Burton Mountain Festival comes to Northstar

Northstar California is set to host the Burton Mountain Festival this weekend, Feb. 3 - 5, 2012, the first year Burton has held a tour of this kind. The tour brings with it an array of FREE on mountain entertainment including demos, music, giveaways and contests. Emphasis on the free, seriously, there will be so much to do for absolutely no dollar. Here is more detail on what to expect:

Pro-Test Competition Series
Northstar has hosted some awesome competitions so far this season and the Burton Pro-Test is set to be equally as exciting. With $7,000 up for grabs, regional amateur snowboarders can participate in the Pro-Test competition and the Northstar location will feature a new very special slopestyle event run through The Stash. This competition is a qualifier to the U.S Open at Stratton Mountain, VT, for both genders in their respective disciplines. Under 18s must have parental permission to compete.

Riglet Park
Burton will provide kids as young as three with snowboards, boots and bindings for free to try out snowboarding in the Riglet Park. The equipment will be available from Friday - Sunday from 8.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Saturday Feb. 4, mini shredders, aged 6 or under, will be given the opportunity to compete in the 'Lil' Riglet Jam' to win prizes. Participants will be required to learn something new and to show off their skillz in the park to win prizes. Have fun lil' shredders.

Burton Test Ride
The kids won't be the only ones able to try out the Burton equipment for free. Riders will have the chance to try out boards, boots and bindings all weekend, with practically all the 2012 Burton hardgoods line available for a Test Ride. What a way to find and try out your complete snowboarding set-up.

Poker Run
On Saturday Feb. 4, 2012, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. all visitors to Northstar California can partake in a poker run. It is not a race so you don't have to run if you don't want to but it might increase the general excitement. Basically, the idea is you collect a card from each of the participating venues and turn your poker hand in at TC's Pub by 3.45 p.m. Awards will be given to the best and worst poker hand at 4 p.m. during the Burton Apres ski party. What fun.

So there it is, a teaser for the events happening this weekend at Northstar and what a weekend it sounds like it will be. For more information visit the Burton website or Northstar California website. You can also join the Burton Mountain festival page on Facebook or follow @SkiNorthstar on Twitter for regular updates on the mountain life.

Hope to see you up at Northstar soon.

-- Kate Thomas