Shredding the Beat

“Shredding the Beat: The Evolution of Snowboarder Tunes Over the Last 30 Years”

Yo, what’s up, snow slayers? We all know that snowboarding isn’t just about the tricks, the runs, or the après-ski vibes. It’s also about the soundtrack. And not just any soundtrack—THE soundtrack. Whether you’re throwing down an epic rail slide or catching some air off a kicker, your music sets the vibe. Over the past 30 years, snowboarders have definitely gone through some major musical phases. From the rebellious rock sounds of the early days to the trap beats dominating the slopes today, let’s break down how the soundtrack of snowboarding has evolved, one gnarly beat at a time.

The 90s: Flannel, Beanies, and Punk Rock Attitude

Let’s rewind to the 90s. Snowboarding was still the rebellious little brother to skiing, with a crew of gnarly riders who didn’t follow the rules. If you were a snowboarder in the 90s, you probably spent your time shredding to grunge or punk rock—think Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and all the angst-driven tunes that screamed, “I don’t care if you ski.” It was a decade of baggy pants, flannels, and some serious attitude. This was snowboarding at its rawest—you were there to shred, not make friends.

Music Highlights: Nirvana, Rage Against the Machine, The Offspring, Green Day. You can almost smell the scent of fresh powder and rebellion.
Snowboarder Vibe: You were probably rocking a skate-style deck, listening to grunge on your Walkman, and hitting every rail like you were trying to land a kickflip. Snowboarding wasn’t just a sport; it was a lifestyle, man.

The Early 2000s: EDM Drops and Skiers Who Didn’t Get It

Fast forward to the early 2000s. By this point, snowboarding had hit the mainstream, but we weren’t giving up our edge. We were still skating and surfing, but now we had digital technology—hello, MP3 players and iPods! The early 2000s saw snowboarding and EDM (Electronic Dance Music) become basically inseparable. Riders were taking on half-pipes to the drop of a hard-hitting techno beat, or grooving through powder runs to some house tunes. The energy was all about getting that perfect, pumping track to match your sickest run.

Music Highlights: The Chemical Brothers, Daft Punk, Basement Jaxx, and Tiesto. Also, maybe some pop-punk if you were feeling that rebellious streak.
Snowboarder Vibe: Your helmet was strapped tight, your jacket was neon, and you were hucking off the biggest jumps while your earbuds blasted the latest club banger. Snowboarding wasn’t just a sport anymore—it was a performance.

The Late 2000s: Indie, Hip-Hop, and More Chill Vibes

By the late 2000s, snowboarding culture had evolved (aka chilled out). It was all about looking stylish, hitting up the park, and maybe catching some fresh tracks. The music followed suit. Riders were no longer just listening to high-energy beats but also vibing to indie rock, hip-hop, and chillwave. Think of it as the “cool” era—the time when you wore your signature hoodie and dropped into a run like you were starring in a snowboarding movie montage. You could throw down a sick rail trick while blasting some chill beats or crank up the volume with hip-hop as you hit a jump.

Music Highlights: The Black Keys, Kid Cudi, The Strokes, J Dilla. Also, some underground rap from the likes of A$AP Rocky or Wu-Tang Clan made their way into many a rider’s playlist.
Snowboarder Vibe: You were no longer just about big air—now, you were about style, grace, and making every trick look smooth. You wore sunglasses on cloudy days and twisted grabs while nodding to some lo-fi beats.

The 2010s: Trap Beats and the Rise of GoPro Vlogs

The 2010s were a whole new world for snowboarding. Everyone had a GoPro, and filming your runs was just as important as riding them. The world of snowboarding had gone viral, and we were all about getting the shot. Naturally, the music had to follow suit. Enter trap music and some of the most intense bass drops you’ve ever heard. You weren’t just hitting rails anymore—you were performing for an audience of millions on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Every rail grind was a chance to drop a sick beat. It wasn’t just about the trick; it was about how it looked with the track.

Music Highlights: Future, Travis Scott, Skrillex, and DJ Snake were heavy in the game. Post Malone and Kendrick Lamar also made their way into the mountain vibes.
Snowboarder Vibe: You had a GoPro on your helmet, your music was loud, and your tricks were all about big flips and those huge double corks. You needed that bass drop to perfectly time your spin and make sure your video got the most likes.

The 2020s: A Mix of Everything (Seriously, Everything)

Here we are in the 2020s, and the lines are totally blurred. Snowboarding has been around long enough that there’s no one dominant genre. It’s a free-for-all, and snowboarders are living for it. Some people are still rocking those high-energy trap beats, while others are out there listening to indie rock, hip-hop, or even classic rock. The 2020s are all about expression. You’re just as likely to hear someone blasting Billie Eilish or Lizzo as you are to hear Travis Scott or flume. Snowboarding is now so deeply embedded into popular culture that whatever vibe you’re feeling, there’s a track for it.

Music Highlights: Billie Eilish, Lizzo, Lil Nas X, Flume, and even some nostalgic 90s jams.
Snowboarder Vibe: It’s a mash-up of all the previous decades, and honestly, there’s no one “right” way to do it. You’re just here for the ride, the tricks, and the good times. From the backcountry to the park, the music fits your style, not the other way around.

Final Thoughts: Music and Snowboarding Are Forever Linked

Over the past 30 years, snowboarding has grown, evolved, and expanded, and music has always been right there alongside it, riding the same wave. From grunge to EDM, trap to indie, snowboarding has always thrived with a sick track in the background. Because let’s be honest: nothing gets you through a brutal morning session like a good playlist. The mountain may change, the tricks may get crazier, but one thing is for sure: the music’s always going to shred alongside you.

Now, grab your board, throw on your favorite banger, and let’s get to shredding.