Valentino Guseli, Back on the Snow
Valentino Guseli talks Olympics, Snow League, and NZ.
After the Winter Olympics, Valentino Guseli got back to work fast. We talked with him in New Zealand about the Olympics, the Snow League World Tour and why he keeps coming back here.
On his mindset, he says, “Post Olympics, I’m feeling pretty good.” “I had a lot of fun there and I feel like I got a lot out of it personally. I didn’t quite get the results that I was looking for. Then I went home for about a week and then got straight back overseas and kept competing. I find that’s a better way to deal with the post Olympic blues, rather than relax.”
On the new tour format, he says, “I’m excited about the new format. It’s super cool. It’s really exciting to go head-to-head and have a heat format rather than, you know, just versing everyone in the field at once. I feel like it’s going to be a really nice platform for snowboarding to be on, especially now with broadcasting being really good and super easy to watch. That is gonna be massive for our sport.”
Valentino first came to the New Zealand Nationals around age seven. He’s loved shredding here ever since, including that full-time 22-foot half pipe. He compares Wānaka and Queenstown with Jindabyne, noting there’s not as much to do in Jindabyne, while Wānaka and Queenstown have heli rides, jet boats, buggies, and other fun stuff.
What’s next?
After the World Challenge event, he’ll head home to Australia on Monday. Then a day at home, a week in Melbourne for sponsors and the AFL Grand Final, then on to Europe for pre-season training. And when he’s not snowboarding, Valentino enjoys everything the South Island has to offer “We stayed at Sherwood the other day and ate some amazing food. It was super nice there. I feel like Australian food and New Zealand food are very, very similar” noting the yummy NZ chocolate.
“I just love being here and I think all the people are so great and it’s such a beautiful place. Yeah, I’m always happy to come back to New Zealand.”
ABOUT THE SNOW LEAGUE
The Snow League is the first professional winter sports league dedicated exclusively to snowboard and freeski halfpipe competition. Founded by three-time Olympic gold medalist Shaun White, the league brings together the world’s top athletes through a global, season-long competition format designed to elevate progression, storytelling, and fan experience. Season One featured four events across Aspen, China, and LAAX, with athletes competing for a $2.2 million purse and the inaugural Snow League World Championship titles. The league crowned its first-ever champions in 2026: snowboarders Sena Tomita and Yuto Totsuka, and freeskiers Eileen Gu and Luke Harrold.
The Snow League continues to expand its global footprint in Season Two, while building a year-round competition circuit and progression pathway for the next generation of snowboarders and freeskiers.
Words: Emma Wilson
Photos: Hannah Peters/Getty Images for Snow League
