Feature
Zoi Sadowski-Synnott from Cardrona to the World
For Zoi Sadowski-Synnott, snowboarding started as something simple: a love for the mountains, the freedom of the ride and the joy of being outdoors.
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“I kind of started snowboarding just 'cause I loved the sport and the freedom it gave me being up on the mountain"
Inspired by her parents and siblings, Zoi never imagined the sport would take her to the world stage. Her earliest memory on the snow dates back to a family Christmas in Whistler. Her brother convinced her to enter her first competition, a rail jam in Whistler. Despite being the only girl in the field, Zoi was “pretty stoked” to walk away with first place.
That moment lit a spark. The challenge and energy of competition was where she wanted to be. Qualifying for the Olympic Games went from a pipe dream into a clear goal.
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“I never really expected it to amount to anything.”
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At just 15 years old, Zoi lined up for her first Big Air World Cup in December 2016, sharing the start list with legends like Jamie Anderson. Finishing ninth left her “over the moon.” But this was only the beginning of a rapid rise.
Within months, she was on World Cup podiums in Quebec and Spindleruv Mlyn, claiming medals in Slopestyle and Big Air. By 2018, she was an Olympian, earning bronze in Big Air at PyeongChang and alongside Nico Porteous marking New Zealand’s best showing at an Olympic Winter Games with dual Bronze medals.
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Fast forward to Beijing 2022 and Sadowski-Synnott delivered an iconic moment in New Zealand sporting history – a gold medal in Snowboard Slopestyle and the country’s first-ever Olympic Winter Games gold medal. Days later, she added a silver medal in the Big Air.
“It doesn’t feel real. I feel really grateful to be in this position. When I was a kid, I never even expected to go to one Olympic Games. And then, yeah, you blink and time flies.”
A shy, endearing champion and inspiration to the next generation of New Zealand Team snow athletes, Zoi knows she’s been a pioneer for others to carve their own path in the sport.
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“It means a lot to me that people are inspired by my journey and that's all I've ever hoped for. To just have an impact on one single person to… follow their dreams and work hard and have fun.”
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Since Beijing, Zoi has dominated the sport. Multiple X Games titles, three World Championship Slopestyle crowns in 2019, 2021 and 2025 as well as claiming the FIS Snowboard Slopestyle Crystal Globe – a first for a Kiwi female.
She’s been named Sportswoman of the Year at the ISPS Handa Halberg Awards, received the New Zealand Olympic Committee’s Lonsdale Cup and was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
While the accolades stack up, her focus remains grounded.
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“The results don't matter as much as the everyday journey and working towards something. I just hope I can keep doing that and continue inspiring the up-and-coming talent.”
Despite global success, Zoi’s roots are firmly at Cardrona Alpine Resort.
“I call Cardrona, New Zealand home. I've been riding there since I was a kid and I love riding there 'cause I get to train and ride with all my friends, family and teammates.”
Before every competition, she sends a message to her parents: “I pretty much do that for every competition, just to say thanks… for supporting me and helping me live my dream.”
As she heads into her third Olympic Games, she carries experience, perspective and a simple hope – to keep riding and keep inspiring, all while loving the journey.
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