4 time Overall British Championship, Neil McNab is one of Britain's most highly qualified and successful Professional Snowboarders, (ISIA) Ski and Snowboard Teachers and (UIAGM) High Mountain Guides.

Neil McNab has been professionally involved in the Snowsports industry for over 20 years, firstly achieving his international Ski teachers (ISIA) qualification in 1987 before becoming a Professional Snowboarder in the early 90’s after earning his first British Snowboard titles in 1991.


McNab in the half-pipe.

Between 93 and 96 Neil was a World cup Snowboard competitor earning several top 16 World cup placings and was elected as British Snowboard team captain for the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan.


McNab hard at work as a professional freerider.

On retiring from competitive Snowboarding, Neil followed his passion for riding the Backcountry of the high mountains travelling the world as a Professional Freeride Snowboarder, sponsored by The North Face and Salomon Snowboards, whilst at the same time, setting the foundations for what has today become ‘McNab Snowboarding’, running his first Specialist Snowboard camp in 1995.


McNab in Mtn Guide mode on the summit of Mont Blanc.

A dedicated climber since childhood, Neil finally settled in his spiritual home of Chamonix in 97 where he could pursue his passions for Freeriding, Climbing and Mountaineering and earned himself a much coveted place on the ‘French’ High Mountain Guides’ training scheme, becoming one of only a few foreign Nationals to achieve the UIAGM International ‘High Mountain Guide’ qualification through the highly esteemed French system and one of the only 'Professional Snowboarders' World Wide to hold this qualification.

Neil was instrumental in the development of the ‘British Association of Snowsports Instructors’ Snowboard instructors teaching qualification and in 2006 released an instructional book and DVD, ‘Go Snowboard’ published by DK books publishing his revolutionary Snowboard technical progression, the ‘McNab Pressure Control System’.


McNab, another day in the office, this time on Skis!

Today through his company ‘McNab Snowsports’, Neil devotes his time to Guiding and Teaching others in the World of the High Mountains, sharing his knowledge, passion and experience as a Professional Snowboarder, Skier and Climber with those that share his enthusiasm for the high peaks and endless descents all over the World.

In 2004 Neil McNab was involved in the daring rescue of a stranded Korean climber left for dead high on Denali (Mount McKinley) in Alaska. For his part in this event Neil and climbing partner Andy Perkins, received the PMI 'Denali Mountaineer of the Year' award in 2004.


McNab and Andy Perkins recieve the US Citizens 'Award for Bravery'.

In 2008 they were further decorated for bravery with the US Citizens 'Medal of Valor'.



The US Citizens 'Medal of Valor'

For more info on this event read Neil's account Rescue on Denali in our Library.