It's the very beginning of summer and there's still snow on the mountains in some parts, but it's not too early to start thinking about snow boarding. Outspark just announced that they're accepting applications for the Project Powder closed beta.

Project Powder is an online multiplayer snowboard racing game set in the not-so-distant future of 2146 AD. Apparently global warming got the best of us, melted the Earth's ice caps, and now winter is a thing of the past. Mankind's unexplainable lust for snow and pristine powder led them to create warp gates which took them to virgin planets blanketed in the cold, white stuff. Sounds flimsy, but hey... it's a racing game! Based on the screen shots, the graphics looks interesting (almost cell-shaded), and might be fun for a casual change of pace. And who doesn't like to beat their friends, right?

Closed Beta will let players choose from three of the four characters and race through six of the game's thirty-three courses, while competing in three different game modes. Beating opponents levels up your character and earns currency to buy new gear and snowboards. You can also use Project Powder's trick tree to customize movesets and new tricks. All in in a low gravity atmosphere. Registration is now open, but beta space is limited (servers open on June 24). Those who get accepted will be notified via email.