“Heading into a busy Olympic year, we’ve decided to reduce the number of events to free up some room in the global events calendar,” said Burton Global Events coordinator Liam Griffin.   “We’re totally committed to the riders who support the series, and are trying to make it easier for everybody to hit all the different events they need to this coming season.” 

The series is scheduled to take place in the United States at Stratton Mountain Resort in Vermont, beginning March 16, 2010 through March 21, 2010. 

With events scheduled year-long and in five countries, this competition is appealing to professional snowboarders from all over the world, as it has the largest cumulative prize purse of any snowboarding competition.

For more information on the event, check out www.opensnowboarding.com.

“The park was really successful last year, and we’re stoked to be working with Burton to continue this fun project,” said Mellow Parks CEO Zdarsky.  “China in general had a great winter snowboard season, with more and more locals getting into the sport. Based on the big turnout at [today’s] grand opening, it looks like I’m not the only one who is excited about continuing to snowboard through the summer!”

For more information, click here.

The top ten all mountain boards and top ten terrain park boards will be listed in the Buyer’s Guide and in the October issue of Transworld Snowboarding coming this September. 

The board test categories are as follows:

• Top Ten Men’s Park and All-Mountain Boards Under $399
• Top Ten Men’s Park and All-Mountain Boards Over $400
• Top Ten Womens Park and All-Mountain Boards Under $399
• Top Ten Women’s Park and All-Mountain Boards Over $400
• Top Five Men’s Pipe Boards

To see a list of last year’s Good Wood Test winners, click here. 

Even though the slopes and the inches of powder accumulated on the trees made it look like the slopes were rideable at least another three weeks, corporate owners of Colorado’s largest resorts are done for the season.  Echo Mountain, however, does not have any corporate bosses to report to, therefore, the resort management has its own say in things. 

““We’re on private land, so we’re not tied to a fixed closing date,” says Echo’s marketing manager Molly Mueller. “If conditions and demand warrant staying open a little longer, we’ll stay open a little longer.” 

As of right now, Echo Mountain’s closing date is April 26, 2009, but that is subject to change with the current snowfall.  To keep updated on the potential of a longer shredding season, visit echomtnpark.com.

For those already looking forward to a fresh start of a new season, now would be the time to purchase a season pass for the 2009-2010 winter season.  The unlimited Arapahoe Basin pass (with five days at Keystone or Breckenridge) is now only $339, and if purchased, can also be used for the remainder of this season.

For the Epic pass, which gives unlimited access all season long to six resorts–Vail, Beaver Creek, Heavenly, Keystone, Breckenridge, and Arapahoe Basin–riders have the option to put only $49 down before May 10, 2009, and will not have to pay off the balance of $599 until September.  So for those strapped for cash but planning ahead, this is a great opportunity.

The Rocky Mountain Superpass, with unlimited access to Copper and Winterpark resorts and 6 days at Steamboat (where Friday afternoons are free), is currently only $399 but only until April 19, 2009.  Now is the opportunity to bank on great deals that will guarantee an upcoming season of shredding.

“At Vail Resorts, the safety of our employees and guests is a top priority and we believe the time has come for us to take our commitment to safety to the next level,” said Vail Resorts’ Mountain Division co-president and chief operating officer at Beaver Creek, John Garnsey.  ”Our employees will set the example next year for all who enjoy skiing and riding our slopes.” 

Also, any children under the age of 12 who participate in any Vail Resort group lesson will be required to sport a helmet, and helmets will be a standard and required in rental packages (for 12 years and younger) at any Vail Resort rental and retail outlets.

For the Men’s Open Class, local Coloradoan Ben Stewart walked away with first prize of $1,000, followed by Paul Brichta from Burnsville, Minn. and Kenny Ballou from Hailey, Idaho.  Kaitlyn Farrington from Bellevue, Idaho grabbed the $1,000 first prize money in the Women’s Open class, with Kelly Marren (Hillsborough, Calif.) and Molly Wilson (Basalt, Colo.) coming in at second and third. 

For a complete line up and final updates on the event, visit USASA.org.

Beginning this weekend, April 11-12 and again next weekend, April 18-19, acts like The Original Wailers with Junior Marvin, Mix Master Mike, DJ Z-Trip, and most notably, headliner STS9, will be giving live PA performances.

This weekend’s Easter events are geared towards the family, with Easter egg hunts for kids of all ages as 50,000 eggs fill Copper village, and opportunities to hit the tubing hill.  Lodging at Copper starts at $55 per person per night with other great deals on gear rental and lessons.  Next year’s Rocky Mountain Super Pass Plus is also on sale for $399 through April 19, 2009. 

For more information and a full schedule of events, visit CopperSunsation.com.

The event will also include drawings for prizes including an autographed Andreas Wiig snowboard. 

Visit Vans.com for more information.    

The results were close andthe competition was hot, as Aspen local Gretchen Bleiler took second and world famous Ellery Hollingsworth grabbed third.  One person to keep an eye on is 14 year-old local Coloradoan MaddySchaffrick, who competed with twelve of the top riders in the world and pulled in sixth place, earning herself the “Most Progressive Rider” award. 

For complete results click here.