The sport of snowboarding made its Olympic debut at the 1998 Winter Games in Nagano, Japan. Snowboarding has served to revitalize winter resorts around the world. Young people in particular are drawn to this often freeform and exciting new sport. New interest in the winter games came as a result of the introduction of Snowboarding as an official Olympic competition.

Two snowboard events were introduced for official competition at the Nagano Games. The two new events were Snowboard Giant Slalom and Snowboard Halfpipe. As in Alpine Skiing, snowboarders race against the clock through the gates of the Giant Slalom course. The Snowboard Halfpipe competition featured jumps, rotations, and mid-air maneuvers, that were judged by the most difficult maneuvers performed with the best form. The venue for the Men's and Women's Snowboarding Giant Slalom was at Mt. Yakebitai on the north side of Shiga Kogen. The Snowboard Halfpipe event was held at the Halfpipe course located at the Kanbayashi Snowboard Park. Both of the snowboard event areas were located near Yamanouchi Town.

Snowboarders raced against the clock through the gates of the Giant Slalom course. The Giant Slalom course was laid out symmetrically for the snowboarding event to provide equal opportunity for “goofy foot” snowboarders (those who put their left foot forward) and those who snowboard with their right foot forward. The gates are comprised of two poles of different lengths and a flag. Snowboarders competing in the Giant Slalom race are required to examine the gates and to inspect the course conditions, prior to the race. Besides the difference in the lay out of the gates, Snowboard Giant Slalom is very similar to the Alpine Skiing Giant Slalom event.

The Snowboard Halfpipe competition featured jumps, rotations, and mid-air maneuvers, that were judged by the most difficult maneuvers performed with the best form. The Halfpipe competition was held on a course shaped like a long round length of pipe that has been cut in half. Snowboarders used speed gained on the slope to come up over the sides of the rim of the course to perform jumps and other maneuvers. As the competitors approach the judges' stand, located at the lower end of the course, they gained speed and performed their best possible maneuvers. Competitors received points for basic maneuvers, turns, degree of difficulty, landing, and technique of the maneuvers. The scores of the maneuvers were totaled then averaged to come up with a final score.

Competitors in the Snowboard Halfpipe competition receive points for basic maneuvers, turns, degree of difficulty, landing, and technique of the maneuvers. The “No-Grab Maneuvers” feature snowboard riders twisting and/or arching while flying upward. There were “Spin Maneuvers” where riders spun out 360°, 540°, and even 720° turns. Inverted Maneuvers were featured, both as complete air maneuvers and other maneuvers that included handstands off the rim of the pipe. When there are no hands used while the snowboard is inverted, it is called an “Inverted Air Maneuver”. Off the rim action where the head of the rider is lower than the board (such as handstands) are referred to as “Invert Maneuvers”. The Snowboard Halfpipe competition provided some of the most exciting action of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games.

Both of the snowboard event areas were located near Yamanouchi Town, on Mt. Yakebitai, at the north side of Shiga Kogen. This area is at the high altitude of 1,960 meters and has very cold temperatures that provide excellent quality powder snow. The mountain is highly regarded in the international community as a supreme venue for Alpine Skiing events. Not far from this competition area, there are some famous Japanese Hot Spring Resorts. In addition, “The Wild Monkey Park of Jigoku-dani” which is famous for the wild monkeys that bathe in the hot springs, is located nearby. (Jigoku-dani means “Hell Valley" in Japanese). The countryside outside Yamanouchi Town, is covered with abundant forests, lakes, and vast natural beauty.

Snow Sports Japan by: W. Dire Wolff