Two-time Olympic silver medalist and snowboarding icon Danny Kass will have some of the biggest names in American snowboarding under his direction this winter. U.S. Ski & Snowboard announced its finalized 2026-27 national team roster Thursday, confirming that Kass will lead a slopestyle and big air program featuring Olympic champions Jamie Anderson and Red Gerard, along with several emerging American stars.
Danny’s appointment represents a change in disciplines after several seasons coaching the American halfpipe team, where he began working with rookie athletes in 2022 before becoming the professional team’s head coach the following season.
Beyond his Olympic success, Kass earned seven X Games medals and helped shape snowboard culture through his riding, videos and Grenade Gloves, the snowboard apparel company he co-founded with his brother Matt.
A Star-Studded Roster For The 2026-27 Season
Kass takes over a slopestyle and big air program with considerable Olympic experience. Jamie Anderson, a two-time Olympic slopestyle gold medalist, and Red Gerard, who won slopestyle gold at the 2018 Winter Olympics, headline a group that also includes 2022 Olympic silver medalist Julia Marino and 2026 Olympic bronze medalist Jake Canter.
The team also features 2025-26 women’s slopestyle Crystal Globe winner Lily Dhawornvej, who claimed the season-long World Cup title, along with established competitors Sean FitzSimons, Judd Henkes and Luke Winkelmann.
There will be younger talent joining the veteran athletes as well. Jessica Perlmutter, a 2026 Olympian, and Brooklyn DePriest, who won a NorAm big air competition in Calgary, have both earned promotions to the professional roster.
Kass will be joined by Stan Wu as the professional team’s assistant coach, while Eric Beauchemin and Ryan Conway will continue working with the rookie slopestyle and big air athletes.
U.S. Snowboarding Makes Several Coaching Changes
Kass’ move is part of a broader restructuring of the national team’s coaching staff. Brett Esser takes over as professional halfpipe head coach, with Rakai Tait joining as a professional team coach. Harald Benselin and Jan Klemsa will lead the snowboard cross program.
“This year’s roster has a great mix of riders who have already stood on the biggest stage and young athletes who are ready to make their mark,” said U.S. Snowboard Team sport director Rick Bower.
The 2026-27 season will also be the first under the organization’s expanded sponsorship agreement with Toyota, which brings the U.S. Snowboard Team and U.S. Para Snowboard Team together under a single title sponsor.
The World Cup season is scheduled to begin Nov. 26-28 with big air competition in Innsbruck, Austria. One of the biggest events on the calendar will be the FIS Snowboard World Championships in Montafon, Austria, scheduled for March 6-21, 2027.
For Kass, the upcoming season marks another chapter in a snowboarding career that has taken him from Olympic podiums to helping develop the next generation of American competitors.