Here’s something you don’t see every day: One of the all-time snowboarding greats took advantage of the major winter storm that pummeled New York City over the weekend, pulling off Olympics-worthy stunts in a public park.\u00a0<\/p>\n
On Sunday, January 25, nearly a foot of snow fell in Manhattan’s Central Park, turning the iconic green space into a true winter wonderland \u2014 and legendary Olympian Shaun White<\/a> took the opportunity to put on an impromptu snowboarding clinic!<\/p>\n RELATED: When Do the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics Start?<\/a><\/p>\n In amazing footage, the three-time gold medalist can be seen giving fans gathered in the park a preview of what to expect from others when the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics<\/a> kick off \u2014 he turned Central Park into a de facto snowboard park and wasted no time performing trick after trick. It’s one of those “This only happens in New York City” videos that pop up every once in a while.<\/p>\n Initially riding under a mask and goggles, the 39-year-old dazzled fans with 360s and front flips, each drawing more and more unbelievable reactions from the crowd that had gathered.<\/p>\n “That’s gotta be Shaun White!” declared one person after a particularly impressive flip, as heard in a video shared by\u00a0NBC 4 New York<\/a>.<\/p>\n Once White took off his gear and revealed himself, many couldn’t even comprehend what they were witnessing.<\/p>\n “Are you f\u2014ing kidding me?” one woman could be heard saying in disbelief.<\/p>\n Watch Shaun White shock the snowy Central Park crowd here<\/a>.<\/p>\n White put on quite a show for some who decided to brave the elements on Sunday, with the athlete making sure it was worth their while.<\/p>\n Of course, the tricks White pulled off on the makeshift Central Park snowboard ramp will pale in comparison to what fans will witness when the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics<\/a> kick off this February on NBC and Peacock<\/a>. And though he snowboarding legend won’t be competing, he’ll be a big part of the festivities.<\/p>\n Shaun White’s role at the 2026 Winter Olympics<\/p>\n Although White retired from competitive snowboarding in 2022, he still has plenty to offer fans \u2014 and he’ll get that opportunity at the 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony.<\/p>\n White will join Savannah Guthrie<\/a> and Terry Gannon<\/a> in the broadcast booth when the Olympic athletes enter the stadium for the traditional Parade of Nations \u2014 a time when the athletes’ attire draws just as much attention<\/a> as the Olympians themselves.<\/p>\n RELATED: Everything to Know About the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony<\/a><\/p>\n “I’m so excited to be part of the Opening Ceremony for the Milan Cortina Olympics,” White said in a statement<\/a>. “The Olympics have been such a huge part of my life, and to return in this new role\u00a0\u2014 celebrating the athletes, the energy, and the incredible backdrop of Italy\u00a0\u2014 is truly an honor. I know what that moment means when the world is watching, and I can’t wait to help bring that magic to everyone at home.”<\/p>\n The legend will also join the broadcast team as an analyst and commentator throughout the Olympic Games.\u200b<\/p>\n