Shannon was as influential as any snowboarder, ever. Photos: Jeff Curtes
To list off all of Shannon Dunn-Downing’s accomplishments would require a lengthy dissertation on her barrier-breaking impact on snowboarding. In addition to her contest wins and never-been-done halfpipe tricks, Shannon had the first-ever women’s pro model snowboard, was the first American snowboarder to win an Olympic medal (at the 1998 Nagano Games), and co-founded Boarding for Breast Cancer. But three decades after she began competing, what’s so striking about the Tahoe-based snowboarding pioneer is how much she just loves riding.
Last spring at Mammoth Mountain, Shannon stepped to the behemoth 30-foot QP at Slush magazine’s World Quarterpipe Championships, aired out above the lip with plenty of style and notched yet another accolade, winning The Best Time award. Shannon is proof positive that passion, perseverance, and a positive outlook are key to a lifetime of excellent days on hill. For Shannon, these are the greatest aspects of snowboarding.
The greatest thing about living in Tahoe? The Lake is so beautiful of course, but being able to access so much insane terrain with a generally safe snowpack is the ultimate. There are so many amazing resorts around the lake, but you can also access so much backcountry by splitboarding or snowmobiling. There’s a great backcountry snowboard crew that lives here and are expert navigators — happy to say, my husband, Dave Downing, is one of them. I feel comfortable going out with these guys to be able to access and ride legendary terrain.
The greatest thing about splitboarding? Sweating for your turns. Feels good when you’re riding down. The rest of it sucks, ha. I’m kidding. I actually love the hike up. I just hate changing my skins and transitioning the board. We need to invent something to make it a bit easier.
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The greatest place to ride powder? I love Japow! Japan has so many great resorts. It helps to have my Japanese friends show us those misty, non-touristy locations. Don’t tell anyone, but we end up ducking under the ropes to ride the gullies filled with untracked pow and always find those billowing poofs of snow that stick to trees — ya know, they look like snow mushrooms. I’ve never had a bad trip to Japan. And the onsens are the reward for a hard day of riding. Japanese natural hot spring baths are amazing! I love the backcountry in Tahoe, but Japan is an easy and fun way to get tons of pow runs. I’ve been to Alaska, but it’s pretty intense, so I’m choosing my current favorite.
Your greatest US Open memory? In 1994, I won the halfpipe for the second year in a row while riding the first-ever women’s pro model with Sims. The board had a bold, red background with two big sunflowers on the tip and tail. What made it even cooler was seeing Jason Evans, a guy riding my pro model, make it onto the podium in third place. That board changed a lot for the sport, and it was so awesome to see a design I created being embraced by everyone.
The greatest thing about your Olympic experience? Does anyone remember the controversy surrounding the first snowboarding Olympics in 1998 in Nagano? Terje Haakonsen, the top freestyle legend, boycotted the event. He disagreed with FIS, the ski federation, taking control of snowboarding — no snowboarder was stoked on that! Most everyone in the snowboard industry respected his stand, leading to debates about whether going to the Olympics made you a sellout.
I questioned that myself, but eventually decided that since most things end up political, I might as well go and see it firsthand. My best takeaway was just experiencing what it was like to be an Olympic athlete. Growing up, I idolized Olympic figure skaters and gymnasts, and they inspired me to dream of competing on that level one day, although that wasn’t an option in snowboarding when I first began riding in 1988. Those dreams seemed unattainable until the opportunity that came 10 years after I began.
Of course, there were moments that tested me. I got reprimanded (publicly in the American newspapers) for not wearing my assigned Olympic outfit — it was just too ugly! All kidding aside, it was a challenge keeping focused and healthy. So many riders were getting the flu. But then there were the greatest highs, like getting a (bronze ) medal, and seeing my dad and brother proudly waving a giant American flag in the audience. That moment hit me hard emotionally.
Being part of the highest level of competition made me realize something profound: Life is about so much more than winning. It’s the simple, everyday things that are truly amazing. But the cherry on top? Those once in a lifetime, hard-earned moments built on blood, sweat, and tears. They remind you just how far you’ve come and what you’re made of.
The greatest thing about riding and competing in halfpipe? I’ve learned the typical cliche athlete stuff: grit, perseverance, discipline and so many life lessons through competition. When I first started snowboarding in 1988, the only path to becoming a pro snowboarder was through competing in racing or halfpipe. I wasn’t at all interested in racing, but I loved the freestyle and creative aspect of riding the halfpipe. I’ve never lived where the ski resort had a halfpipe, so I had to learn everything just days before the event and go for it. These circumstances allowed me to learn how to maximize my focus and learn to visualize to compensate for actual riding time in the halfpipe.
The greatest thing about having the first women’s pro model snowboard? Proving everyone wrong. At first, the whole industry shut down the idea, saying no one would buy a women’s board. But Gaylene Nagel, the Sims marketing director, pushed hard and refused to give up. She even put her own money on the line to get the board to market. Sims finally released it in 1994, and it didn’t just sell — it outsold every men’s pro model. Watching women ride it and knowing it inspired more girls to join the sport was the ultimate win. It wasn’t just about a snowboard — it was about opening doors for women in snowboarding and showing what was possible.
The greatest snowboard graphic, ever? My Sims pro model sunflower graphic from 1994. I drew the graphics in the hospital room as I recovered from an ACL knee reconstruction. Equal for me, though, is my Burton Dolphin graphic — the first-ever women’s pro model for Burton. Burton reissued the Dolphin last year, so I’m stoked I currently get to ride it again! It rips and is one of my favorite board designs ever. Just to note: Before my pro models came along, the options for boards were pretty male-driven. I used to ride Shaun Palmer’s pro model, which had a graphic of a Cadillac with a pimp guy driving and a half-naked, big-boobed girl in the passenger seat (laughs). Not exactly the most relatable graphic for me, but at the time, it was pretty standard for snowboarding. Honestly, I didn’t think much about it back then because it was my free, sponsored tool to ride and travel the world.
Shannon, still shredding today. Photos: (L) Shaina Joel, (R) U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame
The greatest thing about snowboarding in the ’90s? The ’90s were such an epic time for snowboarding, with so much progression happening in freestyle — new tricks, styles, and product innovations. But honestly, what stood out most was how the door blew wide open for women. Women’s products and participation grew like crazy, and as female pros, we finally had a voice to reach and inspire other women. I really believe we also ended up influencing other sports to start paying more attention to their female audiences. It was such an awesome time to be part of it all!
The greatest thing happening in snowboarding right now? Women’s snowboarding! Most agree that women are the most exciting to watch in major competitions like the Olympics or X Games. They have incredible style, and their ability is now very close to the men. These ladies are so professional, and I really enjoy trying to get to know them through the media they put out. I’ve finally just met Jaime Anderson and she is just as amazing in person as she presents herself on camera. Same with Anna Gasser, Grace Warner, Zoi Sadowski-Synnott. Such nice, calm girls who I can’t believe do such mind-blowing stunts on the mountain! These are phenomenal athletes. They are tough and have definite wisdom through being at such a high level of sports. Action sport girls endure some gnarly stuff, and I have the highest respect for these ladies!
The greatest thing about witnessing snowboarding’s evolution? I had a front-row seat. I’m so thankful that most of my early experiences were shared with my friend, Tina Basich. We had a blast as travel buddies and racked up a ton of crazy stories. One trip really sums up those early days. Tina invited me to stay with her and the Airwalk Team for a competition at Bear Mountain, California. The crew included Shaun Palmer, Andy Hetzel, Matty Goodman, and some younger guys I didn’t know yet. There was an extra bed upstairs in the living room, so I slept there. Around 2 a.m., the younger guys came upstairs completely wasted and started throwing furniture for fun — totally unaware I was sleeping in the corner! I was like, “What the heck is going on?” But was just the status quo for that time.
After that trip, Tina and I caught a ride down to Southern California, and our driver and pro rider, Dana Nicholson, suggested stopping by a party Damien Sanders was having. Tina knew him, so we went. He turned out to be one of the nicest guys ever — rocking vampire teeth, of course. His huge go-go dancer party ended with the SWAT team and a helicopter breaking it up. Afterward, we hit up a surf contest and met photographers, lots of industry people, and Lisa Hudson, who later became my long-time marketing director for a few different brands that sponsored me. Lisa has been very influential in both of our careers and together we co-founded Boarding for Breast Cancer. Looking back, that time was all about joining forces to bring women into snowboarding. Meeting people in the industry, building connections, and making things happen — it was such an exciting chapter of snowboarding history.
The greatest snowboarder (man), ever? I gotta say, Dave Downing, because he has the best style, and I thought he was so great that I married this strong, kind-hearted, man of integrity. As far as the greatest impact on snowboarding, it’s Terje Haakonsen. He rides like he comes from another planet, just looks at things differently than anyone else. He pioneered snowboarding in so many ways with style, new tricks, creativity, and incredible athleticism. Super unique individual.
The greatest female snowboarder (woman), ever? Overall, Jaime Anderson. What an incredibly strong athlete in body and mind. I have no doubt that if you threw any snowboard challenge in front of her, she’d pull through incredibly well. And she just loves snowboarding — and I’m sure in 20 years she’ll be invited to the Slush World Quarterpipe Championships and win it all! Ha! I also love Victoria Jealous’ big mountain riding — she has incredible fundamentals and makes riding the mountain look beautiful.
The greatest impact made through Boarding for Breast Cancer? B4BC is a grassroots organization with its greatest impact coming from reaching thousands of individuals, one person at a time, to teach them how to check for breast lumps. We hear so many powerful testimonies from people who, after learning what a lump feels like, found one in their own breast and were able to catch the tumor early. It’s a powerful reminder of how education and awareness can truly save lives.
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