Snowboarding Pioneer Paul Alden Has Died At The Age Of 89

Originally posted on SNOWBOARDER | By Leigh LaBrake | Last updated Apr 15, 2026 4:04 PM ET

If you have ever ridden a snowboard at a ski resort in the United States, you can thank Paul Alden.

He was one of the earliest employees at Burton Snowboards. His title was resort liaison, and it was his job to visit all the ski areas that were resistant to permitting one-plankers and teach them the ins and outs of standing sideways.

In 1992, Alden helped broker a merger between the United States Ski Association and the United States Amateur Snowboard Association, in hopes of making snowboarding at the Olympics more viable. Then, he worked in a similar manner to bring snowboarding to the Olympic Winter Games in 1998.

"Back then I thought he was wasting his time," his son David said. "Little did I know."

Alden died on April 9, 2026. He was 89 years old.

Most recently, Alden worked as the general manager for Soldier Mountain. His son David now holds that role.

Alden got his start in snowboarding thanks to David, who was a member of the Burton team. Paul went on to be an instructor at Grand Targhee Ski Resort in Wyoming and was involved in both manufacturing and business development. Alden’s son, Rick, founded Skullcandy in 2003, and the company still has strong roots in snowboarding today.

Paul managed the brand’s offshore production operations in China during the company's early years.

Alden is preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Clarisse; and Scott, a son. He is survived by his wife Sharon; his children Mary (Jim) Moore, Carole (Doug) Andersen, David Alden, Rick Alden, and Clare Chadwick; 25 grandchildren; and 37 great-grandchildren.

A viewing will be held on Friday, April 17, from 6-8 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse at 135 East 2000 South in Orem, Utah. Funeral services will follow Saturday, April 18, with a viewing prior to the 11 a.m. services from 10-10:45 a.m. Interment will be in the Alpine (Utah) City Cemetery.

Our thoughts are with the Alden family, friends, and loved ones at this time.

Ride in paradise, Paul.

This article first appeared on SNOWBOARDER and was syndicated with permission.

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