Electronic Arts today announced that players can discover the open mountain in the newest version of the smash-hit SSX snowboarding franchise.

SSX 3 allows gamers to go anywhere gravity will take them. Players will discover a colossal mountain where they can immerse themselves in a free-roaming snow paradise. The ultimate all-mountain experience, SSX 3 features all-new events and courses, awe-inspiring tricks, and a cast of cool, customizable characters. Discover the open terrain, explore its hidden crevices, and conquer its peaks.

Produced under the EA SPORTS BIG brand, the SSX 3 development team at EA Canada is adding technologies that bring to life rich natural graphics such as snow that sparkles and blows in the wind and realistic character shadowing. A new game play experience allows users to seamlessly ride from one awesome area to the next- entering competitions, taking on Big Challenges, and discovering hidden collectibles. SSX 3 has blown out the trick component with unlimited combos and new over-the-top tricks.

In addition to the new boarding venues, Big Challenges rewards players for completing any of the more than 100 unique challenges as they explore the mountain's vast world. Grind billboards, board press logs, even hand plant the fence line.

The musical sountrack will feature a broad range of music from artists including the X-Ecutioners, Felix Da Housecat, Queens of the Stone Age, N.E.R.D., and many more.

SSX 3 will be available for the PlayStation2 computer, the Nintendo GameCube and the Xbox in late 2003.

Update: First four screens and teaser trailer!

Click the image below to view the first four screens released of SSX 3 and or click the link to the movie file to enjoy the teaser trailer (the movie does not reveal too much).