It’s been over 20 years since Aspen Skiing Co. finally lifted their ban opened Aspen Mountain to snowboarders on April 1, 2001 and its hard to believe there was ever a prohibition in the first place.
Much was made of the event at the time with newspaper headlines like The New York Times reporting “Snowboards End an Era on Aspen’s Main Slope” and the Aspen Times “Ajax Survives Rider Invasion.” The inclusion of snowboarding seems almost quant afterthought these days but for local shredders it was full on cultural clash.
Enjoy this short award winning documentary about the history of Aspen’s ban on snowboarding and its eventual inclusion featuring interviews from those who lived through it:
“A short film on the Free Ajax movement, the first snowboard shop in Aspen, and how snowboarders in Aspen fought to open Aspen Mountain to snowboarding.”
It’s well worth mentioning there are still three ski resort holdouts that maintain their ban on snowboarding.
Snowboard Ban Policies
Alta: Alta is a skier’s mountain—Snowboarding is not allowed. Alta Ski Area is for skiers and restricts the use of equipment other than skis for anyone who wants to ride the lifts and ski the mountain or play around the base areas.
Deer Valley: Is snowboarding allowed at Deer Valley? No. Deer Valley is a ski only resort.
Mad River Glen: In an effort to preserve the mountain’s unique character the shareholders of the Mad River Glen Cooperative have opted to not permit snowboarding at Mad River Glen. We are well aware that this policy is quite uncommon and we strive to make sure that people are aware of the policy prior to visiting.
Any think we will ever see snowboarders at Deer Vally, Alta or Mad River Glen?
Related: Remembering The Snowboarder Who Illegally Poached ALTA Ski Resort
