.
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| The Snow League competition debuts at Aspen Snowmass, where Ayumu Hirano and Gaon Choi secure third-place finishes in the snowboard halfpipe event. Image: Monster Energy |
Aspen, USA — March 11, 2025:
The inaugural Snow League competition at Aspen Snowmass concluded with Ayumu Hirano and Gaon Choi securing third-place finishes in the snowboard halfpipe event. The competition, held from March 7-8 at Buttermilk Resort, featured 36 elite riders from around the world in a globally broadcast event hosted by snowboarding icon Shaun White.
In the men's halfpipe final, Japan’s Ayumu Hirano, 26, delivered an electrifying performance to claim his podium spot. Facing American Alessandro Barbieri in the battle for third, Hirano landed a flawless run featuring his signature frontside triple cork 1440, Cab 1440, method crippler, backside 1260, and frontside double cork 1080.
On the women’s side, 16-year-old Gaon Choi of South Korea outperformed Japan’s Ono Mitsuki in the fight for third place. Choi impressed the judges with a switch backside 900 Weddle, Cab 720, and frontside 1080, securing her position on the podium.
The Snow League, designed as a global snowboard competition circuit, debuted its first event in Aspen and was broadcast in 90 countries. U.S. fans followed the action live on Peacock via NBC Sports as top riders competed on Buttermilk Mountain’s superpipe.
The contest follows a head-to-head format, requiring riders to drop into both the right and left-hand walls of the halfpipe in their first two runs. The first competitor to win two runs advances, culminating in an intense final showdown.
With the first stop complete, the Snow League tour continues with upcoming events at China’s Secret Garden (December 4-6, 2025), Aspen (February 26-28, 2026), and Switzerland (March 19-21, 2026). At the end of the season, overall rankings will determine the first-ever Snow League World Champion.