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Indoor ski facilities are popping up all over the world as a way to increase accessibility and allow a wider range of people to progress and learn snowsports. Without the need for cold temperatures, these facilities offer the unique opportunity to work on snowboarding and skiing year round, and therefore allowing their guests to progress further than they ever would. Some of these facilities are even going up in cities far from natural snowfall, giving kids and adults alike the chance to get into the sport without having to travel.
Shaun White, an Olympic Gold Medalist and one of the most decorated halfpipe snowboarders of all time, understands the need for this kind of accessibility. Due to his proximity to the mountains (just a 3 hour drive) and a thriving local skate scene in his hometown of San Diego, California, he was able to become one of the best snowboarders in the world. Since retiring from snowboard competitions, he has shifted his focus to giving back to the community that he has gained so much from.
Shaun White’s action sports company Unrivaled Sports has invested in Snöbahn, a chain of indoor ski and snowboard facilities. Unrivaled Sports is owned by Shaun White, co-founders Josh Harris, David Blitzen, and The Chernin Group. The specific terms of the deal have not been released at this time, but it is known that Unrivaled Sports now owns a minority stake (less than 50%) with an option to invest further. White and his company will join Olympic Gold Medalist, Bode Miller as investors in Snöbahn.
Snöbahn currently has two locations in Centennial, Colorado, and Thornton, Colorado respectively. These facilities offer a skatepark, ski, and snowboard training equipment, trampolines, and foam pits to help riders hone their skills. Their goal is to make snowsports more accessible and provide training grounds for when riders aren’t at a ski resort.
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“Growing up in San Diego, I had easy access to the ocean and skateparks on a daily basis to surf and skate whenever I wanted,” White said in an email. “And it was only a three-hour drive to the mountain. So, I’m really a product of my environment. But with Snöbahn, it changes the equation. The next great snowboarder or skier could come from a market you’d least expect.”
— Shaun White on sportico.com
Snöbahn, founded in 2016, is the first indoor ski and snowboard facility of its kind in Colorado. This particular investment is intended to help set their newest and second location, a 38,000-square-foot facility in Thornton, Colorado, up for success. The CEO of Snöbahn, Sadler Merril’s role will remain unchanged after the investment as he continues to guide the company with the help of partner Bode Merril. Once happy with their current facilities in the Denver area, they plan to expand to cities much further from the mountains to make more of an impact, but they understand the importance of not rushing things.
“It’s our special sauce right now,” Unrivaled Sports action sports division CEO Kevin English added. “So often in action sports, you get this outside investment that doesn’t understand the nuance. They [Unrivaled Sports stakeholders] don’t quite get that these are experienced people businesses, and you must get the training and the people in facilities right before you go expand. All these partners understand that. It’s literally one customer at a time.” According to sportico.com.
Providing a leg-up for those who have a high barrier to entry, Snöbahn also offers camps and clinics to help riders from beginner to expert hone their skills and progress. The facilities don’t just stop at skiing and snowboarding either. Skateboarders, BMX riders, mountain bikers, and more can also take advantage of the facilities and programs offered by Snöbahn to improve in their respective disciplines.
Shaun White’s investment in Snöbahn through Unrivaled Sports signifies a strategic move to enhance accessibility and training opportunities in indoor action sports. By acquiring a minority stake and aligning with Bode Miller as an investor, Unrivaled Sports underscores its commitment to expanding Snöbahn’s footprint while focusing on quality and community engagement. This investment aims to support aspiring athletes across various disciplines, offering state-of-the-art facilities and specialized programs for beginners and experts. Looking forward, Snöbahn’s plans for expansion beyond Colorado emphasize a deliberate approach to growth, ensuring each new location upholds its standards of excellence in sports training and customer satisfaction.
