Alta’s Wildcat Chair
I hope no one has had their feelings hurt after one of the most popular posts of the summer racked up well over 5,000 views and over 100 comments. Which article was that? Non other than the yearly, no, daily debate of ALTA IS FOR SKIERS.
LINK: Sh*t ALTA Skiers Say About Snowboarding | WOW!!! Tell Us How You Guys Really Feel…
While reading the comments and laughing the whole time at the internet rage going on I took it upon myself to email Connie Marshall who is the Public Relations Director of Alta. Here’s what she had to say….
“Alta Ski Area is one of the oldest ski areas in the country, poised to celebrate 75 years this season. The owners of our company have made many business decisions over the years. One of those was to be a ski area that focuses on skiers.”
There it is, short and to the point. Want to enjoy Alta? Do it on skis, or split board it pre or post season.
Connie Marshall for president!
with how much traversing that you do there, is it even worth boarding there at all?
I love this stance the most of all the BS excuses. I ride the Bird and take pride when I pass skiers on the traverses. Not only can I traverse, I can beat skiers to spots that are only accessible by traverses. The only place that is a pain to get to is the Bookends…. NOT BECAUSE IT’S IMPOSSIBLE BUT BECAUSE I WILL GET RUN OVER BY IGNORANT SKIERS THAT SOMEHOW THINK THEY ARE MORE ENTITLED TO IT.
I also love when skier say they’d be fine with making Brighton a boarders only resort but it would never happen because we aren’t ignorant assholes like skiers.
“I can beat skiers to spots that are only accessible by traverses” = no fucking way. The handful of boarders that legitimately are that good are the ones that don’t give two shits about Alta because they’ve already hiked Main Chute pre-season. Bookends is a “pain” because you have to posthole to get there, as it requires sidestepping uphil, and yes, you are getting run over by skiers who can sidestep and carry their speed because they don’t want to dump speed because you are in the way. The majority of traverses at Alta are Bookends-ish. so you would be taking your board off to posthole all day long. Sorry guy, your comment shows that you are not even entitled to a opinion on the matter anymore.
Hate, hate, hate
Your an asshole. Stop traversing to the bookends if fast ignorant skiers want to pass your slow snowboarding scootching ass. Alta is skiers only so dick snowboarders like you are not scoochin along their travers.
I might have run you over, sorry dude!
Bird Rider
Did you know that the traverse you speak of was made by hard hiking skiers not snowboarders. If you had to boot pack your way without skier traverses you wouldn’t make it 100 yards. Snow boarders don’t make traverses they just ruin them.
For the most part, I really could care less. If it makes some snobby twats feel better to have their own little private play area – good for them. It has zero impact on my ability to have a good time.
I do wonder if Alta operates under a forest service permit though. If they do – a few well connected phone calls could cause a shitstorm that nobody would want to deal with. Imagine the debate being framed in terms of “Every day americans denied access to public land to support a private business decision”. Get a few of the more attention-whoring politicians into the debate, and suddenly Alta’s changing their tune…..
While Alta operates on public lands they do legitimately lease the land for the season creating a private oasis upon which they can operate their business as they choose. Before that lease begins and after it ends that land can be boarded upon as much as you’re willing to hike, just like early season skiers, snowbladers, sledders, etc. Do what you want until the lease begins then let Alta run the same business they have for three quarters of a century and then do it again. Why Alta? I have to wonder…no one is all up in Deer Valley’s face trying to get snowboarding there. Wanna piss off some yuppies? Let’s meet in Park City and try this sh*t in the Deer Valley parking lots!
like the park city idea
I don’t think they can stop you from snowboarding on the mountain but they do own the lifts and can prevent snowboarders from using them. Either way its really lame. But if they feel better without snowboarders on the mountain I guess that’s their decision. There are way better mountains for both skiers and snowboarders.
true- they cannot restrict downhill travel, only uphill. which is why patrollers dont react if you ride down the east side of baldy or come in from grizzly gulch or catherines pass
though the crazy old rich people… they will react. oh, will they react
honestly, there is so much traversing at alta that if they allowed snowboarders, after the first few years when the novelty wore off, you wouldnt see nearly as many of them there as you see elsewhere
private business, public land, gold jacket, green jacket, who gives a shit
I highly doubt this well connected phone call would do any good. They are not denying anyone access to the land. Boarders are welcome to come in through snowbird gates on the Peruvian ridge and baldy, they just can’t ride the lifts that said private business has paid to install on the land they have leased.
You are not prohibited for accessing the land at alta. you are not permitted to use the lifts if you are not on skies.
All resorts have similar rules. You can not use the lifts at any resort unless you have the proper equipment. You can’t ride most chairs on foot or with snow shoes. Alta just went a step further and banned snowboards.
Make your call to the forest service. It won’t open up any can of worms. It will just inform your ignorant ass and make you feel dumb for thinking you can take on a legit buisness that has a legal contract.
I am a snowboarder and I understand Alta’s position.
fuk u connie.
classy
real mature.
Really? Have you met Connie?…and why don’t you take your hate and put it to REAL use…like stopping Congress from taking away legitimate rights?…..or better yet…tell Connie to her face….
That would take real courage… instead of blithering anonymously on-line…dare you.
Its too bad that all the snowboard hating skiers can’t all be quarantined at Alta. Do they get to discriminate while under permit from the U.S.Forest service? Do they realize that the snowboard shape itself was responsible for changing the way they get down the hill or that it saved a stagnant and dying ski industry as a whole.
I would love to be quarantined at Alta.
Discriminate? Not being able to snowboard on a particular mountain is Discrimination?
Try telling that to the old black guy in Alabama that remembers not being able to eat at a restaurant when he was a kid because of the color of his skin. Or the gay dude that got fired when his boss saw him making out with his partner of 12 years…
Get some perspective on what really problems look like and stop whining that you can’t perform your chosen, privileged activity on a whole 3 mountains in the country, you over entitled dense moron!
thanks for this pointless article
Thank you for your pointless comment.
Split ski mode up, snowboard mode down. Lets have a snowboard railjam and kegs in the parking lot on christmas eve!
People getting worked up! Cant we all just get along? Just not at Alta I guess!
Isn’t ALTA just an acronym for Another Long Traverse Ahead? Why would a snowboarder want to traverse all day?
I don’t like snowboarders on my ski hill, and I don’t like black people on my golf course.
But seriously, is this really 2012 and we’re having to have this conversation?
Alta is the modern day southern Country Club.
country club where pow doesn’t get scraped off diagonally down the hill in 15 minutes. They should let them in only if they promise to ride downhill instead of across
I think this argument is above all other arguments is the most hilarious. Presenting this “scraping” nonsense as your hard proof *cough* PIZZA! PIZZA! *cough* is in itself an admission to that you’re willing to suspend all reasonable logic to grasp at any laughable reason to support your biases.
You wanty your little skier only place(s) where you can be free to feel justified of your prejudices with fellow ignorant brethren. OK. The law says you’re allowed.
But at least be proud enough to own up to it.
I dont think skiers “pizza” through powder dumbass. And if they do its on the bunny hill. Snowboarders always side slip down the gad chutes at the bird and always take off every foot and inch of powder. Its BS
Lived in cottonwood hights for years, FU CK Alta! Much rather give my money to the Bird or even better Brighton. And for you fucks that say alta has it better than thoes. Snowmobile access is KING.
Find some talent, learn to ski, go to Alta. I’ll see ya there and buy you a beer for growing some balls.
Actually, there is this place called Jackson Hole up in Wyoming that makes you grow even bigger balls. I skied Alta from ’03 to ’09 & JH since then, I should know.
Todd knows, you should listen to him.
Too bad Jackson costs 105 bucks for a lift ticket. Plus another 25 for lunch. And if you live in Jackson (the richest county in the nation) you probably pay quite a bit to live there. Plus I went there 4 years ago and it was -45 degrees. The year after -20. And if you go above 20 mph on the runs you will get butt raped by a ski patroller. I prefer skiing Teton Pass, thats the shit.
People have tried to pull similar stunts like this at Mad River Glen (the other place that doesn’t allow snowboards). In at least one case, the folks at Mad River Glen offered them a free ski rental for the day. This isn’t a civil rights issue. Everyone is welcome to ski at Alta. Just bring skis.
Also bring $70. Public land or not, the people who run Alta have been granted a permit to run a business on that mountain. Businesses may not be allowed to discriminate, but that doesn’t mean they are obligated to offer a product that everyone wants to buy. For whatever reason, Alta has chosen to offer a skiers-only experience. You can say that its a stupid idea, but the cranks in the parking lot sure seem to like it. If snowboarders wanted to create a snowboard-only mountain, all the power to ‘em. If they bought my favorite local ski hill and turned it snowboard-only, I might be bummed out. But I wouldn’t be all high and mighty about it, let alone have the nuts to compare it to the civil rights movement. Get over it, people.
It may not be civil rights issue, but those nasty skiers sure sound like bigots.
You’re right. This isn’t a civil rights issue. But it just happens that the skiers at Alto use the same non-sense rhetoric to justify their position as you might hear from racist assholes.
Perverse logic is still perverse logic.
But hey, It’s your legal right…so hurrah for you!
The more bigots that worship at Alta the better. Less douches in the rest of the Wasatch.
Cheers to you Connie
I am amazed that more people from Alta aren’t embarrassed by the rude patrons in the video. I would be embarrassed to be associated with Alta. The skiers in the video exhibit the same behavior that they describe snowboarders as having. The best way to enact change is to write letters to the Utah state representatives and the us forest service branch/office that governs the permits for that area. Get involved and make your voice heard. We as taxpayers have the right to not renew Alta’s permit, they have the right to refuse snowboarders but without a permit and mountain they would have trouble operating a resort.
For those who ask why a snowboarder would want to ride there with all the “Traversing” . You obviously have never ridden (planked) the upper peaks. Some of the BEST terrain on the planet. That excuse is getting old. Plus the best access to flagstaff is from Alta. some of the best runs I’ve ever had! You would have the novice “Sno-Bro” for a month, maybe 2. After that the place would only be ridden by people who enjoy deep powder and 45 degree slopes. Get over yourself Natzi Skiers. Let everyone have some fun!
How do you get to Flagstaff from Alta? O right not until they build the lift up that way. I guess we are talking from the future
who cares. getting your panties in a twist over the fact that you are incapable of learning how to ski. if you can’t expand your skills to learn the sport, why the hell do you even care about Alta? skis, board or tele, it’s all the same for me. if you’re serious enough about sliding on snow, then you should probably learn to be more versatile. which then makes me question why all the other resorts around won’t then serve your fill.
keep your twat in check.
My guess is that Alta is enjoying all of this free publicity, and as a fan of Alta and Deer Valley, I appreciate them being skiers only mountains. Alta is operationg under a permit from the U.S. Forest service and is more than complying with the terms and conditions. Deer Valley is a tad bit different, as quite a bit of their land is privately owned.
The point is…..it’s a free country. If you want to do things a certain way, than go ahead. Just don’t be a D-BAG about it. I’m sure all those skiers sucked anyways.
a F*CKING RACIEST. Open up the hill already
We reserve the rite to refuse service to anyone.
Have a nice day!!
So many better places to ride than the crowded LCC where you can even get a real beer after riding or not have to worry about burning one down… why anyone really cares is beyond me.
I am a skier and I say Fuck Alta. Fuck em.
When did you get so soft unofficial? we got all this shit stirred up and this is all your gonna give us – “Want to enjoy Alta? Do it on skis, or split board it pre or post season.”
as long as they’re not allowed to expand over into flagstaff, then fine.
if snowbowl was skiers only, then it wouldn’t really make a difference because last season sucked anyways
Fuck Alta, I’m a Bird skier and wouldn’t ski ALTA if they gave me a free season pass. Another Long Traverse Again!!!! Why????
I Ski, Tele, & Snowboard so I have BIG BALLS!!! There’s no vert at ALTA.
Ever notice all the old FUCKS in their 1970′s-80′s one piece suits, rear entry boots,mono skis? Why do you think the Peruvian is called the DUMP!!!!
When I ski on Alta terrain its only to get back to SNOWBIRD terrain.
Let the Nazis’ keep their mountain. Deer Valley vs Alta NO comparison.
Deer Valley is a ski Resort, Alta a ski area.
It’s their lease, so they make the call. If you don’t like it, then too bad. Move to France or someplace where they listen to whiny little girls and will cave in to bad press.
“You people. How many times must I tell you? You may ski on zat side of ze hill or on zat side of ze hill, but stay out of ze meedle here! “
Perfect example of skiers making themselves look like the MORONS that they really are!! Keep them all there! It’s a LAME hill anyway! I would not even waist my time and go there. Skier give skies a bad name!
People rant on this issue every year. It’s just like there are no big tubes going down the hill, or other silly attractions. Read a 10 year old interview with Onno and that’s what he said. Business decision. Simple as that.
skiers are just rich white golf dicks in the making.
no…I work for a living…at 3 jobs….write to your Congress “man” if you want to affect change…but why not start with serious matters, like voter’s rights, women’s tights, education and the environment? I am amazed at the venom over sport.
This is all very funny.
can’t we all just rag on telemarking?
All I can say is that because Alta does not let riders, I rented skis once to check it out and at lunch accidentally switched the skis with a privately owned pair that looked the same. Funny enough bindings were same size and I didn’t notice until after 3pm. When I came down the skier was waiting with a local cop. The snobby Alta skier schmuck wanted me arrested for an obvious mistake but the cop fortunately thought she was crazy.
Moral of the story – let snowboarders on Alta and this wouldn’t happen