Aspen's The Site Of Open Competition Feb. 6-8

It's not quite up to the level of competition of the X Games, but the Aspen/Snowmass Open in early February does take place on the X Games venues.

Call it X Games Junior.

Buttermilk has been the site of the Open each year for the past three winters. It's a competition that gives young up-and-coming skiers and snowboarders a unique opportunity to get some much-needed props.

The event, which has a prize purse of $50,000, will be a slopestyle and superpipe competition. Among the various disciplines are men's ski slopestyle and superpipe ($200 registration fee), men's ski slopestyle ($125), men's ski superpipe ($100), women's ski slopestyle and superpipe ($125), women's ski slopestyle ($75), women's ski superpipe ($75), men's snowboard slopestyle and superpipe ($200), men's snowboard slopestyle ($125) and men's snowboard superpipe ($100), women's snowboard slopestyle and superpipe ($125), women's snowboard slopestyle ($74) and women's snowboard superpipe ($75).

Training takes place Feb. 3-4, with qualifying beginning on Feb. 5. The finals in all events are spread over the weekend of Feb. 6-8.

Interested competitors should e-mail tsalemme@aspensnowmass.com for details.There are also discounted lodging deals for competitors. Contact Resort Quest and ask for rates and availability specific to the Aspen/Snowmass Open.