Snowboarding made its Olympic debut at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan.
The Games included men’s and women’s giant slalom and halfpipe competitions. Their inclusion marked snowboarding’s transition from a countercultural boardsport into a recognized Olympic discipline.
Ross Rebagliati won the men’s giant slalom, while Nicola Thost won the women’s event. Gian Simmen and Shannon Dunn took the first Olympic halfpipe gold medals in the men’s and women’s competitions respectively.
Snowboarding had appeared at earlier international events and had been governed through the International Snowboarding Federation before integration into the Olympic system. The sport’s later program expanded to include events such as snowboard cross, slopestyle and big air.