Snowboarding

One of the younger disciplines in the programme of the Universiade, snowboarding was introduced at the 1995 Universiade in Jaca, Spain. Initially it was considered only as a demonstration sport and 29 athletes representing 10 countries took part in the first snowboarding competitions in Jaca.

However, the spectacular nature of the sport and its popularity in the university environment rapidly allowed it to conquer more space, and snowboarding soon became one of the compulsory disciplines in the programme, introducing the jumps and excitement of «border cross» starting from the 1999 Universiade organised in Poprad-Tatry, Slovakia. Later the event changed its name, becoming Snowboard Cross, while the Half Pipe and Slope Style events, incredibly spectacular to watch, also became a part of the programme.

Slope Style is an event that was supposed to make its debut at the Universiade in Erzurum in 2011, but it was cancelled due to windy conditions. The programme of the 2015 Winter Universiade in Granada includes Half-Pipe, Parallel Giant Slalom, Snowboard Cross and Slopestyle parallel giant slalom competitions, for both men and women.

In the parallel giant slalom and snowboard cross events the winner will be established on the basis of the time, with events characterised by exciting «one on one» races, uncertain until the end.

In the half pipe and slope style events on the other hand, it will be the acrobatic moves of the athletes that make the difference, with jumps and «tricks» that will be carefully assessed by a jury and which will thus represent the key element in winning a medal.

The snowboarding competitions will take place on Sierra Nevada.