Shaun White Snowboarding gives the player a snowboard and sends them off to four ski run locations around the world (Europe, Alaska, Japan, and Park City) under the watchful eye of professional snowboarder Shaun White himself as well as other professionals. But before the player can go on the slope, they have to create their character by choosing from different body looks, clothes, and snowboards.
During the course of the game, the player earns money by completing challenges, which can then be invested in more stylized clothes and additional types of snowboards. Each board has six stats like balance or speed, and not all of them are the best option for every situation. While in a race, speed is an important factor, but having a higher rating in rotation allows for better stunts.
The game puts the player in an open world where they can roam around the slope freely. Several lifts and even a helicopter bring them to different starting locations, but they can also walk and discover hidden areas by doing so. By performing tricks with controls similar to Skate, the player earns respect points. On the track, besides obstacles for performing tricks, there are challenges like Jibfest (where only tricks on rails and boxes count), Freestyle (where every trick counts), Death Race (where getting to the goal before others is key, with any means allowed), and King of the Hill (which can only be done with at least one other human player joining in).
The multiplayer mode extends the single-player experience. Everything available in single player can also be done with other players online or over LAN. Other players are dropped into the open world with the freedom to just do what they want on the server.