Garmin, makers of some of the finest GPS devices known to man, has partnered with Burton Snowboards to be the official action camera sponsor of the 32nd Annual US Open of Snowboarding Championships (sorry GoPro).
“We are extremely excited to announce this partnership with Burton and be a part of such a prestigious snowboarding event,” said Jon Cassat, Garmin vice president of communications. “With the rugged housing, extended battery life, and the ability of VIRB Elite to capture GPS data like elevation, speed and G-force on the mountain, Garmin VIRB and VIRB Elite are the perfect HD action cameras for any snowboarder, and we’re eager to showcase them at the event.”
Not only that, thanks to the GPS the camera will automatically shut off while you’re riding up the lift and pop back on while you’re sliding down. How’s that for auto pilot? We haven’t tested the Virb cameras yet, but we’re looking forward to it. For the official word from Garmin, follow the jump.OLATHE, Kan.—Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, today announced a partnership with Burton Snowboards as the official action camera sponsor of the 32nd annual US Open Snowboarding Championships presented by MINI at the Vail Mountain in Vail, Colo., taking place March 3-8, 2014.
“We are extremely excited to announce this partnership with Burton and be a part of such a prestigious snowboarding event,” said Jon Cassat, Garmin vice president of communications. “With the rugged housing, extended battery life, and the ability of VIRB Elite to capture GPS data like elevation, speed and G-force on the mountain, Garmin VIRB and VIRB Elite are the perfect HD action cameras for any snowboarder, and we’re eager to showcase them at the event.”
During the competition, Garmin will have a tent set up in the Sponsor Village at the base of Golden Peak, right in the heart of Vail. The on-site Garmin team will be facilitating a “Try Before You Buy” program, where attendees can check out a VIRB Elite and take it out for a few runs on the slopes. When they return the camera to the tent, the Garmin team will upload the footage to a jump drive, so they can take their footage home with them, and share it with friends and family, or over social media.
The Garmin video team will be on-site capturing behind-the-scenes content like exclusive interviews with Burton athletes and serving it up on a custom site for this event: www.garmin.com/snowboarding, as well as the Garmin social media channels. Attendees will also be encouraged to share their own content using the hashtag #GarminVIRB to help populate the site, and provide a steady flow of content to fans and followers.
Garmin will be hosting daily giveaways over social media throughout the competition. Whether fans are at the event or following along at home, they can visit www.garmin.com/snowboarding for their backstage pass to see the exclusive footage and enter to win their own VIRB prize package that includes: a Garmin VIRB, VIRB Elite, mounts and a custom Burton snowboard.
With several snow-specific features, Garmin VIRB and VIRB Elite are the perfect action cameras for snowboarders. VIRB Elite is equipped with a built-in GPS, and has a dedicated ski/snowboard mode. In this mode, the camera can tell the difference between going up the lift and down the mountain, so the it will automatically turn to standby mode when going up the lift, and start recording when going down the mountain, so users won’t miss out on any action. VIRB Elite can also capture data such as elevation, distance, speed, G-force and heart rate (monitor required), which can then be embedded into the video with the free editing software, VIRB Edit. This data can also be embedded into VIRB footage when paired with a compatible handheld or wristwatch like the GPSMAP 64 or fēnix 2. Compatible Garmin devices can even act as a remote to control the camera.
This is the first year that Garmin is sponsoring the Burton US Open. For more information on VIRB and VIRB Elite action cameras, go to www.garmin.com/VIRB and www.facebook.com/garmin. Follow Garmin on twitter @garmin and #GarminVIRB. And for more information on the 2014 Burton US Open, follow the hashtag #BurtonUSOpen and head to www.Burton.com/USO.
About Garmin International Inc.
Garmin International Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation. Since 1989, this group of companies has designed, manufactured, marketed and sold navigation, communication and information devices and applications – most of which are enabled by GPS technology. Garmin’s products serve automotive, mobile, wireless, outdoor recreation, marine, aviation, and OEM applications. Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit Garmin’s virtual pressroom at www.garmin.com/pressroom or contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200. Garmin is a registered trademark and VIRB is a trademark of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.
All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
About the Burton US Open
The world’s best snowboarders will come together in Vail, Colorado from March 3rd – 8th to partake in the longest running, premier snowboarding event, the Burton US Open Snowboarding Championships presented by MINI. By day, experience world-class halfpipe and slopestyle competition, then at night keep the momentum high with FREE concerts, events and activities for all-ages. A big thanks to the following partners for their support of the 32nd edition of the Burton US Open: MINI, Vail Mountain, Mountain Dew®, Town of Vail, Paul Mitchell, 3M™ Thinsulate™ Insulation, Garmin, G-SHOCK, Pacifico, Bear Naked, Chipotle, Shiseido, CHILL, anon, Analog and the World Snowboard Tour.
About MINI
MINI is involved in action sports around the world through cooperation and sponsoring activities. As a partner of trend-conscious sports, MINI supports young and creative sports people and, in so doing, promotes the development of their sport. MINI has been the official presenting partner for the Burton Global Event Series since 2011.
About Vail Mountain
Coveted as one of the largest ski resorts in the world with more than 5,200 acres of skiable terrain, seven legendary Back Bowls spanning seven miles, and the most groomed terrain on the planet, Vail has been an extraordinary winter vacation destination for passionate skiers and snowboarders for more than 50 years. It is home to world-class athletes during the U.S. Ski Team early-season training sessions in Golden Peak, the Burton US Open Snowboarding Championships and the future 2015 World Alpine Ski Championships. Under blue skies more than 300 days each year, friends and families reconnect and celebrate here from year to year and generation to generation. The vacation experience is exceptional, from the Vail Ski & Snowboard School to events, activities and festivals, shops and spas, abundant culinary experiences and luxurious accommodations. Coupled with the vision inherent in the spirit of Vail’s founders, and a modern day commitment to excellence in all aspects of guest service and operations, Vail is a mountain resort like nothing on earth. www.vail.com.
About Vail
Welcome to Vail! The new home of the Burton US Open in 2013 and beyond, Olympic Alpine Champion Lindsey Vonn, and the Legendary Back Bowls, Vail is universally held as North America’s top ski resort.
The 2012-2013 season marked Vail’s 50th anniversary. Since its auspicious founding in 1962, Vail has grown to become an extraordinary year round world-class destination. The premier resort brand in North America and arguably the world, Vail attracts a diverse guest base who are cosmopolitan, adventurous and active. They come to Vail from the major metropolitan centers of North America and from around the world. Vail’s diverse guests are bound together by a shared purpose: a desire for a resort experience characterized by a sense of adventure, a sense of expansiveness, and a certain edginess underscored by a rich and dynamic experience both on and off the mountain.
Matching the incredible mountain experience, – Vail year-round is characterized by a rich culinary scene, summer season events from adventure sports to classical music and jazz, family activities and everything in-between.
Vail also offers world-class lodging from the high end luxury hotels to practical condominiums and vacation rentals. On the culinary front, the same world-class offerings abound. From five courses to five-minute bites, Vail has a bounty of options and flavors. Other alternatives include cozy pubs, family-friendly eateries and everything else across the culinary spectrum.
Welcome to Vail! For more information please visit www.vail.com.
