Snowboarding is a rather new sport that began in the U.S. in the 1960s. When snowboarding was established, most ski areas did not even permit boardriding on their slopes. Back then, boarders used a short-thin board with a rope attached at the nose, called the "Snurfer", which was ridden without bindings. In the '70s the snowboard shape began to evolve, but it wasn't until the early '80s that steel edges and P-tex bases were introduced.

It was 1988 when TransWorld Snowboarding donated $500 to former amateur surf coach Chuck Allen to incorporate the United States Amateur Snowboarding Association. The USASA is the first governing body exclusively for competitive grassroots snowboarding. The organizers believed that by forming a national association for snowboard competitors, rules of competition could be standardized, an annual national championship event could be established, and the recreation and fun of this rapidly growing sport could be preserved and flourish.

Since the USASA was founded, there has been a substantial increase each season in the number of competitors and regions participating within the USASA. Men and women of all ages from 40 states compete in the annual national championships. In addition to the halfpipe, slalom, and giant slalom disciplines, the USASA introduced slopestyle as a sanctioned discipline in the 1993-94 season.

The USASA National Championships have been held at amazing locations across the United States, including Waterville Valley, NH and Northstar at Tahoe, CA. Starting this year, the USASA National Championships will be held at Copper Mountain, CO; and remain there through 2012. This year will be the 20th Annual USASA National Championships!
Snowboarding was accepted by the International Olympic Committee as a full medal sport for the 1998 Games in Japan. Every US Olympic Team athlete got their start in the USASA.

Today, snowboarding is the fastest growing winter sport in the world. The USASA is proud to be able to represent the recreational and competitive interests of amateur snowboarding in the United States. Our goal is to promote Safe, Fair, & FUN events while fostering a competitive spirit.