The official commencement of the 27th Annual USASA National Championships took place Saturday, (April 2) following a full day of practice for the athletes across five disciplines - Slopestyle, Halfpipe, Slalom, Giant Slalom and Boardercross.  A large throng lined the walkways of Copper Resort's Center Village to watch the opening ceremonies which began with a parade of athletes from the 31 Regional Series.  As of the start of the parade, USASA administration reported that 1235 snowboard athletes had registered to compete.  Six hundred and twenty-one skiers had also checked in for their National Championships which begin on Saturday, April 9 with practice.

Athletes from the 31 Regional Series who will participate in the 2016 edition of the National Championships represent 41 states, and eight foreign countries (Australia, New Zealand, Korea, France, Italy, Japan, Great Britain and Canada, with four of its 10 provinces representing).

(photo below) The Regional Series line-up for the opening parade

  Burning Stone Plaza filling up with the athletes, coaches, parents, Series Directors and more (below)

Kailey and Ashley Bogart from the USASA's Rocky Mountain Series delivered a powerful renditionof the National Anthem (photo left)

USASA Executive Assistant, Zippy Neil (center) presented the Chuck Allen Lifetime Achievement Award to Sally and Gary Peherson for their years of contributions to USASA. (photo right)