Paul Alden, a pivotal figure in the snowboarding industry, passed away on April 9, 2026, at the age of 89. Born in New York City in 1936, Alden was instrumental in advocating for snowboarding's acceptance at ski resorts during the mid-1980s, a time when many resorts denied access to snowboarders. He worked tirelessly behind the scenes to resolve insurance issues that prevented resorts from allowing snowboarders, resulting in a dramatic increase in participating resorts from 40 in the 1984-85 season to 476 by 1990. Alden also co-founded the North American Snowboard Association, which helped establish a unified World Cup circuit and laid the groundwork for snowboarding's inclusion in the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. Beyond his organizational contributions, Alden was a passionate snowboarder and taught the sport at Grand Targhee Ski Resort in Wyoming. He continued to influence the industry until his later years, managing operations for his son Rick's company, Skullcandy. Alden's funeral services will be held on April 18, 2026, in Orem, Utah.