How Snowboarding Grew Through 1980’s-90’s

Snowboarding grew rapidly in the 1980s and 1990s, changing the world of winter sports. What started as a simple invention in 1965 by Michigan engineer Sherman Poppen became a global phenomenon. In 1990, Jake Burton bought the patent for the “skiboard,” helping push snowboarding into the public view.  

Professional snowboarding events began in the early 1980s, giving riders a platform to showcase their skills and paving the way for snowboarding to gain mainstream recognition. In 1985, the formation of the International Snowboarding Federation (ISF) helped create competition rules and a structure for the sport’s growth. The 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, was a defining moment, as snowboarding made its official Olympic debut with the giant slalom and halfpipe events, bringing global attention to the sport. 

This milestone solidified snowboarding as a legitimate competitive sport rather than just a hobby. Also, television played a crucial role in popularizing snowboarding. ESPN launched Snowboarder TV, hosted by Greg Tomlinson, which helped bring the sport to a wider audience and showcase its evolution in style and technique. These key events not only made snowboarding a seriously-taken sport, but also contributed to its explosive growth, influencing everything from board design to resort infrastructure. Pro skaters like Tony Hawk and surfers like Gary Elkerton embraced the sport, boosting its popularity.  The 80s and 90s transformed snowboarding from a niche hobby into a major winter sport, blending skate and surf culture with the mountains.  By 1993, over 50 brands were making snowboards. 

Major companies like Burton dominated the young industry, controlling 70% of the market in the 90s. Jake Burton played a crucial role in shaping snowboarding into the global sport it is today. After founding Burton Snowboards in the late 1970s, he revolutionized snowboard design, making boards more functional and widely accessible. Ski resorts, once resistant to snowboarding, soon built terrain parks and sponsored pro riders. Local Harborfields student Nick Schiliro says, “Snowboarding has been my favorite pastime since I could remember. The resorts are always growing and innovating for snowboarders.”