Weekly Planner: Burton US Open Edition
Chloe Kim takes to the sky as she looks to defend her halfpipe win from last year in this year's Burton US Open.
Image: Peter Cirilli
There's a lot going down (and up, and around and around) this week on Golden Peak -- Vail Mountain's spot for all things Burton US Open -- well, at least the competitive side of the event schedule for one of the snowboarding world's biggest competitions. Even if snowboarding isn't your thing, it's well-worth checking out this week's event, as some of the sport's biggest names come to town in what's billed as the last major showdown for competitors before the 2018 Olympics in South Korea. Whether you'll be in town all weekend-long, or you're just here for a day, there's much to see and do, so make sure you've got your game plan ready to catch all the high-flying fun and late-night parties.
High flying action in the halfpipe.
Image: Dave Lehl
Wednesday, March 1
Burton US Open Competition Schedule, Golden Peak, Vail Mountain
Women's Slopestyle Semi Finals: 9 a.m. practice run, 10 a.m. competition.
Men's Slopestyle Semi Finals: 11:10 a.m. practice, 12:30 p.m. competition.
Halfpipe practice from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Afterparty Schedule
US Open Broomball Tournament
4 - 7 p.m., Solaris Ice Rink, Vail Village
Teams battle it out on the ice rink at the Solaris complex in Vail Village for bragging rights as the US Open Broomball Champion. Don't be fooled, while this might seem like a lighthearted event in the spirit of the US Open, the competition is fierce, and visiting teams from around the state often show up to hit the ice alongside locals.
The Record Company and Oyster Kids
7 - 9:30 p.m., Solaris Concert Stage, Vail Village
The first of the US Open's lineup of free concerts, The Record Company kicks things off with their bluesy-rock sound, and are joined by the chilled-out-indie-vibes of the Oyster Kids.
Junior Jam Awards
7:15 - 7:45 p.m., Solaris Concert Stage, Vail Village
The next generation of high-flying snowboarding stars collect their bling from Tuesday's Junior Jam on the Golden Peak course during the Wednesday evening concert.
Chill Party and Fundraiser
8:30 p.m., Bo Bridges Gallery, Vail Village
Noted action-sports photographer Bo Bridges hosts the Chill Foundation at his Vail Village gallery to raise funds for the organization, and celebrate the event. The Chill Foundation works with social service and mental health agencies, foster care and juvenile justice programs, and schools to empower local kids through boardsports, and was started by the founders of Burton Snowboards -- not a bad reason to party.
Anna Gasser at Monday's slopestyle practice.
Image: Burton US Open
Thursday, March 2
Burton US Open Competition Schedule, Golden Peak, Vail Mountain
Women’s Halfpipe Semi Finals: 9 a.m. practice, 10 a.m. competition.
Men’s Halfpipe Semi Finals: 11:10 a.m. practice, 12:30 p.m. competition.
Slopestyle practice from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Afterparty Schedule
US Open Broomball Tournament
4 - 7 p.m., Solaris Ice Rink, Vail Village
Broomball teams hit the ice for the finals of the US Open tournament, where one team will come out on top.
Twiddle
7 - 9:30 p.m., Solaris Concert Stage, Vail Village
Vermont-based Twiddle performs for the US Open's second night of free concerts, with a jam-band sound that takes inspiration from rock, blues, reggae, and funky beats.
Don't Miss It
Jamie Anderson, Stale Sandbech, and Sven Thorgren will all be on hand to sign autographs at the Oakley store in Vail Village starting at 5 p.m. (970-331-0839 for details).
Halfpipe action at the Burton US Open.
Image: Dave Lehl
Friday, March 3
Burton US Open Competition Schedule, Golden Peak, Vail Mountain
Women’s Slopestyle Finals: 10 a.m. practice, 11:10 a.m. competition.
Men’s Slopestyle Finals: 12:45 p.m. practice, 2 p.m. competition.
Halfpipe practice from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Afterparty Schedule
Gramatik and Lizzo
6 - 9:30 p.m., Solaris Concert Stage, Vail Village
World-renowned electronic artist Gramatik headlines Friday's free show at Solaris with Lizzo, a soul/hip hop influenced power vocalist whose sound is sure to shake the venue.
Pacifico Afterparty
8:30 p.m., Bol, Solaris, Vail Village
Event sponsor Pacifico takes the party into the wee hours at Bol, home of Vail Village's signature dancefloor. Tickets are a must, as DJ Naka G with DJ Shake One will be on hand to provide the beats late into the evening.
Don't Miss It
Burton Girls Ride and Après at the Sponsor Village at the base of Golden Peak (check out the Burton Girls Ride tent for details); autograph session with Chloe Kim and a special guest at the Burton store in Lionshead (contact Burton in Lionshead for details, 970-477-5741).
Competitors hit the slopestyle course on Golden Peak.
Image: Burton US Open
Saturday, March 4
Burton US Open Competition Schedule, Golden Peak, Vail Mountain
Women’s Halfpipe Finals: 10 a.m. practice, 11:10 a.m. competition.
Men’s Halfpipe Finals: 12:45 p.m. practice, 2 p.m. competition.
Afterparty Schedule
Keys and Krates, Skratch Bastid, and Xavier Omär
6 - 9:30 p.m., Solaris Concert Stage, Vail Village
The final evening of free concerts closes with an electronic medley of DJs, all spinning danceable beats for what promises to pack the plaza.
US Open Closing Party with D.R.A.M, Four Color Zack, and Air Credits
9.30 p.m. to 1 a.m., Dobson Ice Arena
The competition (and Solaris concert) is over, it's Saturday night, and Dobson Ice Arena plays host to the biggest afterparty for athletes and attendees to the Burton US Open's multi-day Vail takeover. The event is free to the public, but tickets are a must to guarantee entry. Both Burton stores (Lionshead Village and Vail Village) and the US Open Pop Up store in Vail Village will have tickets on a first-come, first-served basis.
Don't Miss It
Burton Team riders sign autographs at the Burton Pop-up Store in Sponsor Village (check out the happenings around Sponsor Village for details).
Week-long Happenings
All-Day Après Parties
Wednesday, March 1 to Saturday, March 4 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day
If catching the competition slope-side isn't in the cards (you can walk up to the event on Golden Peak, the following venues around Vail Village and Lionshead will be hosting all-day après and viewing parties, with commentary and live video feeds from the halfpipe: Solaris Plaza, Vail Village; Larkspur, Golden Peak, 970-754-8050; The Red Lion, Vail Village, 970-476-7676; Garfinkel's, Lionshead, 970-476-3789; Pazzo's Pizza, Vail Village, 970-476-9026.
Riglet Park
Thursday (by appointment only), Friday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, Children's Snow School, Golden Peak
Think you might have birthed the next Shaun White or Kelly Clark? Take your little ones to Riglet Park, Burton's custom pint-sized program for ages 3 to 6 that gets kids familiar with standing -- and sliding --sideways. Burton demos and certified instructors will all be on hand to mold your little athletes into Olympic-hopefuls, free of charge.
For more information on when and where all of the above will be happening over the next few days, check out the official event website online.
