Lakewood, CO – The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) has announced that it will present the Industry Impact Award to professional athlete and phenom Shaun White. Last presented in 2009 to the Winter X Games, the NSAA Industry Impact Award recognizes significant contributions made to the ski and snowboard industry by an individual, business, or other entity. NSAA will present the award May 5 during its National Convention and Tradeshow to be held at the La Costa Resort and Spa in White’s home town of Carlsbad, Calif.n“For both his legendary athletic achievements and the tremendous exposure he has brought to the sport of snowboarding, Shaun’s impact on our industry can not be overstated, and we are truly honored to present him with this very fitting award,” says NSAA President Michael Berry.

White’s impact on the snowsports industry is incalculable. He is a two-time Olympic Gold medalist in the halfpipe, with record-setting medal hauls in both the Winter X Games and the Winter Dew Tour. White holds the distinction of being the only athlete to win Gold medals in four straight years at the Winter X Games and the first person to medal in both the Summer and Winter X Games in two different sports (snowboarding and skateboarding). His amazing arsenal of new tricks in the pipe has pushed the progression of snowboarding to new heights – both figuratively and literally – motivating an entire generation to embrace snowboarding and terrain parks.

White has also raised awareness for the sport through his brand and business relationships with Burton, Target, Oakley, Stride, BFGoodrich Tires, Ubisoft and Park City Mountain Resort. This reach is evidenced by his current ranking as the second most powerful and marketable professional athlete according to Bloomberg BusinessWeek, in between Peyton Manning and Tiger Woods.