Microsoft announces that its Xbox console will be returning to the French Val d'Isere resort for this year's Big Day Out snowboarding event.

Microsoft today announced that it is supporting this year's Big Day Out snowboarding event at the Val d'Isere resort in France. The first Big Day Out was little more than a friendly boarding session and mountain barbecue held eight years ago, but now the Oakley-sponsored event is one of the biggest on the snowboard calendar. The Xbox first appeared at the event last year.

Over 7,000 spectators are expected to attend this year's five-day event, where they'll have an opportunity to play games such as Amped 2, Top Spin, and Project Gotham Racing 2 on consoles scattered throughout the resort and inside the Xbox Megacruiser parked at the foot of du bellvarde.