Where: Summit-at-Snoqualmie, USA

Think Canada, think snowboarding, and Jeez! will ya get those five rings out of your head already! Canada’s largest and most popular snowboard event, the RIDE Shakedown, will debut in the U.S. at Washington State’s Summit-at-Snoqualmie (Summit West), from March 12 to 13, 2010. And no worries, no need to book a pricy flight to the West Coast, just watch the live webcast here, starting on 13 March from 11pm (Munich time, GMT+1):

And to pass some time until the event kicks off you can check out their teaser. Pretty cool, huh?

So, what IS this RIDE Shakedown after all?

Now in its ninth season in Canada, the jam-style event which has drawn upwards of 20,000 spectators, is recognized for its spectacular urban rail features and 50-foot jump that is only unveiled to the athletes the day of the competition. The Ride Shakedown is the only major snowboarding event that features a big air jump followed by a rail set up, in addition to the popular “Jam Format” competition.

Top pros, including Seattle’s-own Austin Hironaka, Darrell Mathes, teen phenom and two-time Shakedown champion Seb Toutant, Hana Beaman, who won Shakedown’s first women’s edition last year, and Leanne Pelosi, will showcase their abilities in the event’s signature thrill-a-minute format. With $35,000 in cash prizes for the top performers, the U.S. stop looks to continue the trend while putting a unique Northwest spin to it. 

Spectator events begin on March 12, with amateur qualifications, followed by Rail Jam qualifications and the Rail Jam main event. Festivities continue on March 13 with a signing session, semi finals afterwards, and a pro skate half-time show, then end with the Big Air finals . The RIDE Shakedown after party, presented by SKDW MFG, will be held at Hard Rock Cafe in Seattle both nights with doors opening at 9 p.m. (we left that bit in just in case you happen to be in the greater Seattle area).