Snowboard market leader Burton and the well-known Swiss winter-resort Laax recently established a long-term partnership for the Burton European Open, Europe’s premier snowboard event that attracts more than 400 riders. Formerly held in Austria or Italy, the Burton European Open will now take place from January 15-22, 2005 at Laax, Switzerland, one of Europe’s most progressive resorts for snowboarders. The three-year partnership sets a new standard within the European snowboard event scene and focuses on taking snowboard events to new levels.

Part of the Ticket to Ride Tour (TTR), the European Open is a key event for the world’s top riders. Legend Terje Haakonsen (NOR), current Burton European Open title-holders Doriane Vidal (FRA) and Heikki Sorsa (FIN) and Olympic Champion Ross Powers (USA) all plan to attend the Burton European Open. Progressive riders like Kjersti Buaas (NOR), Romain de Marchi (SUI), Giacomo Kratter (ITA), Gigi Rüf (AUT) and Jussi Oksanen (FIN) also plan to be there. And the Swiss trio from the Burton Team, Anne-Flore Marxer, Nicolas Müller and Frederik Kalbermatten, have all marked the event down on their calendars.

The European Open is not just about the world’s top pro riders, it is also a truly open event that gives up-and-coming amateur riders a chance to compete for a world-class snowboard title. With a strong balance between junior, women’s and men’s events, the European Open invites all riders to take part in the event qualification rounds for a chance to make it to the finals. Riders give input on all aspects of the Burton European Open, from contest formats and course design to judging regulations.

An action-packed week is guaranteed at the Burton European Open, with halfpipe and slopestyle finals planned for January 21st and 22nd and a full entertainment program at the riders’ palace with music line-ups, video sessions and live acts. Don’t miss your chance to see the world’s best riders compete at Europe’s biggest snowboard event, the Burton European Open.