No place like New England for spring snowboarding

By Matt Boxler

For top snowboarding professionals and the rest of us who aren’t quite as talented, there’s no place like New England come spring. Whether you’re competing for a $100,000 cash prize or for an open deck chair on which to bask in the sun, there’s no better place to be once the calendar flips to March.

Just like each of the 26 years before this one, the biggest spring snowboarding event of all takes place once again at Stratton Mountain. The 27^th Annual US Open Snowboarding Championships brings the world’s best to compete in halfpipe and slopestyle.

Stratton marks the final stop of the Burton Global Open Series, where the top male and female riders in the events held year-round and in six different countries will be awarded $100,000 each. It’s also the last stop on the men’s TTR (Ticket to Ride) World Snowboard Tour, where the top male will be awarded the TTR world title, along with another hefty check.

Athletes will begin their practices for US Open events on Monday. Preliminaries begin Tuesday and the finals are scheduled to be held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. All events are free to the public to view.

Killington – Grand Prix

Put 100 of the world’s top snowboarders together with $130,000 in cash and prizes – and you’ve got quite a competition on your hands. Not to worry, the resulting halfpipe and slopestyle battles are free for spectators when Killington hosts the U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix on March 14-15.

This is the second year in a row that Killington has hosted the final stop on the Grand Prix circuit, in which cash and prizes have totaled more than $300,000 this season. Killington’s event at Bear Mountain will feature the resort’s 430-foot-long, 22-foot-high superpipe competition on Saturday, followed by the Paul Mitchell Progression Session Slopestyle on Sunday.

In addition to the event winners, the overall Grand Prix champions will be crowned at the end of the competition. Last year, Vermont native Kelly Clark won her fourth Grand Prix title.

There are many other spring snowboarding events in New England worth checking out. Among them:

Sugarloaf - Revolution

“You say you want a revolution ...? Then mark your calendar for March 9-11, when the U.S. Snowboarding 2009 Revolution Tour makes its final stop at Sugarloaf. The Revolution Tour is one of the nation’s top junior events and has already made stops at Copper, Boreal and Mt. Hood.

The tour features competitions in halfpipe, slopestyle and snowboardcross.

Sunday River – No Bib Jib

Put together a team of four, show up at South Ridge on Sunday, March 22 and you’re in. Sunday River’s final No Bib Jib of the season is a single rail event with plenty of winners, plenty of special prizes and plenty of everything else you expect to find in a spring competition.

Okemo – Ross Powers Camp

If you’re looking to squeeze in some late-season improvement into your riding, the Ross Powers Snowboard Camp is for you. The two-time Olympic medalist and his pro instructors from across the country will coach you up at his home mountain, Okemo, on March 23-25.

The three-day camp is open to intermediate and advanced riders who are at least 10 or older. Proceeds from the $499 enrollment fee will benefit the Ross Powers Foundation, a non-profit foundation for athletes with financial need.

Powers will host a one-day camp earlier in the month, March 7, at Mount Sunapee. Contact the resort for more information about cost and registration.

Loon - Last Call

Riders from across New England will flock to Loon on Wednesday, March 25, to compete in a giant rail jam and huck fest with 5,000 in cash and other prizes up for grabs. Now in its ninth year, this Eastern Boarder event has always been a favorite for both spectators and competitors.

Loon – Droppin’ In Women’s Camp

Calling all women. On Saturday-Sunday, March 28-29, Loon Mountain will host the Droppin’ In Women’s Camp for experienced riders aged 13 and up. The two-day camp costs $198, which will include two days of lift access, lunch, free gear, personal video review and top-tier coaching. Season pass holders get a $20 discount. Reservations are required.

Wachusett – Crunk Cash

Whether you’re an amateur aiming for a cool prize, or a professional looking to win some cash, Wachusett Mountain’s Crunk Cash Comp on Saturday, March 28 has what you’re looking for. This end-of-season competition will be held on the Look Mom trail/terrain park, where riders and skiers alike are invited to “go big” or “go home.”

Cranmore – Cranarchy!

After the final Cranaoalooza of the season, after the Spring Splash, after every other event on the Cranmore calendar ... there is still Cranarchy. Loyal constituents of the Darkside Terrain Park will have the final word of the season when the resort hosts a rail jam and barbecue beginning at noon on Sunday, March 29. Rest assured, it’s never too late to go to the Darkside.

Stowe – Last Trick

If you feel like stretching every last conceivable day out of the 2008-2009 season, then pack the car for Stowe on Saturday, May 23 for the fourth annual Last Trick Rail Jam.

Make it a Memorial Day weekend to remember by signing up for this free jam session, which will take place on a huge pile of snow formerly known as the Stowe halfpipe. The park crew will rearrange all the rails, boxes and jumps for one last hurrah down the Main Street trail.

Huckers, jibbers – anyone who enjoys piles of sun-drenched snow in the mountains – should check it out. There’s no charge and plenty of music, food, beverages, beach chairs and giveaways.