The Inaugural Vermont Open
The kids taking pictures with cell phones are the only thing that makes it clear this classic method from Ross Powers isn’t from 1997.
As soon as Stratton got word Burton had chosen to move the US Open to Vail, they made a call to the only man who could help: Stevie Hayes. The old-school-Burton-pro-turned-Hayes-Brothers-Snowboards founder had been putting on the Washed Up Cup for the past few seasons, and US Open or no, Stratton wanted the event to continue.
Fast forward to March 14th-17th, 2013, when the first annual Vermont Open was set on Suntanner — the same trail that hosted the original race events, as well as the halfpipe before it was shunned to Sunbowl. I can honestly say that after a season of going to events of all shapes and sizes, this was one of a kind. The prize money was provided by local families and businesses — no energy drinks or corporations to be found (unless you count Stratton, who matched the 10k raised.) The field included everyone from the local Olympic gold medalist to kids barely old enough to walk. Unlike the event it replaced, it was a contest for the snowboarders in it, rather than the people watching on network TV.
A snurfer race hosted by Paul Graves? Yeah, that happened, and local legend Jerry Tucker was one those brave enough to partake.
For the old people in attendance, many now with children of their own, the VT Open was a true blast from the past, right down to a 12-foot half pipe and 40-foot “big air” jump. However, for those who were not old enough to remember a time before events with credentials and TV cameras, the nostalgia didn’t quite make up for the lack of organization, which caused things such as Saturday’s big air dragging on long after the lifts closed and the light went flat. Yes, things could have gone smoother, but for a first effort that involved just about every facet of snowboarding crammed into three short days, we have to give Steve and Stratton an A for effort.
The Washed Up Cup happened went down Sunday, and no, there weren’t any bag checks.
With the inaugural Carinthia Open, Near Canada Open and this event now in the books, it’s pretty clear that the US Open moving to Vail may just be the best thing to happen to the East Coast snowboard scene in 30 years or so. And if you don’t agree, you don’t have to come here.
Watching rail jockeys attempting to ride an icy pipe was quite entertaining. Zack Wilmot figured it out.
No triple corks allowed. Luke Bonang tweaks out a straight air instead.
Mary Rand and Shaun Murphy pretending to like each other.
Ross and the youngest powers. His eldest daughter Victoria won her division in the halfpipe comp.
The East’s best coaches: Andrew Mutty and Aaron Diamond.
Speaking of Southern Vermont, the dudes from Mt. Snow made the trek north.
Attending the 1st VT Open was basically like inventing a time machine and the traveling back to a simpler time.
The Snurfer race got serious. (Note: the 3rd from the right was taken off the wall at the Green Door, literally.)
This is NOT as easy as it looks.
The boards are at least 4 times older than their riders.
Big air contests need more backside 180 methods.
The best part of this contest was no complex math was needed to understand the tricks being thrown.
Mellow tail grab over Bromley.
If you entered one event, you entered them all. Turns out, Ross Powers can do methods off jumps too!
The Washed Up Cup marked the 400th banked slalom of 2013. This was about one quarter of the course, which was about as gnar as things get at Stratton.
That gate never saw it coming.
The gauntlet was in effect, but it was actually just Zack Wilmot and Timmy Sullivan, and they got bored after wasting a couple beers.
This crash may have been due to the glare ice, or the fact he was being showered by beer. The world may never know.
It was St. Patrick’s Day and don’t worry, Timmy Sullivan was letting ’em know. Zack, on the other hand, is not at all Irish.
It wasn’t that icy. Look at all that loose snow spray!
This guy didn’t get the memo that there’s no air in slaloms.
And in conclusion, beers, friends, and good times. Let’s keep it that way for at least the next 15 years or so.
Wilmot must have wasted a lot of beer trying to get the shot
Makes me wish I went to Vermont this weekend. This looks fun as hell..the way it should be!
yeah tucker!! go big or go die!
And in conclusion, beers, friends, a good times. Let’s keep it that way for at least the next 15 years or so. <– YUT – so much soul and so much fun this weekend
how did you manage to get a photo of jerry?
New England has the best snowboard scene. end of story
“No energy drinks or corporations to be found”? I see an awful lot of redbull branding in these photos.
the kid in the black and yellow won the banked slalom without highbacks
i don’t know what was worse in that edit: the riding, the editing, the music, or the filming. vermont, you can keep this one