Utah snowboarders fight for access to slopes

In arguments heard on Tuesday, a group of snowboarders appealed a lower court decision upholding a ban on boarders in Utah’s Alta Ski Area, which is limited to skiers only.

Skiers enjoy Alta’s slopes. Image by Pawel Loj / CC BY 2.0

The snowboarders say the ban is based on a false stereotype that depicts snowboarders as irresponsible and inconsiderate. Alta is one of only three US resorts that ban snowboarding, and it says snowboarders’ sideway stance gives riders a blind spot, which provides a legal reason to keep them out. Snowboarders say their sport is safer than skiing, although no evidence has been supplied to rule out the blind spot issue. Read more: nytimes.com