Well I can't avoid snowboarders - I wake up next to one every morning
There are ways to "align" boarders on a lift so they do not cross paths - i.e. goofy should be next to goofy easier if skier in the middle I'll check w/ DH later tonight about some of the other comments.
DD did a science fair project -- ocular dominance and footedness in snowboarders. Thinking that maybe more collisions occur b/c boarders do not have their dominant eye down hill. Ski patrol was very interested in the outcome. However, after interviewing over 150 boarders randomly on the lifts (establish eye dominance, check for footedness) it turns out that roughly 50% of boarders have their dominant eye facing down hill. So ocular dominance does not really play into it.
I think its certain age groups/ social media / etc as pointed out by others really create the problems.
3 boarders and 1 skier can be tricky, but if aligned correctly it should be smother. Incidentally I had my very first WTF 2 weeks ago with a middle aged female getting off the lift. 4 on 4 chair. I'm in middle with female skier - both our significant others were on the outside. We are chatting and she appears to be at least an intermediate skier. However, upon standing up at the end of the lift she immediately goes into a HUGE snowplow pushing me into DH. Luckily DH actually straps in on the lift so he is able to just board off the lift and keep going making room for me.
As far as lifts go I will say, I'd rather be on a lift with snowboarders
than men on skis who feel the need to air their ball sack out on the lifts by hogging the chair with their legs spread out in a V and their skis hitting mine...... I know you've all seen this.....