Stratton Open photos courtesy of Stratton.
Vermont Business Magazine Snowboarding is an integral part of Stratton Mountain’s history, and a story that continues to be celebrated on the slopes. Now in its seventh year, Stratton welcomes back the Vermont Open Snowboard and Music Festival from March 8-10. Snowboarding got its big break when Stratton became the first major resort to open its lifts and trails to what was a new sport. Jake Burton Carpenter, founder of the famed snowboarding brand Burton, had been testing his prototypes under the cloak of darkness on the Suntanner trail, and convinced the VP of Mountain Operations Paul Johnston to give it a try. That was 1983, and the rest, as they say, is history.
A Vermont Chamber of Commerce’s Top 10 Winter Events, this year’s event kicks off with a retro pipe competition and a rail jam hosted under the stars on Friday, March 8. The party Saturday continues with a slopestyle competition and fireworks in the Base Area at 8:30 p.m. The weekend ends with banked slalom and overall awards on Sunday.
Fan favorite, the Washed Up Cup, will be held on Sunday at 9 a.m. Legends 35 and up compete in the banked slalom. Each year, pros like Josh Wylie, Ross Powers, Tyler Emond and Seth Neary show show up to show off their skill and style while celebrating snowboarding’s roots, progression and camaraderie.
It wouldn’t be the Vermont Open without music, and this winter Stratton is happy to announce the Ghost of Paul Revere as the headliner. The Maine-based group is known for their combination of rock and folk music and will perform with local band, Saints and Liars. Tickets are $25 in advance and can be purchased online at www.stratton.com.
This year’s commemorative snowboards are being donated by Never Summer Industries, with artwork created by Skyler Nupp. The Newfane native has been snowboarding since her childhood and grown up surrounded by the snow sports community. Now studying illustration at the University of Hartford, her design is inspired by the quirky energy snowboarders exude.
The event also includes the Ross Powers Texas Hold’Em Poker Tournament, a benefit for the Level Field Fund, which supports the belief that opportunities to pursue excellence in sport should not be limited by an athlete’s financial situation.
The weekend is for all ages and is the perfect mix of community and competition capped off by fireworks over the mountain on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. Over $20,000 of prize money will be distributed to winners. Competitive categories include pro, as well as amateur 13 and under, 14 to 18, and 19 and over. Each competitive event is $65 and registration for all disciplines is $220. Lift tickets are not included in the registration price and can be purchased for $10. Season pass holders do not need to purchase lift tickets.
About Stratton Mountain Resort: Nestled in the Green Mountains, Stratton Mountain is southern Vermont’s highest peak and boasts 99 trails, and 670 skiable acres. As the birthplace of snowboarding, Stratton Mountain is known for its pristine grooming, snowmaking, and welcoming generations of skiers and riders. With events like the Vermont Open, a celebration of snowboarding, and a world-class musical lineup all year long, Stratton is more than a mountain resort, it’s a year round destination. Just a 4-hour drive from New York City, less than 3 hours from Boston and less than 2 hours from Albany, NY, Stratton is part of the Alterra Mountain Company.
Source: STRATTON MOUNTAIN, VT – 2.20.2019