Snowy Laax
It was possibly an unlucky decision that the 13th Burton European Open should be postponed – it was taken in early December when there had been almost no snowfall in the Alps and the organizers feared then there would not be enough to build the pipe and other elements required for the contest. The Open is normally staged in January each year.
With one of the snowiest Decembers and Januarys ever to follow, how wrong they were, but still the decision had been made and the Swiss resort of Laax is now gearing up for the revised dates for the event in a little over three week's time from 25th February - 3rd March 2012
The contest, one of the biggest in the Alps, brings together 400 amateur and pro snowboarders and it'll be the eight successive year it's been staged in Laax, which has built a reputation for itself for freestyle and boarders, with several world class terrain parks, an indoor Freestyle Academy training hall, and also host to our own BRITS national championships and festival later in the season.
The best snowboarders in the world will be in town, a list that currently includes Mark McMorris, Jamie Anderson and Kelly Clark competing on the slopes of Crap Soin Gion in disciplines including Halfpipe and Slopestyle with prize money worth over £80,000 to be won.
It's a fun week for all involved with amateurs down to junior level competing alongside their heroes and the local restaurants and bars putting on an array of side events.
Equally, visitors can hit the slopes between watching events and try out one of the resort's four snow parks and Europe's biggest half pipe.
Friday 2nd March will see the Riders Palace Lounge transformed into a Space themed party venue and artists Trouble Andrew and Reptile Youth will give live performances at the Open's finale on closing day.