The city of Seoul will host an international snowboarding contest at Gwanghwamun Square in mid-December. The Seoul metropolitan government said Monday that the Korean capital will host the International Ski Federation Men's Big Air Snowboard World Cup for the 2009-2010 season from Dec. 11 to 13.

A city official said Seoul is the first Asian city to host the competition, which has been held so far in European cities like London, Barcelona and Stockholm.

For the competition, the city plans to build a sloped jump pad 34 m high and 100 m long at the northern end of Gwanghwamun Sqaure in central Seoul. The facility will be carpeted with artificial snow.

An artist's impression of a sloped jump pad for the 2009-2010 Big Air Snowboard World Cup /Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government

On the sidelines of the competition, other sports and cultural events such as a ski jump demonstration and a snowboard gala show will also be staged to attract tourists and stimulate interest in winter sports. An ice skating rink will be set up between the jump pad and the statue of King Sejong while the World Cup is underway.

Seoul city government spokesman Kang Chul-won said the competition will promote the status of Korea in the international sports community when the city of Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province is making its third bid to host the Winter Olympics.