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They were allowed at one time, but... Posted by IrieTom [Email]  (#1032)  [Profile/Gallery]
(more from IrieTom) on Wed, 29 Oct 2003 15:13:51
In Reply to: Re: MadRiver + No Snowboards = teh suck, patrickem, Wed, 29 Oct 2003 11:55:28 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
Unfortunately, the skiers and snowboarders couldn't co-exist peacefully. I've been snowboarding for ~15 seasons (this'll be my 31st winter of skiing), and have actually snowboarded at MRG. This is the story as I understand it:
Mad River Glen has always been laid-back, non-corporate, and open-minded to new ways of having fun on snow. A significant percentage of skiers there are pin-heads (telemark skiiers), and when snowboarding was in its infancy (and NOT allowed at most ski areas, MRG welcomed snowboarders with open arms. A few problems soon cropped up. Most importantly, the exit area from the single chair at the top of the mountain is completely level. Even expert snowboarders were having trouble getting out of the way of their chair while exiting. The chair, which has been in use there since 1949, is now the only single chairlift in the USA, and is one of (if not) the oldest chairlifts on this continent. It was not a good idea to keep hitting the emergency stop for the chairlift every time a snowboarder tried to get off. Soon, snowboards were not allowed on the single chair.
As snowboarding increased in popularity, there were quite a few incidents between skiers and snowboarders. Skiers weren't familiar with the fact that snowboarders have a blind spot to one side, instead of directly behind them. Snowboarders, in general, had quite a bit less control than skiers. This led to collisions on the slopes, both physical and cultural. After enough complaints, snowboarding was only allowed on weekdays.
Snowboarders, feeling snubbed, started to harass Betsy Pratt, the owner of the mountain. This led to the total ban on snowboards. For a few years, MRG offered free ski or tele demonstration equipment to any snowboarders who showed up unaware of the ban.
For snowboard-friendly terrain very similar to MRG, try Sugarbush. It is just to the south on the same ridgeline, and has plenty of good trees and steeps. Also, I'd recommend Stowe and Smuggler's Notch.
P.S.- the parking lot at Mad River Glen usually has plenty of well-worn SAABs in attendance.
posted by 24.195.5...
, Tue, 28 Oct 2003 22:20:12, Thu, 30 Oct 2003 00:17:33
, Wed, 29 Oct 2003 08:49:39
, Wed, 29 Oct 2003 10:33:39, Wed, 29 Oct 2003 07:53:38, Wed, 29 Oct 2003 15:19:16, Wed, 29 Oct 2003 16:18:09, Wed, 29 Oct 2003 09:32:34, Wed, 29 Oct 2003 15:13:51 <-- Viewing This Message, Thu, 30 Oct 2003 11:34:04, Wed, 29 Oct 2003 12:54:58
, Wed, 29 Oct 2003 05:53:16
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