BURLINGTON, Vt. -
For nearly three decades, a small southern Vermont town with one big mountain hosted an event for the world's best snowboarders, but the championships will now be held 2,000 miles away.
Moving the Burton Snowboard Championships is bittersweet. Some people say it demonstrates continued growth for the Vermont based company, but others are sad to see the event that draws thousands to Stratton Vermont, relocated to Vail, Colorado.
"There are very few Wimbledon's in the world where nothing changes," Ski Rack co-owner Zandy Wheeler said.
The Burton U.S. Open Snowboarding Championships is not one of them, the event has drawn thousands of riders and spectators to Stratton Mountain for 27 years, but come February 2013, the world's best snowboarders will compete in Vail, Colorado.
"The roots of snowboarding run deep here in Stratton, the sport of snowboarding, the U.S. Open, so we're saddened by the decision to move away from Stratton, but I feel very proud of the role that Stratton and Vermont have played in hosting the open," Myra Foster of Stratton Mountain said.
When Stratton Mountain hosted the 30th annual event in March, people here didn't know it would be for the last time.
"We will certainly miss the open but look forward to considering other opportunities for events," Foster said.
How much of an economic impact the move will have on Vermont is unknown, but nearby Chambers of Commerce I talked to, say it will no doubt make a difference.
As for local business owners, they say that they understand the need for change and believe that overall this move will still be good for Vermont.
"We want to grow the industry, we want to make sure Burton stays healthy and dynamic," Wheeler said.
Vail Mountain is known as the largest ski resort in the U.S. The owner and CEO of Burton Jake Burton said, "I have no doubt that the U.S. Open at Vail will only grow in its legacy as the premier rider-driven event in the world."
"This is normal and Vermont needs to come up with our next opportunity," Foster said.
The Championships will run from February 25th to March 2nd, 2013.
