What do you think of "No Snowboards" policy?

[ski diva]

Right now there are four ski areas in the US that do not allow snowboards: Deer Valley, Alta, Mad River Glen, and Taos.

So how do you feel about that? Do you think it's a great idea to have no boarders sharing the trails with you? Or do you think they should be allowed?

 

[Jilly]

Oh that's a tricky one. I generally don't like the average snowboarder, but I have friends that board. And as a business person I'm not sure if I'd want to miss the revenue those tickets could make. On the other hand we used to have a hill in Ontario that was snowboard only. The neighbouring hill - same ridge- was ski only. That worked until the "snowboard ranch" closed do to lack to support. So -------- I don't know, that discussion need another glass of wine!

 

[Lynn]

The average snowboarder is young and not cognizant of their responsibilities on the slopes. Sitting down mid trail or worse, just below small ridge drives me nuts. The biggest issue is that snowboarders face one side of the hill, with their back to the other. Very few look before they turn toward their blind side. I have been crashed into several times. I always try to keep my antennae up to see where they are, but it is VERY nice to not have to worry where the snowboarder is when you hear the sound of them nearby scratching off the snow. Also, moguls shaped by boarders are different than ski moguls. I like the ski moguls better.
One reason my husband and I go each year to the Park City area is because there are two no-snowboard resorts relatively close to each other.

 

[ISki]

GREAT IDEA!!!!!!. I'd be there SO FAST!!!

First, I hate sharing a lift with them. At my area, lift line attendants quad people up. I dread it when I am put next to a boarder. First thing, I look at their feet to see which leg is free. I absolutely abhor when that board lays across my skis and that sharp edge threatens to slice my ski pants. I have to always be on guard that my pants, which can snag or be cut, don't get too close to the board, which means my legs will not get to relax on the chair. And I truly love my skis and don't appreciate the board invading their space. I also had this lovely incident: while exiting the chair, the boarder next to me put his board diagonally down and on top of my ski tails. He stood up and this anchored me in place. I was locked and couldn't move. He was taking his time sliding down the ramp, and I was cemented down, yelling "get off". Since I couldn't move, the chair, still moving, knocked me over and I had a bad twisting fall. My knees can't take this sort of thing. I was so angry.

Now when I ski with my husband, he always lets me have the end of the chair. We'll rearrange ourselves right in line after being teamed up with boarders on the quad chair so that I don't have to sit next to a board.

Just the tip of the iceberg...

 

[SnowHot]

I couldn't ski at a 'no snowboard' venue.
I have a couple of friends, and my nephew who snowboard.

I completely understand why/how they've developed the reputation(along with the twin tippers), but there are also snowboarders who grew up with ski etiquette(good parenting) and now there are more adults giving the snowboard a try.


I don't care if a ski resort has a No Snowboard policy, I just couldn't ski there with some of the people I love.

 

[cnewbound]

I totally agree with you there SnowHot- I would now find it hard to go to a 'skier only' area as a good friend of mine rides.

 

[Molly]

Me too. And because of that -- and because more and more families these days are a mix of skiers and boarders -- I think that any resort that closes its gates to riders is terribly shortsighted.

 

[snowflake]

I find it silly that any resort would ban snowboarders. They're revenue, granted there may be some bad seeds, (just like in skiing) but overall they're just like you or I. Out there trying to enjoy the snow riding experience. I think we should try to open our minds. Even TRY snowboarding, you never know you may like it. Plus harboring hard feelings for other snow riders is just bad joo joo.

Another thought... do you think its snowboarders that are the problem, or is it that most snowboarders are young boys/men that are more likely to take risks and not care what other people think?

 

[SnowHot]

Another thought... do you think its snowboarders that are the problem, or is it that most snowboarders are young boys/men that are more likely to take risks and not care what other people think?

I agree with your entire post.
To answer the question in your final thought:
I think it's because the snowboard generation began with no examples.
Most people learned to ski from someone who had some ski etiquette. Snow boarders came into the sport (in general) because it was cool and their buddies did it. If you're learning from your "dood" friend, who's going to teach you THE CODE?
The twin tippers are in the same category for the most part. But all that is getting better, IMO because some of the "doods" are growing up.
My nephew started on skis, wanted to snow board soooooooooo baaaaaaaaad, pleeeeeease!
His wish was granted but with some significant rules.
It has served him well.
Here is a pic of my nephew just after he sprayed his buddy (for the record it was hilarious)

 

[Lola]

I truly don't mind snowboarders (sorry Lil - but it's true), and I have been hit by my share of both snowboarders and skiers. Personally, I think that snowboarding will continue to grow and that, in a few decades, skiers will be in the minority on the mountain. Most young people like the idea of snowboarding because of the tricks - you don't see many young skiers doing tricks in the pipe/snow parks. Anyway, I guess my point is that snowboarding is the snow sport of the future, so we better get used to it.

 

[snowflake]

Another thing I don't get is when a child wants to snowboard and his parents say "no you have to learn to ski first". I don't get what the diffrence is. If you want your child to love being on the hill, let them pick whatever they want to ride. Maybe they won't like snowboarding and try skiing, you never know, but pushing them to ski when what they really want to do is snowboard isn't a very good idea. IMHO

 

[Jilly]

Couldn't agree with you more, snowflake. Isn't the idea to have the family out on the hill. Does it matter which method they use to acheive it. A friend of mine was really upset that his son took to snowboarding. I reminded him that he was still out on the hill with his father. He could have been playing hockey instead!

 

[ski diva]

My daughter was never interested in skiing (I think it was her way of rebelling), but decided to give snowboarding a try about 5 years ago. She only goes a couple times a year, but I'm glad she's at least out there. So I agree -- whatever works.

All the same, I think boarders should adhere to the same etiquette as skiers and be considerate of others -- which means keeping track of where others are and NOT blocking the middle of the trail. I make it a point of keeping a special eye on boarders myself, since I'm not always sure they know where I am and I don't want to risk a collision. And I definitely don't think they should be hotdogging on the same trails as skiers. Save it for the terrain park!

 

[teachski]

I don't mind snowboarders, bladers, skiers or twin tippers as long as they follow rules for save and courteous snow travel. I do mind the Yahoos who do not think that the rules apply to them. I can't stand the punks that talk like they should be in a gutter, especially if there are little children around.

Unfortunately, the number of recklace and rude young riders, no matter what they are on, seems to be growing.

Fortunately, I am in a position where I can greatly reduce this at my home area. But, even then, some of them question my authority to do so. They seem to question all authority and have little respect for it.

 

[Lilgeorg]

We have had some very scary experiences with snowboarders. Lola has a very funny story she might be persuaded to tell. I have been taken out from behind at least 3 times by boarders who were out of control.

That said, I would not like them baned. What I would like to see is more of them carving and making turns than scraping the snow down the slope. I think the best thing ski areas ever did was make the terrain parks. Good boarders are a thrill to watch in the parks and in the half pipes.

The us and them between skiers and snowboarders is counter productive. We have enough of that in other areas of our lives.

 

[nelsapbm]

I have no opinion either way.
One thing I have noticed at no snowboard areas is how quiet it is....can't really explain it. But those that have been to MRG, or Alta, or Deer Valley can probably attest to that.

 

[dburdenbates]

I love Alta and Deer Valley for exactly this policy. I've never been to Taos (it's on my list of places to ski before I die, though) and didn't realize that MRG had this policy as well (better add it to my list). I do hate the way many snowboarders act and I feel nervous when they whip past me seemingly (and probably) out of control. I hate that they sit in the middle of the hill almost always in a blind spot, and generally have little, if any, etiquette. That being said, there are responsible boarders out there so I hate to generalize, but I have had bad experiences.

I am one of those parents that insisted my sons learn to ski first. I guess the underlying reason is because I didn't want them hanging around the boarders that I had experience with and picking up their bad habits. When they pay for it, they can board if they choose.

Just my .02.

 

[Marigee]

I actually prefer it when no snowboarders are around as well. They tend to make me nervous. I'm sure that it is more the fact that they are mostly young and don't have good sense regarding proper ski/snowboard etiquette more than the fact that they are snowboarders.

That being said, all 3 of my sons decided they wanted to try a day of snowboarding last year. The twins hated it. My oldest took to it like a duck to water. Most of his friends ski, so I don't anticipate him doing much snowboarding. He does know how to act on the slopes. Who knows what he will do when he goes on day trips skiing from college ( He is at Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh) . His roomate skis, and he has his own ski equipment - but he is a young male with all that adrenaline!

 

[Lisamarie]

I hate to sound prejudiced, but having had the wonderful experience of skiing at both Alta and Deer Valley, there is something awesome about being at an all-skier resort. It does not even have that much to do with behavior. Skiers and snowboarders simply use the slopes in different ways. In an all skier resort, its easier to anticipate the movements of other snow sliders. That alone alleviates an enormous amount of stress.

 

[ski diva]

In light of this recent thread, I thought I'd resurrect this oldie.

Anyone have any further thoughts?