This slideshow argues why Alta should remain a ski resort for skiers only!

1. Alta is for Skiers
Gabi Dodson

2. Alta the Ski Resort
 “Alta is a place that many local and destination
skiers choose to call home”- Alta website
 Became a ski area during the winter of 1938-39
 First area to install a ski lift in Utah
 Alta does not allow any other type of recreational
winter sports except skiing
 No mechanized vehicles are allowed

3. Mission
Alta’s mission: “to protect and improve the well
being of Alta’s environment, ski industry and
community
(Skier: Matt Baydala, http://www.alta.com/the-mountain/photo-
galleries/picture-of-the-day/season/2012-2013)

4. Alta Pictures

5. The Lawsuit
 Wasatch Equality filed a lawsuit against Alta and U.S.
Forest Service for banning snowboarders
 Lawsuit by Rick Alden, Drew Hicken, Richard Varga,
Bjorn Leines and was led by lead attorney Jonathan R
Schofield
 Argue Alta violates the 14th amendment, specifically the
Equal Protection Clause
 They believe Alta is discriminating against a group of
people
 U.S. District Judge Dee Benson dismissed the case

6. Quote from Alta’s Lawyers
“It demeans the Constitution to suggest that the
amendment that protected the interests of former
slaves during the Reconstruction and James
Meredith and the Little Rock Nine must be
expanded to protect the interests of those who
engage in a particularized winter sports”

7. Quote from Government
Lawyers
“Federal officials make thousands of decisions about
which uses and activities are allowed and not allowed on
its vast land holdings. If courts accepted constitutional
challenges by small groups who desired use was barred,
officials would be constantly fighting these lawsuits”
ex.) National Elk Refuge in Wyoming
 Similar Controversy
 Fishing from the bank is banned
 Fly fishing is allowed
 Case was dismissed as well

8. Why does Alta Ban
Snowboarders?
• Business
• Alta has been known as a “skier only” resort
since the 1940’s
• Changing the brand would hurt the business
• “Alta bans snowboarders to promote safety
and to keep the resorts customers happy”

9. Why?
 The Terrain
 Snowboarders board sideways, skiers ski
straight down
 Boarders lift up the snow, making the slopes
icy which is more dangerous for skiers
 Boarding sideways creates a blind spot,
allowing more collisons to occur
 When stuck, boarders unbind which
creates postholes from their boots

10. “If skiers get stuck, they can
propel themselves forward with
their poles and not ruin the
terrain, snowboarders have to
remove their bindings and
walk, a pause that creates a
dangerous congestion” –Alta

11. Why?
 There are 14 ski resorts total in Utah
 12 of the resorts allow snowboarders and
skiers
 Alta and Deer Valley are the only resorts that
ban snowboarders
 Snowbird is right next door to Alta
 Snowbird allows skiers and snowboarders
 It is larger than Alta and has the exact
same type of slopes

12. Online Polls
 40% of Utah skiers claimed Alta was their favorite
resort because no snowboarders are allowed
 KSL Poll (2,822 Votes)
 Question: “Do you think Alta should allow
snowboarders at the resort?”
 “No, it is more dangerous for skiers to have
snowboarders there” 66% (1,862 votes)
 “It’s discriminatory if they don’t allow
snowboarders” 28% (800 votes)
 “Unsure, I don’t ski or snowboard” 6% (160
votes)

13. Dangers
 Snowboarding injuries are more common than skier
injuries
 Proved by a recent study-injuries were determined in
(mean days between injuries)
 The lower the number, the higher the injury rate
 Snowboarders numbers were 345 while skiers were
425
 Wrist injuries were more common in
snowboarders, specifically 27.6% of boarders hurt
their wrists while only 2.8% of skiers did
 In the terrain park, 21.8% snowboarders were injured
while only 6.5% of skiers were hurt

14. Charts from Other Studies

15. Charts

16. Example of an Out of Control
Snowboarder
Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvSzwGq0m5Y

17. More Collisions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K7E5NfLxEg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CsPmWz7JSQ

18. Personal Experience
 Grew up skiing
 Knocked out by a snowboarder at age 7
 Moved to Mississippi
 Moved back in 4th grade
 First time back skiing, I was hit again
 Switched to Alta in 5th grade
 Tried snowboarding in 7th grade
 Scorpion, did not enjoy it as much, out of control
 Alta is my favorite resort
 I feel safer, not constantly worried
 I can enjoy my time skiing
 Nothing wrong with snowboarders!

19. Conclusion
 Alta should continue to enforce their ban on skiers
 It is safer for the skiers and makes the customers more
comfortable
 There are 12 other world class resorts in Utah for
snowboarders to attend
 It keeps the terrain clean for skiers
 Snowboarders can always make a resort and ban
skiers
 Alta has always been for skiers, why change now?

20. Thank you!