• Shaun White is at Milano Cortina 2026, but not competing—he’ll co-host the Opening Ceremony with NBC.
  • The three-time halfpipe gold medalist retired after Beijing 2022 and plans to soak in the Games from the sidelines.
  • White predicts rapid trick progression: triple corks are now common and new moves (1620s, 1800s, switch-backside triples) could debut.
  • Top contenders to watch include Ayumu Hirano, Scotty James, Chloe Kim, Eileen Gu and rising U.S. talent Alessandro Barbieri.

Is Shaun White at the Olympics?

Yes — but not as a competitor. Shaun White, the three-time Olympic halfpipe champion, is in Italy for Milano Cortina 2026 in an off-field capacity. White retired from professional competition after Beijing 2022, where he finished as the top American in fourth place. For these Games he’s taken on official duties as a co-host of the Opening Ceremony for U.S. broadcaster NBC and plans to enjoy the full Olympic experience he missed while competing.

Why he won’t compete

White confirmed he’s moved on from chasing another Olympic run. After five Games and three gold medals (Turin 2006, Vancouver 2010, PyeongChang 2018), he now wants to cheer on the next generation, attend multiple events and engage in special side projects — including trying to get Snoop Dogg on a snowboard.

What Shaun White says about halfpipe progression

White told Olympics.com he’s watching a rapid rise in technical difficulty. Tricks that once seemed once-in-a-generation, like Ayumu Hirano’s frontside triple cork 1440 at Beijing 2022, have become more widely attempted. Riders are now practicing triple corks routinely, and athletes are testing even bigger spins — White mentioned seeing efforts at 1620s and 1800s in training.

He also reflected on his own chase of higher-difficulty tricks, including a fall while training a triple cork that resulted in hospitalization. That history informs his respect for competitors who link massive airs with complex combinations.

Which trick could top the triple cork?

White believes the next leap may be a switch or backside entry into triple rotations — spins that force riders to commit without spotting landings. He highlighted that those variations are harder to generate and control, making them a logical frontier for athletes seeking to stand out.

Who to watch at Milano Cortina

  • Ayumu Hirano: Beijing gold medalist and the pioneer of the triple cork in Olympic halfpipe.
  • Scotty James: A longtime rival of White’s who has been landing advanced switch-backside spins; he landed a switch backside 1440 into a backside 1440 at X Games 2026 and hinted at more new tricks.
  • Chloe Kim and Eileen Gu: Women’s halfpipe stars White singled out for their excellence.
  • Alessandro Barbieri: A 17-year-old from Team USA who impressed White with his drive and poise after near-podium finishes.

What White will bring to the Games

White plans to soak up the “glow” of the Olympics — cheering teammates, watching other sports and enjoying the unique national-team atmosphere. While he won’t be chasing medals, his presence, expertise and predictions add a compelling narrative to Milano Cortina’s halfpipe competition: expect fearless attempts, possible new trick debuts, and a next chapter in the sport White helped mainstream.

Image Referance: https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/news/shaun-white-on-halfpipe-snowboarding-at-milano-cortina-2026-we-might-see-tricks-that-have-never-been-done-in-competition-at-these-olympics