Snowboarding Pioneer Paul Alden Dies at 89

Alden worked behind the scenes to bring the sport into the mainstream and pave the way for its Olympic inclusion.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 11:21pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented snowboarding scene, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the dynamic motion and energy of the sport.Alden's efforts to legitimize competitive snowboarding paved the way for the sport's explosive growth and Olympic inclusion.Alta Today

Paul Alden, a pioneer in the snowboarding industry, passed away on April 9, 2026, at the age of 89. Alden played a crucial role in helping snowboarding gain acceptance at ski resorts and become an Olympic sport. He worked behind the scenes to resolve insurance issues, organize competitions, and negotiate with the International Olympic Committee to include snowboarding in the Winter Games.

Why it matters

Alden's efforts were instrumental in the growth and mainstream acceptance of snowboarding. His work helped transform the sport from a niche activity to a globally recognized Olympic event, paving the way for its continued popularity and expansion.

The details

In the mid-1980s, when ski resorts were denying snowboarders access to their slopes, Alden worked to navigate the institutional resistance and build the organizational infrastructure that allowed the sport to grow. He helped resolve the insurance issues that kept snowboarding out of major ski resorts, and his efforts led to the number of resorts allowing snowboarding to grow from 40 in the 1984-85 season to 476 by 1990. Alden also helped convince Breckenridge Ski Resort in Colorado to host the World Snowboarding Championships in 1986, specifically to accept the halfpipe as a legitimate competitive format. In 1987, he founded the North American Snowboard Association (NASBA), which partnered with the Snowboard European Association to create a unified international World Cup circuit. Alden also played a pivotal role in convincing the International Olympic Committee to allow snowboarding, which has since grown from two Olympic events to six for both men and women.

  • Alden bought Snurfers, the predecessor of snowboards, for his family for Christmas in 1968.
  • Alden worked at Burton from 1984 to 1990.
  • In 1986, Alden helped convince Breckenridge Ski Resort in Colorado to host the World Snowboarding Championships.
  • In 1987, Alden founded the North American Snowboard Association (NASBA).
  • In 1992, Alden tried to negotiate a merger between the United States Ski Association and the United States Amateur Snowboard Association.

The players

Paul Alden

A snowboarding pioneer who worked behind the scenes to help bring the sport into the mainstream and pave the way for its inclusion in the Olympics.

Jake Burton Carpenter

One of the inventors of modern snowboards and the founder of Burton Snowboards, a global brand.

David Alden

Paul Alden's son, who was a Burton Snowboards team member through the 1980s.

Rick Alden

Paul Alden's son, who founded the action sports headphone brand Skullcandy in 2003.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Back then I thought he was wasting his time. Little did I know.”

— David Alden, Paul Alden's son

What’s next

The funeral services for Paul Alden will be held on April 18, with a viewing prior to the 11 a.m. services from 10-10:45 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse at 135 E. 2000 South in Orem, Utah.

The takeaway

Paul Alden's tireless efforts behind the scenes were instrumental in transforming snowboarding from a niche activity into a globally recognized Olympic sport. His work paved the way for the sport's mainstream acceptance and continued growth, leaving a lasting legacy in the snowboarding community.