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EDEN, Weber County — Powder Mountain Resort is hosting a new snowboarding contest Saturday that is free and open to the first 100 people to register.
The Burton Qualifiers, the new traveling contest series, includes seven stops throughout North America and is open to the general public. The top snowboarder from Saturday's local event will win $100 and the opportunity to advance to the finals at Seven Springs Resort in Pennsylvania, according to Powder Mountain Resort marketing coordinator JP Goulet.
The contest is open to the first 100 snowboarders who register Saturday morning at the event. Registration for the event will be held at Hidden Lake Lodge at Powder Mountain Resort from 9-11 a.m. The event is free to participate in with a valid lift ticket, Goulet said. Participants can register in either the open division or the 15 and under divisions.
During the Burton Qualifiers, each rider will be given an hour to impress the judges who will score based on style and trick execution. The top three riders in each division will be awarded a cash prize, and the top six overall snowboarders will also earn a spot to compete at the finals at Pennsylvania's Seven Springs Resort. From there, participants will have a chance to advance to the world event in Japan to compete for $10,000.
Although the resort offers two terrain parks featuring rails and jumps, Powder Mountain will have a unique course built for Saturday's event. The resort also has some new features and amenities that skiers and snowboarders can check out this season.
Powder Mountain opened in 1974 and now offers seven ski lifts that offer access to 7,200 skiable acres.
The resort recently opened a new run for the season located next to the Hidden Lake Terrain Park.
"It's a fun area for families to go in there and race each other," Goulet said.
Also new this season is an added dining option located at the bottom of the mountain. The North Fork Table and Tavern uses a wood-fired oven to cook pizza and offers a full bar. It is the fourth restaurant at Powder Mountain.
The resort was established with a unique inverted setup where people park at the top of the mountain and ski or snowboard down, then ride the lift back up, Goulet said. As a result of its unique setup, Powder Mountain offers more access to black diamond powder runs that are serviced by a shuttle. The resort doesn't artificially make any snow and boasts 100 percent natural snow on the mountain.
"It just skis a lot better, and you never get ice," Goulet said. "It's a lot softer and easier to learn on."
The resort is probably most well-known for its adventure skiing, Goulet said. Because the resort is privately owned and operated, it has access to 15,000 acres in the area and guides offer full-day ski tours around the mountain. There are also a variety of multi-use trails for fat biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and hiking. The resort often hosts the national fat biking championships.
Powder Mountain doesn't offer any lodging at the resort, but has a variety of rentals located within 4 miles of the mountain. The rentals range from two-bedroom condos to 10-bedroom homes.
Hours: Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Price: An adult lift ticket is $73 for a full day and $25 for night skiing from 3-9 p.m. A children's lift ticket is $41 for a full day and $21 for night skiing. Deals are often available on the resort website for locals, families and ladies night.
Location: 6965 E. Powder Mountain Road (Highway 158), Eden
