<P> Snowboarding is a sport that has been contested at the Winter Olympic Games since the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan . Snowboarding was one of five new sports or disciplines added to the Winter Olympic programme between 1990 and 2002, and was the only one not to have been a previous medal or demonstration event . In 1998, four events, two for men and two for women, were held in two specialities: the giant slalom, a downhill event similar to giant slalom skiing; and the half - pipe, in which competitors perform tricks while going from one side of a semi-circular ditch to the other . Canadian Ross Rebagliati won the men's giant slalom and became the first athlete to win a gold medal in snowboarding . Rebagliati was briefly stripped of his medal by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) after testing positive for marijuana . However, the IOC's decision was reverted following an appeal from the Canadian Olympic Association . For the 2002 Winter Olympics, the giant slalom was dropped in favour of the parallel giant slalom, an event that involves head - to - head racing . In 2006, a third event, the snowboard cross, was held for the first time . In this event, competitors race against each other down a course with jumps, beams and other obstacles . </P> <P> Five athletes have won two medals . Philipp Schoch of Switzerland, Shaun White of the United States and Seth Wescott of the United States are the only double gold medalists . Karine Ruby of France and Americans Ross Powers and Danny Kass also won two medals . In the men's half - pipe event, American snowboarders have collected six of nine possible medals, achieving a unique medal sweep in 2002 . Overall, the United States won a total of 14 medals, more than any other nation . The Americans and the Swiss collected five gold medals each . As of the 2010 Winter Olympics, 60 medals (20 of each colour) have been awarded since 1998, and have been won by athletes from 14 National Olympic Committees . </P>

Who won the first olympic gold medal in snowboarding