Top of the cirque at The North Face Masters

The North Face Masters began four years ago as a venue for amateur and professional big mountain snowboarders to compete in North America.

Taking place at some of the best freeride resorts in the lower 48, The North Face Masters combines skill, style and cojones.

In 2011 The North Face Masters will take place at Snowbird, UT, Crystal Mountain, WA and Kirkwood, CA.

Here's the official release:

Mountain Sports International, Inc. and The North Face announce the 2011 competition stops for The North Face Masters of Snowboarding presented by PrimaLoft kicking off January 20-22 in Snowbird, UT; February 6-8 in Crystal Mountain, WA; and March 3-5 in Kirkwood, CA. The fourth annual The North Face (TNF) Masters is the largest big mountain snowboarding competition in the country, and it provides a venue for the best snowboarders in the world to compete for a total $45,000 cash prize purse.

In three short years, The North Face Masters has established itself as one of the top open, big mountain competitions in the world with athletes such as Travis Rice, Ralph Backstrom, Rob Kingwill, Aaron Robinson and Matt Annetts showcasing their creative style on big mountain terrain, said Adam Comey, president of Mountain Sports International.

TNF Masters is an open, three-stop, competitive snowboarding tour providing the best big mountain snowboarders in the world with an all-natural stage to express skill, creativity and athleticism. In an arena designed and built by Mother Nature, it s a unique opportunity for elite riders to mix style with cliffs, chutes, and powder. Athletes are judged based on their lines, control, fluidity, creativity and style; 2010 winners Aaron Robinson and Shannon Yates excelled in these areas. In addition to the $15,000 cash prize purse at each stop of the tour, TNF Masters also recognizes riders under the age of 25 that demonstrate raw talent and innovation in their riding style for the Young Gun Award. One Young Gun is selected at each Masters stop, as well as a series overall; award recipients embody the big mountain riding culture and are the future of the sport.

"We're thrilled to have Snowbird host the first stop of the The North Face Masters," said Snowbird President Bob Bonar. "The combination of La Nina, some strong early season storms and a fantastic field of competitors should make for another great event."

TNF Masters attracts big mountain snowboarding competitors from around the world with all male and female snowboarding competitors age 18 and above invited to participate. Athlete and media registration opens on December 7, 2010 at 10 a.m. MST at www.thenorthfacemasters.com

The North Face Masters of Snowboarding is presented by PrimaLoft and is supported by The North Face, Subaru of America, Mountain Sports International, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Comcast Sportsnet, Snowboard Magazine, Clif Bar, Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort, Crystal Mountain and Kirkwood Mountain Resort.