Wanaka, New Zealand (Thursday, May 29, 2003) - Cardrona Alpine Resort's 2003 calendar of events features some exciting new additions for 2003 as well as a number of high profile established events.

The inaugural Burton New Zealand Open (July 26-27) promises to be one of the highlights of the southern hemisphere’s snowboarding calendar. Attracting the top 30 male and top 10 female riders based on world rankings, this event promises to be an inspirational showcase for today’s snowboarding talent. Its open format will see these international seniors compete in the Johnny superpipe for approximately NZ$6000 in cash prizes. Registrations close on July 1st.

Another first is the four-week Cadbury Moro Street Jib Series that kicks off on July 30 in Queenstown and July 31 in Wanaka. Mix truckloads of snow from Cardrona deposited in the center of town with a selection of fine rails and cranking tunes and you’ve got a great evening of fun and entertainment for riders and spectators alike.

The weekend of August 9-10 sees skiers with nerves of steel tackle the Supersport Challenge featuring a high-speed extreme downhill, luge and knee trembling mountain climb. Some of these speed fiends are back on August 23-24 for the skier-x and half pipe events of the New Zealand Freeskiing Championships.

On August 18-19 the boys in blue return for the annual New Zealand Police Snowboarding Championships as policemen and women from throughout the country leave the criminals behind for couple of days to battle against each other instead.

The country’s best snowboarders congregate at Cardrona for four days of competition at the New Zealand Snowboard Nationals starting on September 4. Riders of all ages will be competing of the ultimate title of National Champion in the giant slalom, boarder-x, slopestyle and halfpipe disciplines.

Aside from Cardrona’s on-mountain events, the Wanakafest will be held from September 6-13. This town festival will see numerous activities and celebrations involving the community and visitors alike, and will be a big drawing card to the area.