November 1, 1998

Just how much money is being pumped into snowboarding right now? We tracked down most of the major snowboarding events to get a better idea of who's supporting the sport. Here's a short list of the big-name pro events.

15th Annual Mt. Baker Legendary Banked Slalom

Number of events: One

Divisions: Pro men, pro women, older amateur men, younger amateur men, amateur women, masters (30 and older), grand masters (40 and older), juniors, next generation

Total prize money: 50,000 dollars (mostly in merchandise).

Swatch Boardercross Tour

Number of events: Three in the United States.

Divisions: Men's and women's boardercross.

Prize money: 50,000 dollars each.

U.S.S.A. U.S. Snowboard Grand Prix

Number of events: Three

Divisions: Men's and women's halfpipe, giant slalom, and snowboard cross.

Total prize money: 370,000 dollars.

ESPN Winter and Summer X-Games

Number of events: Two

Divisions: (winter) Men's big air, women's big air, men's boarder x, women's boarder x, men's halfpipe, women's halfpipe, men's slopestyle, women's slopestyle; (summer) Men's big air, women's big air.

Total prize money: To be announced.

Kokanee Boardercross Grand Nationals Tour

Number of events: Four in Canada.

Divisions: Men's and women's boardercross.

Total prize money: First three, 10,000-dollars each; final contest 25,000 dollars.

Vans/G-Shock Triple Crown of Snowboarding

Number of events: Two in U.S. and one in Europe.

Divisions: Men's and women's big air, snowboardcross, and halfpipe.

Total prize money: 350,000-dollars overall. U.S. events are 125,000 dollars each; Europe contest has 100,000-dollar purse.

Fox Freeride Snowboard Championships

Number of events: Three

Divisions: Men's and women's halfpipe, triple big air, and boardercross.

Prize money: 75,000-dollars each. 25,000-dollar bonus awarded to athletes with highest point ranking at finals.

U.S. Open

Number of events: One

Divisions: Men's and women's super-G, boardercross, big air, and halfpipe.

Total prize money: 150,000-dollar total purse.

Boarding For Breast Cancer

Number of events: One.

Divisions: Men's and women's halfpipe and big air.

Total prize money: Charity event. Winners receive prizes rather than cash.

Westbeach Classic

Number of events: One

Division: Big air, halfpipe, and usually one or two crazy circus events.

Prize money: