Snowboarding began as an Olympic sport in 1998. There are giant slalom and halfpipe events for men and women. In 2002, the giant slalom event was replaced by parallel giant slalom. In 2006, the snowboard cross event will be added.

Snowboarding was inspired by surfing and skateboarding but is similar to skiing. Snowboarders attach a board to their feet and slide down a snowy mountain.

There are four kinds of snowboarding disciplines: freeride, freestyle, alpine, and backcountry.

Freeride is basically the snowboarder cruising down a mountain. Focus is placed on making clean lines in the snow.

Freestyle uses air-ramps and halfpipes. The rider would wear a wider snowboard and softer boots for more flexibility.

Alpine snowboarders use narrower boards. It could also involve extreme carving, in which the whole body comes in contact with the snow.

Before snowboarding was allowed at resorts, backcountry was the only kind of snowboarding. The snowboarder is in search of fresh snow.

The snowboard cross event combines acrobatic techniques, alpine techniques, and motocross. It will debut at the 2006 Olympics in Torino. The competition course consists of different sections of waves, snowbanks, etc. along with a variety of terrains and obstacles.