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SAM Magazine—Vail, Colo., July 31, 2012—Burton Snowboards is moving the Burton US Open Snowboarding Championships to Vail, where it will take place Feb. 25 to Mar. 2, 2013. The move is aimed at continuing the progression of the event. The US Open had been held at Stratton, Vt., for the past 27 years.

SAM Magazine—Vail, Colo., July 31, 2012—Burton Snowboards is moving the Burton US Open Snowboarding Championships to Vail, where it will take place Feb. 25 to Mar. 2, 2013. The move is aimed at continuing the progression of the event. The US Open had been held at Stratton, Vt., for the past 27 years.

The US Open, which first took place in 1982, is the longest-running snowboarding competition in the world. The move to Vail, and to Golden Peak in particular, will allow the event to expand on its festival aspects, including free live music concerts for spectators and riders alike. In addition, Vail hopes to secure final U.S. Forest Service approvals to relocate Vail's halfpipe to a more favorable position closer to the base of Golden Peak, with ample room for thousands of spectators. Snow Park Technologies will build the slopestyle course and 22-foot halfpipe.

Burton pro rider Kelly Clark, who spent time last week touring the new site, said, “The US Open is one of my favorite events by far, and I couldn't be more excited about its next evolution.” The five-time US Open halfpipe champ and three-time Olympian from West Dover, Vt., added, “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 the riders and the thousands of fans who come out to watch.”

“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.

“I just want to thank Stratton Mountain in Vermont where the US Open took place for so long,” said Burton founder Jake Burton. “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.”

In a statement, Stratton Sky Foulkes said, “While we are disappointed, we respect their decision and wish them the very best as they embark on the next evolution of the US Open. We are honored to have hosted the event for the past 27 years, and for the opportunity to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Open with them this past season.”