Nintendo, Burton Hop on SI For Kids' Competition

Nintendo of America and Burton Snowboards will sponsor Sports Illustrated For Kids' "nextXsnow SEARCH" snowboarding and skiing competition this spring.

Thirty ski resorts nationally will hold competitions for kids aged 9-13, with on-slope judging and online voting to choose winners. Local winners compete in an April 4 series final in Keystone, CO.

Redmond, WA-based Nintendo uses its sponsorship to tout new GameCube game 1080 Degrees: Avalanche. The competition is "a solid platform to reach a young and independent-minded crowd," said Nintendo Director-Advertising and Promotions Robert Matthews, in a statement.

Burlington, VT-based Burton gets brand awareness among a tightly targeted crowd. SnowMonsters, a national kids' snow sports program, runs the competitions.