White - arguably the sport's biggest-ever name - was scored 77.33 for his first run by the judges, and that was enough to earn the last qualification berth from heat one by 1.33 points.

Fellow Americans Taylor Gold and Chasey Josey also advanced to the final.

The top four qualifiers were all Japanese, with double Olympic silver medallist Ayumu Hirano leading the way on 95.66.

Ruka Hirano, who was only three when White made his Olympic debut, scored 90.66.

World champion Yuto Totsuka was given 90.33 points, while three Swiss snowboarders including world bronze medallist Jan Scherrer complete the 10-rider final line-up.

Women's qualifying at the Colorado resort was similarly dominated by the Japanese, with three of the eight athletes to reach the final coming from Japan.

It was Queralt Castellet, however, the Spaniard, who earned the top score from the judges - 94.33.

China's two-time former world champion Xuetong Cai won the other heat, scoring 90.33, while 17-year-old Mitsuki Ono was one of the Japanese riders to advance, along with 2021 Winter X Games superpipe bronze medallist Haruna Matsumoto.

The finals are scheduled for Saturday (December 11).