Going to the
US Open 2006 - March 17 - March 19
Q. Hey Lauren!! I just bookmarked your sight as I am new to this sport but
got sucked in big time. My family and I are thinking of seeing the sport
live at Stratton for the US Open in March and are looking for some info on
the event. We live about an hour away.
We know it gets crowded but were wondering about the event itself. Any info
would be helpful.
How is viewing for the event? Can you see the half pipe from the base? Can
you climb up the side of the pipe to watch from above?
Thanks for your help.
Gregg,
Feb. 2006
*************A.
Hi Gregg,
It is a LOT of fun to go to the US Open to see snowboarding!
It's held at the Sunbowl, not the main part of Stratton Mountain, in
Vermont.
Viewing is best near the top or bottom of the pipe, and it's not bad in the
middle.
If you're buying a lift ticket, you can take the lift up and ride your board
to any point on the pipe, and move around, changing position. Make sure you
place your board topside down on the snow, securely so it doesn't become a
missile (I'm embarrassed to say mine DID once!) and keep an eye on your
board. It could disappear. (Of course you will have already registered it on
http://www.snowboardregistry.com/ - the Lost and Found of Snowboards.)
If you don't buy lift tickets, you'll be hiking up the hill to your spot. In
that case wear boots with lots of tread, or use crampons. Dress warm! |
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Here's a SnowboardSecret - If you can go and watch the halfpipe practices or
qualifiers on Wed, Thurs., or Friday before the main event Saturday, there
will be a lot less people around, and you might even end up riding the lift
with some of the competitors. That has happened to me and others I know.
Parking will be easier too and you can spend some time riding and the hill
won't be too crowded.
Don't forget the Quarterpipe Finals Friday night and the Slopestyle on
Sunday.
The Junior Jam on Sunday is also great to watch, and you can view it easily
from anywhere on the halfpipe - it's not crowded. That's where you can see
the athletes that will be competing in the top events in the next few years,
as they polish and develop their style.
Btw, you can read about who's who in Snowboarding at
http://www.snowboardprofiles.com/
And Gregg, you know there are TONS of fun snowboard events to attend all
season, besides the US Open. Over 200 East Coast Snowboard Events are listed
each year on
http://www.SnowboardEventsCalendar.com/
The US Open Snowboarding Championships schedule is
here:
Have a great time and thanks for writing!
Lauren
Editor, SnowboardSecrets.com
P.S. - One of my favorite moments of the US Open 2005 is pictured
here.
Danny Kass had just won his 4th US Open. It was the end of the day,
getting cold and dark. The crowd was scattering, and he graciously took the
time to meet with these fans and pose and sign autographs.
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