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Who are the most influential figures in the history of snow sports?

Chantelle Hyland

Well, my dear friends, if you are a fan of snow sports and are curious about the most influential figures in the history of this exciting activity, look no further! I have ranked some of the most important figures that you should know about and, who knows, maybe even be inspired by.

1. Shaun White – The Flying Tomato

Coming in at number one is the Flying Tomato himself, Shaun White. He is a legendary snowboarder who has won numerous X Games gold medals, Olympic golds, and more. Besides that, he has also been a prominent figure in the development of a new breed of snowboarders who are pushing the sport to new heights.

2. Lindsey Vonn – The Speed Demon

Lindsey Vonn is a household name in the world of skiing. She is one of the most decorated female skiers in history, winning four World Cup overall championships and coming away with more than 80 individual World Cup titles. She is also known for being a fierce competitor who is not afraid to take risks and put it all on the line.

3. Glen Plake – The Punk Rocker

Glen Plake is a flamboyant skier who sports a signature Mohawk hairstyle, which is an extension of his rebellious personality. He is also a pioneer in the development of freestyle skiing, innovating new moves and pushing limits. He has been a prominent figure in the world of snow sports for several decades now.

4. Bode Miller – The Maverick

Bode Miller was a maverick in the world of skiing. He was notorious for his unconventional training methods and his willingness to take risks in competition. He is the most decorated American male alpine skier in history, having won six Olympic medals, including a gold medal in the super combined at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

5. Ingemar Stenmark – The King of Slalom

Ingemar Stenmark is a Swedish retired alpine skier who is widely considered one of the greatest slalom skiers and all-around skiers of all time. His incredible 86 World Cup wins, including two overall World Cup titles and four slalom titles, make him an iconic figure in the world of skiing.

6. Tom Sims – The Skateboarder who changed Snowboarding

Tom Sims was a famous skateboarder in the 70s, but it's his contribution to snowboarding that's truly impressive. He invented the first snowboard and its corresponding bindings and boot systems. He also founded Sims Snowboards, the first company to mass-produce snowboards for recreational and competitive use.

7. Franz Klammer – The Downhill Legend

Franz Klammer is an Austrian former alpine skier who was a dominant force in downhill skiing in the 1970s and early 1980s. He won 25 World Cup races, 12 of which were downhill races, and an Olympic gold medal in downhill skiing in 1976 in Innsbruck, Austria.

8. Jonny Moseley – The Hot Dogger

Jonny Moseley is a former American freestyle skier who won Olympic gold in moguls at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. He is also known for his signature "dinner roll" move, an off-axis 720 spin that he invented and made famous in competitions.

So there you have it, folks. These are the most influential figures in the history of snow sports. From the pioneers of snowboarding to the freestyle mogul skiers, all of them have contributed significantly to making snow sports what they are today. Who do you think should have made the list? Let me know in the comments below!