Burton US Open moving to Vail

What has been rumors, going around in the snowboarding circus for quite some months now is finally confirmed. Angry Snowboarder published a shot of a US Open banner featuring already the new location of this historical event. That means, that Stratton’s time is definitely up now and almost 30 years of tradition find its end. The 31st Burton US Open will go down from February 25th till March 2nd in 2013 up at Vail. Among the scene Stratton didn’t have really that many fans if it wasn’t the locals or simply the older folks somehow, that relate it to as one big-ass event tradition that is great, but of course there isn’t any regret at all from Burton’s side to read really, wether we’re talking about leaving Stratton or going to Vail, which isn’t any more popular than Vermont really. Even better: Jake can look down on one of his best and most benefit bringing investments over the years from his private house there and doesn’t need his heli anymore to fly over. Of course it is just said how stoked and happy everybody is but if you’re interested in more, check what Burton founder Jake Burton Carpenter, or pro riders Kelly Clark and Marc McMorris think about this, you can read in the official press release from the Big B itself:

Burton Snowboards Officially Announces the Relocation of the US Open to Vail

BURLINGTON, Vt. & VAIL, Colo. (July 30, 2012) Burton Snowboards and Vail Mountain officially announced today that the Burton US Open Snowboarding Championships is moving to Vail, Colorado starting in 2013. The 31st edition of the US Open will take place at Vail’s Golden Peak from February 25 – March 2, 2013.

To commemorate this news, key members of the snowboard community gathered in Vail last week to get a first look at the venue, including the proposed 22-foot halfpipe location at Golden Peak, and hear from Burton andVail representatives about the vision and evolution for the event moving forward. Burton pro riders Kelly Clark and Mark McMorris were among the group in Vail, and had this to say:

“The US Open is one of my favorite events by far, and I couldn’t be more excited about its next evolution,” stated five-time US Open halfpipe champ and three-time Olympian Kelly Clark of West Dover, Vermont. “Burton has always been about progressing the sport and doing what’s best for snowboarders, and I truly believe that this move to Vail will make the Open even better for theriders and the thousands of fans who come out to watch.”

“I also couldn’t be more stoked on this,” added two-time X-Games Gold Medalist Mark McMorris of Regina, Canada. “Ever since I started snowboarding, the US Open was always the main show, and knowing what Burton and Vail have in store to take this contest to the next level makes me so excited to compete there this winter.”

The Burton US Open, which first took place in 1982, is now the longest-running snowboarding competition in the world. And like the sport itself, the event has morphed and changed over the past three decades – changes that not only included moving mountain locations from Suicide Six to Snow Valley to Stratton, but also changes that addressed the level of snowboarding and needs of the riders each year. Burton Founder & CEO Jake Burton has played a vital role at every step of the US Open’s history and had this to say:

“First off, I just want to thank Stratton Mountain in Vermont where the US Open took place for so long,” said Jake. “Stratton not only hosted the Open for 27 years, but also played a pivotal role in making resort riding a reality. And as we look to the future progression of the US Open, I feel that Vail offers us the ideal venue to host the event. Vail is an incredible mountain and has been my snowboarding home-away-from-home for over 20 years. I have no doubt that the US Open at Vail will only grow in its legacy as the premier rider-driven event in the world.”

Planning between Burton and Vail is well underway for the 2013 US Open, which includes securing final U.S. Forest Service approvals to relocate Vail’s halfpipe to a more favorable position on Golden Peak. In addition, Golden Peak’s base area will be transformed into a festival-like village with a host of exciting activities and experiences, including free, live music concerts for all riders and spectators.

“When Burton decided to move the US Open out west after 30 successful years back east, we were delighted that they chose Vail for such an important event. We look forward to hosting the world’s best snowboarders at Vail. We believe it’s a perfect marriage of two great brands in the winter sports industry and we’ll do our utmost to make this a tremendously successful endeavor,” said Blaise Carrig, president of Vail Resorts’ mountain division.

The 2013 US Open will take place at Vail Mountain from February 25-March 2, 2013. For ongoing updates and info please visit www.opensnowboarding.com throughout the season.

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