Inside Look at the Vermont Open

Strap in and get ready for the Vermont Open. It’s music, snowboarding, competitions, parties all rolled into one with a $20,000 dollar prize is on the line for the top riders.

You might have noticed (and ridden) the competition site on Suntanner. The halfpipe and quarterpipes are cut, the the banked slalom is ready, and the rails are laid out! In case you haven’t swung through it yet, here’s a quick rundown from the Parks Crew.

On skiers’ right, the 13 foot high, 200 foot long mini pipe. Why a “mini”-pipe? When our local “legends” were riding the pro circuit in the ‘90s (these are our event organizers, including Steve Hayes and Ross Powers), a 13-footer was a standard size halfpipe. Using a mini-pipe for the VTO seems fitting from its evolution out of the Washed Up Cup and snowboarding’s history. Rumor has it that Ross Powers will be competing at this year’s Vermont Open.

The banked slalom, aka Washed Up Cup, is another blast from the past of snowboarding. Ours will utilize the side of the halfpipe as a transition going down skiers’ left side of Suntanner. Another homage to the early days – a Snurfer Challenge straight down the middle of the halfpipe. 




Below the pipe we have the big air venue – a jump two takeoffs, a smaller, poppier one on skiers’ left and one on skiers’ right, about 10-15 feet bigger. The big air competition will end with a finishing hit on the 13’ quarter pipe.

Next is the rail jam sit, with a down flat down rail and box, a down rail, A-frame rail, and never-before-seen volcano pole feature that will make for some interesting tricks!

Come watch, come jam, come party. You can register for the whole event (all 5 events, food and parties for $135) or just hit the rail jam ($50 for Friday night’s jam). Either way, it’s free to watch, listen to music and get down. 

Vermont Open Music and Competition Schedule (see all details) 
Thurs, March 14: 
 VTO Kick-off Party with DJ Nook and Kranny, Green Door Pub, 10 pm. 

Fri, March 15: 
Vermont Open Rail Jam, 5 – 7 pm. 
Barry and the Penetrators at Grizzly’s, 3-6 pm.
Ross Powers Poker Tournament, 7 pm – midnight. 

Sat, March 16: 
Halfpipe, Snurfer Challenge, Big Air & Quarterpipe, starting at 2 pm. 
Music on the Outdoor Stage, all day. Gold Town, Barry and the Penetrators, The Boardlords. 
“Greatest Apres Bar” Party with Rome Snowboards and Transworld Snowboarding featuring Gold Town, GDP, 10 pm. 
DJ Joe Bell spins at Grizzly’s, starting at 9:30 pm. 

Sun, March 17 
Washed Up Cup (banked slalom), 12:30 pm. 
Brett Nelson and Friends live at Grizzly’s, 2 – 5 pm. 
St. Patty’s Day Party with DJ Nook and Kranny at Green Door Pub, 4 – 9 pm.