List of Snowboarders Who Use Cannabis

• You’re witnessing cannabis normalization in action sports – From Ross Rebagliati’s 1998 Olympic medal controversy to Zach Gavin’s 2024 cannabis sponsorship, snowboarding has led the way in cannabis acceptance
• Your cannabis use connects to authentic snowboard culture – British Columbia’s backcountry pioneers openly funded their riding through cannabis cultivation, embedding weed in snowboarding’s DNA since the 1990s
• The economic reality is real – BC weed fetched $3,000 USD per pound in the late 90s, subsidizing countless pro careers when sponsorship money was scarce
• You have diverse consumption options – Whether you prefer classic flower, CBD topicals for recovery, or innovative accessories, exploring diverse cannabis experiences connects you to third-party sellers offering various products
• Medical and recreational perspectives coexist – From William Spilo’s CBD wellness brand to Mike Michalchuk’s legendary consumption, snowboarders represent the full spectrum of cannabis relationships
• Cannabis policies have evolved dramatically – WADA increased THC thresholds in 2013 (from 15 to 150 ng/mL) after years of debate, reflecting changing attitudes toward cannabis in sports

When Ross Rebagliati won snowboarding’s first Olympic gold medal in 1998, he became an instant legend – then lost his medal three days later for testing positive for 17.8 ng/mL THC, just above the 15 ng/mL threshold. The controversy made headlines worldwide, but his medal was eventually restored, and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) later raised the THC threshold in 2013 by 900% to 150 ng/mL.

Key Highlights:

• Never hid his cannabis use – Famously told the National Post: “Whether you are skiing, or snowboarding, or riding a road bike, or working out at the gym, (it) puts you in the moment. You get in a zone where you can give it a 110%”
• Built a cannabis business empire – Founded Ross’ Gold cannabis brand in 2013, appeared on the cover of High Times
• Changed global drug policy – His case was followed by WADA later raising THC thresholds from 15 ng/mL to 150 ng/mL
• Current Status: Remains an advocate for cannabis normalization in sports, representing the pivotal moment when snowboarding and cannabis culture collided on the world’s biggest stage

Competing alongside Travis Rice in the early 2000s, Charlie Hoch transitioned from professional snowboarding to cannabis entrepreneurship with remarkable success. After claiming that “smoking a bowl in the backcountry changed his life,” Hoch founded Eyce Brand and invented the original ice bong, eventually building a 100+ SKU product empire.

Key Highlights:

• Invented the original ice bong – Founded Eyce Brand and created innovative cannabis consumption devices
• Built a 100+ SKU product empire – Demonstrated business acumen by selling his company and later buying it back
• Made cannabis consumption more accessible – His innovations have reached millions of users
• Current Status: Continues to expand Eyce Brand’s product line while maintaining his connection to snowboarding culture through the Powell Movement podcast

From the Kootenay area of Interior British Columbia, Shin Campos helped pioneer Whistler’s backcountry scene alongside legends like Devun Walsh and DCP during the mid-90s to 2000s boom. Campos openly discussed the economic reality that funded many pro careers: “I knew more than 20 riders who were growing in a basement or a room for four months of the year to subsidize their careers.”

Key Highlights:

• Openly discussed cannabis cultivation economics – Explained that “A pound of good BC weed could bring $3,000 US,” making it a practical career subsidy
• 1993 cannabis bust became ironic advertisement – His community service photo ended up as a Swag clothing advertisement
• Pioneered Whistler’s backcountry scene – Helped develop numerous zones alongside Devun Walsh and DCP
• Current Status: Remains a respected voice on authentic snowboard culture, embodying the deep connection between BC’s cannabis heritage and snowboarding’s backcountry evolution

After breaking his back at age 25, William Spilo continued his big mountain snowboarding career for 20 years as a heli guide, accumulating an impressive injury list: both shoulders reconstructed, face requiring reconstructive plastic surgery, left knee rebuilt twice, and 6 screws plus a plate in his neck. Years of NSAIDs and prescription painkillers led him to explore CBD as an alternative.

Key Highlights:

• Extensive injury history from 20-year career – Both shoulders reconstructed, face rebuilt, left knee rebuilt twice, neck hardware
• Discovered CBD efficacy for pain and inflammation – Was “shocked at the efficacy of CBD” after years of traditional painkillers
• Co-founded CBD Luxe – Created products specifically designed for athletes dealing with chronic pain
• Represents the medical side of cannabis – Focuses on recovery and wellness rather than recreational use
• Current Status: Continues to advocate for CBD as a safer alternative to traditional pain medications through his Colorado-based company CBD Luxe, as documented by Cannabis Now

During the late 90s and early 2000s BC backcountry boom, while many professional snowboarders kept their marijuana use under wraps, Kale Stephens “smoked openly throughout his career.” He was part of the pioneering crew that explored and developed numerous backcountry zones alongside Shin Campos and others.

Key Highlights:

• Smoked openly throughout his career – Never felt the need to hide cannabis use from sponsors or media
• Part of the pioneering BC crew – Explored and developed backcountry zones alongside Shin Campos
• Helped normalize cannabis before legalization – Represented authenticity when most pros maintained secrecy
• Current Status: Remains a respected figure in snowboarding history, remembered for his contributions to backcountry exploration and his honest approach to cannabis use

Known as the “Alberta Madman,” Mike Michalchuk specialized in massive corked-out spins in the backcountry while maintaining legendary cannabis consumption levels. Eyewitnesses reported that “each day…Michalchuk would roll one in the parking lot and smoke the whole thing” before spending hours building and hitting jumps.

Key Highlights:

• Legendary consumption levels – Observers lost count of joints smoked before sending huge spins
• Specialized in massive backcountry spins – Known for corked-out tricks in BC’s backcountry
• Performed at elite level while heavily medicated – Those who knew him were “blown away by how high he was” while still riding
• Current Status: Remains a legendary figure in snowboarding history, representing the unapologetic cannabis culture that defined BC’s backcountry scene

Starting snowboarding at age 5 in Yakima, Washington, Zach Gavin now represents the new era of cannabis normalization in action sports. In 2024, he joined the Juniper Cannabis Athlete Team, openly sponsored by a cannabis company – a stark contrast to Ross Rebagliati’s 1998 Olympic scandal.

Key Highlights:

• First generation with open cannabis sponsorships – Joined Juniper Cannabis Athlete Team in 2024
• Favorite products include Unicorn Poop strain and 1:1 THC:CBD Salve – Uses both recreational and therapeutic cannabis
• Participates in mental wellness events – Competes in events like the Nate Chute Banked Slalom
• Represents holistic athlete approach – Balances performance with mental health awareness
• Current Status: As documented by Juniper Cannabis, Gavin embodies the current generation where cannabis sponsorships are normalized and mental health awareness is prioritized

Pro snowboarder until age 39, Marc Frank Montoya represents a unique perspective: he owns Sofa King Medicinal dispensary in Colorado but personally uses cannabis only “maybe twice a year with close friends.” His philosophy focuses on education: “I pull them in with weed, then I show them what wellness is really all about. A disease, most of the time, is a dis-ease we get from long-term malnutrition.”

Key Highlights:

• Owns dispensary but rarely consumes – Uses cannabis “maybe twice a year with close friends”
• Extended pro career 8-9 years through nutrition – Focused on supplements and holistic wellness
• Uses cannabis as gateway to wellness education – “I pull them in with weed, then I show them what wellness is really all about”
• Current Status: Continues his wellness education mission through his Colorado dispensary, as featured in Snowboarder Magazine

Providing rare gender diversity in the male-dominated snowboarding/cannabis culture, Salt Lake City’s Alexa McCarty has been trimming cannabis since 2010 to “subsidize winter finances.” Her honest perspective cuts through stereotypes: “That’s literally how I’m able to snowboard.”

Key Highlights:

• Trimming since 2010 to fund snowboarding – “That’s literally how I’m able to snowboard”
• Describes the trim work reality – “Sometimes it’s super professional and sometimes it’s just a party”
• Honest benefits assessment – “It makes food better. It makes sex better. So, of course it makes snowboarding better”
• Represents practical economic relationship – Shows how many snowboarders balance lifestyle with cannabis industry work
• Current Status: Continues to balance her snowboarding lifestyle with cannabis industry work, providing an authentic female perspective on the intersection of these cultures, as documented in Snowboarder Magazine

Gus Engle offers one of the most honest reflections on cannabis use in snowboarding. After losing two years of memories (2006-2008) due to heavy consumption while “living in a van, sleeping on couches/floors in Reno,” Engle developed deep insights into the relationship between cannabis and action sports culture.

Key Highlights:

• Lost two years of memories to heavy consumption – Lived in a van in Reno during 2006-2008
• Profound cultural commentary – “If pot could talk, it would be the language of snowboarding and surfing and skateboarding”
• Criticizes cannabis standardization – “It’s like going to the liquor store and saying, ‘I’ll take alcohol'”
• Abstained for five years – Developed balanced perspective on benefits and pitfalls (as of 2017)
• Current Status: Provides balanced perspective on both the benefits and potential pitfalls of heavy cannabis use in snowboarding culture, as featured in Snowboarder Magazine

Whether you’re seeking recovery aids after a day on the slopes or exploring different consumption methods, Herb connects you to the cannabis community that shares your passion for both snowboarding and cannabis culture.

For those interested in specific strains that might complement your snowboarding experience, the Herb Strain Guides provide detailed information to help you make informed choices. If you’re traveling to snowboarding destinations, the Herb Dispensary Directory helps you locate compliant retailers by state and city.

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Remember: Herb provides educational content only and is not a source of medical advice. Always comply with applicable laws in your area, and ensure you understand local regulations regarding cannabis use, especially in public spaces and ski resorts.