Shaun White Reflects on the ‘Signs’ That Led to His Retirement from Legendary Career at 35

One of the legends of snowboarding retired this year during the Winter Olympics. Shaun White had his last run at the halfpipe in Beijing and officially said goodbye to his professional career. White has already revealed competing in the Beijing games that this would be his last and final Olympics.

Shaun White first participated in the 2006 Olympics, and since then he has represented the US at 5 Olympics. A true legend of the sport, he changed the game altogether, bringing in new styles and tricks.

But why and when did Shaun decide to retire from his beloved sport? He recently reveals the exact moment when he knew it was time for him to retire and ride off into the sunset.

WATCH: Shaun White Makes a Dramatic Exit at Airport From Beijing Winter Olympics 2022

The moment Shaun White realized it was time

It was shocking news for fans when Shaun White revealed that he would retire after his 5th and final Olympics. White is the GOAT of snowboarding and it was sad to see him go.

Recently, on The Late Show with James Corden, Shaun White has revealed that he was training in Austria when he took this decision. And there is an interesting story which led to this decision.

After wrapping training one day, Shaun tried to return but got lost. This incident occurred even after he had been to the same location a couple of times.

“I am trying to get down to the parking area and I got lost. And in Europe, if you get lost, you can end up like in Italy….  And I am like I don’t have the right currency,” said Shaun White.

Ultimately he took the gondola back to the location and while he was going through the mountains, he realized that he wanted to retire.

“These were the signs that told me and I was looking out and I was like ‘wow this is the last time I’ll be at this resort and be like stressed about learning tricks’ and something like that.”

The fact that he could come back to the same place without all the pressure of training sounded like a good idea to White.

What is White looking forward to after retirement?

Shaun White made an interesting observation while on his trip in Austria. While at a luxury resort anywhere in the world, he realized he had only ever visited the halfpipe.

“And the thought had occurred to me that I’ve been to these resorts all around the world and I’ve only been to the run that takes me to the halfpipe,” said the 35-year-old.

He now wanted to explore all the other parts of the beautiful mountains.

“There’s a whole mountain there and I am excited to go back and check it all out.”

After retirement, White wants to visit all these resorts, explore the place, explore the mountains around them and experience the place as a whole.

READ MORE: Shaun White Tries Out New Sport Amidst Retirement from Snowboarding