Bradford star Jamie Nicholls is celebrating after being picked to take part in a major competition in Switzerland.

The 16-year-old, who is sponsored by indoor snow slope SNO!zone Castleford, has landed the opportunity to compete in the Burton European Open 2010, which will be held in the ski resort of Laax in January.

The news marks a fantastic end to the year for Jamie, who is the UK’s top-rated male snowboarder.

The Burton European Open is the only open snowboarding event in Europe, with riders competing in halfpipe and slopestyle categories.

More than 400 of the world’s top snowboarders are set to take part, including Olympians and world champions.

Jamie will take part in both the slopestyle and halfpipe competitions.

Campbell Orr, co-ordinator of the sponsored riders programme at SNO!zone, said: “The Burton European Open is the one event that all of our sponsored riders hope to compete at.

“Jamie has had an incredible year so far and we hope that his winning streak continues at the European open, where he’ll be up against the world’s best.”