Chloe Kim: The Most Decorated Snowboarder in Halfpipe History

Chloe Kim didn’t just show up in snowboarding—she flipped the whole thing on its head. From her first moments as a teenager on the world stage to her run now as one of the sport’s biggest names, Kim’s story is all about pushing limits, staying sharp, and bouncing back when things get tough. She’s smashed records, raised the bar for what’s possible, and turned herself into a global icon for action sports.

Early Days and Breakthrough

Born on April 23, 2000, in Long Beach, California, Chloe got her start on a board at age four, thanks to her dad. She caught on fast, too—by eight, she was already training in the Alps while living with family in Switzerland. Not your average childhood, but it worked. That early grind set her up for what came next.

Her big moment came at the 2014 Winter X Games in Aspen. She was just 13, but she snagged silver in the superpipe, becoming the youngest snowboarder ever to medal at X Games. People started to pay attention.

Ruling the X Games

The X Games turned out to be Kim’s playground. In 2015, at just 14, she grabbed her first X Games gold in superpipe—youngest ever to do it. She kept winning, year after year, stacking up eight golds, tying Shaun White for the most superpipe golds ever at the X Games, and making her the top woman in the event’s history.

She didn’t stop there. Add a silver and a bronze, and she’s hit the podium ten times. The way she rode changed what everyone expected from women’s halfpipe—she kept pushing the sport further, trick by trick.

Olympic Glory and Standout Moments

2018 Winter Olympics (PyeongChang)

When Chloe hit the Olympics in 2018, she stole the show. Only 17, and she became the youngest woman to win Olympic gold in snowboarding’s halfpipe, nailing a final run that scored 98.25. She threw down back-to-back 1080s—first woman ever to land those in Olympic history. Suddenly, she wasn’t just a promising athlete—she was a phenomenon.

2022 Winter Olympics (Beijing)

Kim came back for more in Beijing 2022. She defended her halfpipe title, becoming the first woman to win back-to-back Olympic golds in the event. Her opening run—94.00 points—sealed the deal. Even with gold in hand, she went big, trying a 1260-degree spin (that’s three and a half full rotations), a move no woman had landed clean in competition. That’s Chloe—always pushing for more, even when she’s already on top.

Looking ahead to the 2026 Milano Cortina Games? If she goes for it, she’s got the chance to three-peat—nobody’s ever done that in Olympic halfpipe.

World Championships and World Cup Wins

Chloe’s dominated the FIS Snowboard World Championships, too. She grabbed gold in 2019, 2021, and 2025, putting her among the best halfpipe riders ever at the world level. On the World Cup circuit, she’s always a threat, racking up podiums and keeping her win rate sky-high. She’s just consistently better than almost everyone else out there.

Breaking New Ground

It’s not just about medals for Kim. She’s a true trailblazer:

First woman to land back-to-back 1080s in halfpipe competition—set the stage for her Olympic gold.

In 2024, she nailed the first women’s 1260 in competition—a huge leap forward for women’s snowboarding.

At the 2025 Laax Open, she landed a cab double cork 1080 in the halfpipe—another monster trick, another leap for the sport.

Each time she pulls off something new, she drags the whole field forward. Suddenly, what seemed impossible is just the new standard.

Beyond the Podium: Influence and Advocacy

Chloe’s impact goes way beyond snowboarding. She’s picked up some serious honors:

Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year—an award that puts her at the top in action sports, globally.

Multiple ESPY Awards, including Best Female Action Sports Athlete, showing her reach beyond just snowboarding fans.

A spot in Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People, recognizing both her athletic and cultural impact.

She’s also been honest about mental health, talking openly about burnout after Beijing and her journey to find balance. By sharing her struggles, she’s made it easier for other athletes to talk about theirs.

Off the mountain, she’s teamed up with brands like Roxy and eBay, and she keeps finding ways to stay in the spotlight, both in and out of snowboarding.