The Burton Global Open Series has announced the dates for its 2008/2009 international snowboard competition series, which will kick off in New Zealand this summer. Read on for the final dates and locations for all 2008/2009 Burton Global Open Series competitions…

Burton New Zealand Open: July 29 – August 2, 2008 @ Snow Park, New Zealand
Burton Australian Open: Sept 2-6, 2008 @ Perisher Blue, Australia
Burton Canadian Open: December 1-7, 2008 @ CODA’s Canada Olympic Park
Burton European Open: January 9-16, 2009 @ Laax, Switzerland
Nissan X-Trail Nippon Open: February 24 – March 1, 2009 @ ALTS Bandai, Japan
Burton US Open: March 16-22, 2009 @ Stratton Mountain, USA

Events are scheduled year-round and in six countries, with each event offering riders the chance to earn points which can ultimately win them the championship title and a whopping $100,000 – the largest single payout in snowboarding.

Last season’s BGOS series championship title was a nail-biter with four women and six men all in the running for the title at the US Open, the final BGOS competition of the season. Only a handful of points separated the top runners for the title, proving that competing and earning points at all six BGOS events can make all the difference.

Finland’s Peetu Piiroinen and top Australian snowboarder Torah Bright had to work hard to take home the 2008 titles last March at the US Open in Vermont. “I had tears coming down under my goggles. I just couldn’t believe that I could win the title twice. I’m really very happy,” said last season’s champ Torah Bright after bagging her second BGOS title and a tidy $100,000.

The all new BGOS website is launching this week and will include rider profiles, current BGOS standings and event results per rider. Riders can now also register for both the New Zealand Open and Australian Open by visiting the site.