Checkout http://www.altacam.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=117. Interesting rumour (and maybe that's all it is). I know it's contentious, but I for one would welcome boarding at Alta, as I visit Utah several times per year from out of state and usually come with friends who board only - leaving me to only rarely make it to the resort, even though I primarily ski.
Alta opening the doors to snowboarding?
- Thread starter rsmith
- Start date
thanks for sharing the knowledge rsmith.
as one smart person points out:
ok. so ban beginners. have all questionalbe customers pass a test with a "certified" instructor to make sure that they are of at least intermeditate ability to ride the lifts. just like the snowboarders had to do when it was introduced to ski area's. (someone's gonna jump on that.) that should work, right? :wink:
as one smart person points out:
ok. so ban beginners. have all questionalbe customers pass a test with a "certified" instructor to make sure that they are of at least intermeditate ability to ride the lifts. just like the snowboarders had to do when it was introduced to ski area's. (someone's gonna jump on that.) that should work, right? :wink:
Killclimbz
New member
I am sure it's part of the hoax played at TGR. It was amazing how much hate was brought out against borders on that thread. I guess some people just hate change :roll: . Alta would definitely have it's problem for borders, but it would surely weed them out quickly to, from all I have heard.
Alta will allow boarders on their lifts though. If they are taking an avy course where the field practice is at Alta. That seems to be the one exception and that is where the pics on the TGR thread came from. Maybe it's a chink in the armor, only time will tell.
Alta will allow boarders on their lifts though. If they are taking an avy course where the field practice is at Alta. That seems to be the one exception and that is where the pics on the TGR thread came from. Maybe it's a chink in the armor, only time will tell.
The TGR thread: http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/show ... +snowboard
Lots of comments on TGR about postholing, traverses, sidesteps, etc. at Alta. Taos has some of the same layout issues. Someone on TGR suggested that Alta (and Taos IMHO) allow snowboarders only if they are on splitboards. Any comments?
option_ride
New member
Tony Crocker":36jkbrhy said:
I would be very happy with that as a compromise. At Toas in particular I would be satisfied if they simply allowed me to earn my own turns on kachina peak. But in the end I'm not sure I would give Taos one red cent of my money so even if they did let me ride the lift I would prefer to earn it. I really get sick of some of the passive agressive sh*t I've had to deal with from some skiiers in new mexico, It wasn't ever like that in the 4 corners region were I've boarded and skied most of my life. I love a little friendly jabbing between 2plankers and knuckledraggers, but there have been a few times at Santa Fe were I've just about lost my cool on a few skiiers. I really don't get the animosity, I'm just there to have fun. If your going to let someone ruin your day just because you despise their existence then you really are mentally unsound.
option_ride
New member
p.s. I also get tired of the stereotyping about what boarders can and can't handle. I've ridden a lot of steep and deep terrain on my board, and if I can't ride it I know people who can. In fact being a pretty accomplished skier growing up I would say that on a board I am better in tight lines and steep places than I ever was on skiis. It may take some experience but a board can cut a pretty direct tight line. As far as the traverses, if the terrain is worth it I'll figure it out. I don't know any mountain that doesn't have at least 1 traverse I hate. I can understand some of the snow quality issues with postholing so if they want me on a split I'll grudgingly ablige.
ok rant over... thanks tony, I needed that, ahhhhh.
ok rant over... thanks tony, I needed that, ahhhhh.
Killclimbz
New member
Tony Crocker":322aulzm said:
Splitboard=waste of everyone's time. The change over takes a little too long. All I ride is a split. Also they are not nearly as reliable as traditional ski's in ski mode.
I think a good portion of the Rocky Mtn resorts have layout issues as far as traversing goes. Crested Butte being a great example. Taos from what I have seen, not a big deal. Alta, looks to be a bit more challenging. I am not sure of the scheme at the area, but I would think that they just need to set up a path for those who are booting it. Rope it off, whatever, just keep those postholing away from those who can ski it.
Lot's of other areas have their traversing problems, but those tend to be after the run, not on the way to it.
I think if they ever open to borders the first season will be the worst. Everyone will want to check it out, causing crowds, backups and general problems. If it is as bad as everyone states it is then only the really good borders will be the ones to stick around. Numbers will drop. In the end I bet it becomes no big thang, like at every other area.
I agree with Killclimbz. The vast majority of boarders will not attempt the more hairy traverses at all once they realize the effort involved. At Alta I believe most boarders, just like most skiers, will stick to the ample on-piste terrain. In any case, only a small percentage of the skier's at Alta ever even attempt to get to the backside or catherine's, for instance - just watch the flow of traffic from collins or supreme. The stashes that make Alta unique (off the high traverse, devil's castle, catherine's, etc.) will probably remain as protected as they are now. The boarders that are truly interested in the terrain accessed by traverses will invest in split boards. Occasionally you may be forced to stop on the traverse for a wayward boarder, but it's practically a guarantee you'll have an analagous wayward skier in your way on a busy weekend anyways. I do believe (though I don't have figures) that Alta's recent yearly skier numbers are well below their highs of years past. They run a business and thus must make money (especially to pay for upgrades like collins), and when all you do is run lifts the only way you can keep up is to either raise prices or expand your customer base. I think it's due time that they allow boarders - the ramifications are overstated and the two user groups have learned to quite happily coexist at practically every other resort in the world. The same can be done at Alta.
i can't count the times i've had to stop and wait at the top of a chute for a skier who's spilled and now they're meticulously trying to remove their second ski so they can crawl back up the hill to where their first one fell off, then slide around to pick up their poles and whatever else they dumped in the yard sale. so it goes both ways. we boarders may be slower on the traverses, but at least when we wipe out we cartwheel and keep on going and don't hold up a line of people for 10 minutes. how's that for a rant.
as for alta, taos, et al, i've always thought if somebody doesn't want you around, then just don't go there. there's enough mountains for everyone and someone else will always be more than willing to take my money.
and as for the skiers who give the boarders attitude? well, i'm sure the dinosaurs weren't too thrilled about the mammals either.
as for alta, taos, et al, i've always thought if somebody doesn't want you around, then just don't go there. there's enough mountains for everyone and someone else will always be more than willing to take my money.
and as for the skiers who give the boarders attitude? well, i'm sure the dinosaurs weren't too thrilled about the mammals either.
lookn4powder
New member
Ski lifts are a business. To sell more lift tickets, it seems pretty clear that opening Alta for snowboarding would likely increase the skier days. But would selling more lift tickets to snowboarders necessarily improve Alta?s long term profit margin? I am not so certain.
Initially, Alta would be flooded with snowboarders so the margins would be good. However, I do believe that courtesy is so tenuous (even now) on the high traverses that it would quickly break down. After a while this problem would be so chronic that the management would be compelled to shorten and eliminate the traverses by installing lifts up High Rustler, East Greely, and perhaps elsewhere. Then, the additional rider traffic might require other expensive capital improvements. So, allowing boarders might improve area use, but the plant improvements might load down the overhead enough that it does not improve net profit.
Jeff
Initially, Alta would be flooded with snowboarders so the margins would be good. However, I do believe that courtesy is so tenuous (even now) on the high traverses that it would quickly break down. After a while this problem would be so chronic that the management would be compelled to shorten and eliminate the traverses by installing lifts up High Rustler, East Greely, and perhaps elsewhere. Then, the additional rider traffic might require other expensive capital improvements. So, allowing boarders might improve area use, but the plant improvements might load down the overhead enough that it does not improve net profit.
Jeff