CENTRAL PARK, NY — Shaun White, a three-time Olympic gold medalist and one of the most famous snowboarders of his generation, surprised New Yorkers in Central Park on Sunday when he showed up to snowboard on the fresh powdery snow during the city's biggest snowstorm in years.
Several videos on his Instagram page show White snowboarding down a makeshift course, ripping jump lines and popping ollies alongside other local skiers, sledders, and snowboarders.
One of those spectators was Shane Gillis, a stand-up comedian and actor, who appeared in several clips holding a beer as White launched cleanly over him.
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"Today was awesome," White posted on his Instagram story, over a photo of him launching into the air over Gillis' head.
White retired from Olympic competition in 2022 after the Beijing Games, where he made his fifth Olympic appearance.
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He is scheduled to return to the Winter Games at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics as a broadcaster for NBC. The Games officially begin Feb. 6.
According to the National Weather Service, Central Park recorded more than 11 inches of snow Sunday, making it the city’s most significant snowfall in years — and providing an unexpected stage for one of snowboarding’s biggest stars.
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