The Burton Blog

Photo Review: A Behind The Scenes Look At One World's Night-Pipe

You've never seen the US Open pipe like this before...

36 hours after the crowds, competition, and celebrations that is the US Open, a select few Burton Team Riders took to the iconic halfpipe for a session unparalleled to any competition.

It's hard to beat a sunny pipe final at the Open, but the Burton Crew set out to match the energy when they dropped into the same pipe just 36 hours after the final event of the 2020 US Open.

If you have attended the US Open, you know that the competition transforms Vail from a quintessential ski town to a festival-style take over of the snowboarding community. Alongside the spectators and athletes brought in by the Open are some of the best media professionals in the industry. With so many of the industry's-best photographers in one place, it only made sense to extend their stay and invite them on-hill for the chance to capture some of the best riders in the world under the lights.

               
  • The crew moved from a sunny slope course, to a snowy pipe under the moon-light.

    The crew moved from a sunny slope course, to a snowy pipe under the moon-light.

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  • The US Open really takes over every corner of Vail.

    The US Open really takes over every corner of Vail.

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  • Like we said, It's hard to beat a sunny final at the Open.

    Like we said, It's hard to beat a sunny final at the Open.

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to this, in a matter of hours.
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The pipe changed from this,

Two days prior to the shoot, riders were standing at the top of the very same pipe, surrounded by TV cameras, judges and fans. Lighting up the pipe for this session allowed riders to steer away from runs that yield the most points in the eyes of judges and focus on expressing their snowboarding through their personal style and favorite tricks.

This collection of images from this session make it clear that style was prioritized over contest points.

Photos From Aaron Blatt:

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Christian Haller started out the session with a classic.
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Raibu was away from the pipe for the winter due to a shoulder injury. Looks like his recovery went well.

Who did it better?

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Terje and Ben.
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Danny and Brock.
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Day or Night - Danny Davis is no stranger to this pipe

Photos From Gabe L'Heureux:

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Christian Haller didn't compete in this years Open, but that didn't stop him from making his mark on the pipe.
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After so much time in the backcountry, Ben Ferguson felt right at home in the snowy pipe
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Hitch is from Stitzerland, so he can grab outside the bindings on Methods.
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This was Kelly Clark's first full year retired from contest riding...
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... clearly she's still got it.
               
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Photos from Peter Cirilli:

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Kelly, Danny & Ben planning their lines.
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anything for the shot...
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One hand up, one hand down.

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