T-minus 22 days until the US Open, and counting. Were you lucky enough to score yourself a spot in the lottery, or were you one of the many that missed out? If it’s the latter, don’t fret; NS is here to save the day with two last chances to gain entrance into the event that has catapulted many-a-pro skiers to superstardom.

First, starting Monday, January 7, 2008 we’re proud and extremely excited to announce the launch of the first ever Broadband UberOpen. In this one-of-a-kind online contest, anyone and everyone has the chance to compete, regardless of who you are or where you are. This is an online-slopestyle where we give you a list of features, in order, and you compile a video of your best tricks on each to form one full run. The top three spots will be voted on by you, our loyal members and readers. That’s right, it’s up to you who goes to the Open. Not us, or a panel of judges…you. Once the votes have come in and been tallied, the top three entries will score themselves a spot in the US Open, simple as that.

For those of you that are a little more geographically flexible and would like a chance to strut your stuff as a warm-up to the big show, NS is also proud to announce the 2nd annual Colorado Conquest at Echo Mountain, Colorado on Saturday, January 19th. The event will be a jam format slopestyle contest with the top three skiers qualifying for the Open a week and a half later at Copper, and if last year’s event was any indication, it will be one hell of a good time.

“Last year’s contest was a blast,” says Doug Bishop. “We like to embody the ideal that skiing should be a fun time for all, and not over-structured into the little box that some feel it should be. This contest has such a loose format that it feels more like lapping with your friends than competing for spots to the biggest open contest in our sport! Sure finals get a bit stressful, but at some point in the day we’ve got to choose a winner. Echo is a really fun mountain with a good vibe, so even if you’re not going to win you’ll at least have a fun time riding the park with all of your fellow NS’ers. We’re all about good vibes, good times and people doing what they want here at NS. So if you’re a stylish rider who just likes to express themselves in their tricks you’ve still got a chance. We judge you on your performance throughout the day, not on one single run. You can still make it to finals with a couple of biffs and be good to go. Come hang at Echo for the day, you’ll have a blast I can guarantee it!”

Doug will be in attendance as the grand master of ceremonies again this year and there’ll be a rockin afterparty at Cactus Jack’s Saloon. It’s $15 to enter and there’s lodging packages arranged at the Quality Suites nearby.

So there you have it, NS brings you the last two chances to grab yourself a spot to the Open, an event where the young and hungry go head-to-head with the best of the best and have a chance to step into skiing’s biggest spotlight. Don’t miss out!