Since 1934, Alta Ski Resort has offered top-quality recreation to the people of Utah and the world. Because of its rich past, legendary terrain and fabulous powder, Alta has been dubbed one of the nation's premier ski resorts.
The ski-only emphasis is the problem, however. Alta remains one of only four resorts in the United States that still prohibits snowboarding. Alta claims it hasn't made the integration because of mountain capacity and terrain limitations, including traverses and flat areas where snowboarders would add to bottlenecking.
This is an unfortunate stereotype considering that terrain limitations have to do with ability rather than equipment preference. It is a proven fact that snowboarders can go anywhere skiers can.
Also, Alta is operated on public land under a permit issued by the U.S. Forest Service. The Forest Service claims Alta can do as it pleases because of the private business permit, but shouldn't public land be for the whole public's use?
As most kids today are choosing snowboarding over skiing, it is just a sign that Alta is behind the times and losing revenue that would be generated by the growing population of new snowboarders.
Families with skier and snowboarder combinations should be able to head to any resort they choose, especially when the resort is operated on public land. Alta's prejudice against snowboarders is ethically wrong and should not be tolerated.
Stuart Coombs and Malia McIvenna
Taylorsville