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Board Silly

Story by Steve Tannen

Exactly when does a fad become part of the fabric of the society it invades?

In 1958, the Wham-O company introduced the Frisbee. A half century later, the discs are used for variations of golf and football and still make a neat fetch toy for your pooch. Of course, most crazes (like the pet rock, disco, and hopefully reality TV) eventually run their course and become an answer in a game of Trivial Pursuit.

But not snowboarding. It’s clearly another exception to the rule. The roots of the sport can be traced back to 1965, when a man named Sherman Poppen connected two skis to make it easier for his daughter to snow surf down a hill outside their home in Michigan. He ended up licensing his contraption, called the Snurfer, and bringing it into production. More than a million were sold at toy stores around the country.

 snowboarding lessons

Less than 20 years later, enthusiasts could choose their favorite brand of snowboard from hot companies like Burton, Sims, and Barfoot.

In the beginning, ski purists were aghast, with many resorts banning the practice. However, I nearly fell out of my ergonomically correct chair when I learned that in 2000, snowboarding was the fastest growing sport in the United States. It grew by more than 50 percent from the previous year, while traditional skiing increased by only 6 percent. And the success and outright domination by Team USA at last February’s Winter Olympics in Italy has apparently served as a new detonator for this explosion.

So if you travel this winter as a seasoned snowboarder or someone willing to give it a try, I’ve located some terrific spots in our region to hit the slopes with the rest of the dudes and dudettes.

The fastest growing sport in the U.S., snowboarding has won the hearts of winter sports enthusiasts.

Alaska

snowboarding mapAlyeska Resort

Let’s begin the journey at the Alyeska Resort, 40 miles south of Anchorage in magnificent Girdwood, Alaska. This sensational "free ride" mountain has lots of powder for a wide open Alpine experience, and the resort takes serious pride in being the hometown ski area of Rosey Fletcher, who at Torino became the first American woman to medal in the parallel giant slalom.

On a year-round basis, snowboarding rentals and lessons make up nearly 45 percent of the business at Alyeska. Dur-ing midweek, as high as 70 percent of those on the mountain are boarding. The resort doesn’t miss a trick, offering a 304-room hotel that boasts ski-in and ski-out access, two fine-dining restaurants and one that is family-oriented, a fitness center, sauna, and a saltwater pool. Their USASA (United States of America Snowboard Association) club offers great opportunities to hone the competitive spirit. How about a chance to run the BX course after a competition?

Alyeska offers special pricing for various age groups (you can ski there for $10 a day if you’re under seven or over 70) plus season passes and sweet package deals. (907-754-7669; www.alyeskaresort.com).

british columbia

Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort

Heading south, we land at Whistler Blackcomb, a breathtaking setting in British Columbia where the slopes are filled with nearly as many snowboarders as skiers. With an average of 33 feet of snow per year, these scenic mountains host lots of snowboard movie shoots and contests. Whistler Blackcomb also catches some of the biggest names around with the black diamond Highest Level Terrain Park. They’ve recently spent $22 million as part of a capital investment project that includes a new Symphony Express chair lift that accesses some of the most spectacular terrain on both Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. The resort offers packages as well as daily, seasonal, and other passes. “Discover Whistler Days,” offered at various times during the season, are weeks where you can save 40 percent on lessons and rentals.

Whistler has a variety of accommodations, from the upper-crust Four Seasons to a $40 per night hostel. Whistler Village itself has more than 90 bars and restaurants (plus another 17 on-mountain establishments), more than 200 retail shops, and 115 hotels. It was built for pedestrians only, so walk around to your heart’s content. (800-766-0449; www.whistlerblackcomb.com).

Whistler at sunset

Whistler Fire & Ice

washington

Mt. Baker Ski Area

Halfway to Seattle you’ll find Mt. Baker Ski Area, host to the Mt. Baker Legendary Banked Slalom. Now in its 22nd year, this race is one of the longest-running snowboard events in the world. Scheduled this year for February 9 through 11, the Slalom features 275 racers from around the globe, ranging from young local amateurs to top international competitors.

As one of the first ski areas to permit snowboarding, Mt. Baker was way ahead of the curve, and many boarders still consider it a mecca for the sport. Their annual snowfall of 647 inches is more than any other ski area in North America! Mt. Baker issues single day passes, but does not offer multi-day packages. Season passes are available. There is no charge for kids aged 6 and under, and fifth-graders enrolled in their Fifth Graders Ride Free program can ski free all winter. Adult rates vary, with nice rates for students, seniors, and super seniors.

Make a note that there are no accommodations at the ski area, with the closest ones 17 miles away in the town of Glacier. There you will enjoy cabins, condos, bed-and-breakfasts, and motels. (360-734-6771; www.mtbaker.us).

montana

Bid SkyBig Sky Resort

Let’s leap east all the way into Big Sky, Montana, landing at the Big Sky Resort. You want to talk room to roam? This place is huge! With more than 3800 acres and only about 2000 riders a day, lift lines are non-existent. Big Sky boasts a variety of terrain parks beloved by snowboarders, and packs the only super-pipe in the region. The vertical drop of 4350 feet is the second largest in the country, and to add to the spaciousness, the resort’s 20 lifts are spread over three mountains.

Credit the powers that be for not resting on their laurels with all this. The Dakota Territories, a new bowl that offers above-tree-line skiing, opened this season. This is on top of their unique marketing idea from last year, where they combined resources with neighboring Moonlight Basin to offer customers an Interconnect ticket. This collaboration grows the area to more than 5500 acres! As general manager Taylor Middleton says, “The biggest just got bigger.” Big Sky offers a variety of lodging options, from slope-side economy to four-bedroom condos. (800-548-4486; www.bigskyresort.com).

idaho

SchweitzerSchweitzer Mountain Resort

Moving west into beautiful Sandpoint, Idaho, we arrive at Schweitzer, the Mountain on the Lake. The view of Lake Pend Oreille and Montana’s Cabinet Mountains is off the charts. Schweitzer features 2900 acres of some of the top terrain in the Northwest, with a pair of open bowls and a vertical of 2100 feet. The resort also takes pride in one of the area’s best Park & Pipes with some sick jumps, rails, and other features. The folks in charge have stayed ahead of the snowboarding curve, recognizing the growth and adding necessary terrain, including features that will appeal to less experienced riders. The medal haul of Hannah Teter, Shaun White, Seth Wescott, and those masterful ‘06 snowboarding American Olympians has absolutely added more boarders to their slopes.

Schweitzer offers some unique ways to save dough with full and half-day pricing, plus their Mountain Size Benefit Program, which gives season pass holders and Great Escape card holders discounts on restaurants, lodging, entertainment, and more.

In Schweitzer Village you’ll find accommodations loaded with amenities such as heated outdoor pools, hot tubs, and great workout facilities. You will lack for nothing at Schweitzer. (800-831-8810; www.schweitzer.com).

oregon

Mt AshlandMt. Ashland

We conclude our journey with two locales in my home state, starting with Mt. Ashland Ski Area in southern Oregon. Snowboarding flourishes here, and the ski area hosts a half dozen high school competitions in February and March that are open to the public.

Mt. Ashland is about 70 percent upper-intermediate to advanced terrain, and riders love to challenge their famous bowl. Fortunately, they do cater to all skill levels, with a beginner park by the main lodge where you can learn the basics of jibbing and jumping, an intermediate park on the Comer chairlift, and the Dream run at the advanced park off the Ariel chairlift. Rick Saul, in their marketing department, told me he’s noticed a new generation of riders all about who can huck (throw themselves wildly into the air) the farthest, rather than focus on skill and technique.

Mt. Ashland partners with 14 lodges within a half-hour drive of the ski area, all with excellent lift-lodging packages. The resort takes pride in being community-owned and not corporate. In nearby Ashland, you can enjoy more than 70 pubs, restaurants, microbreweries, and nightclubs. (541-482-2897; www.mtashland.com).

Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort

East of Portland you’ll find the Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort. Snowboarding here is unique, as the whole mountain is a natural terrain park that provides playful, undulating runs. Mt. Hood Meadows has an all-star crew that works to make your Paradise Parks freestyle experience among the best in this part of the country. And the operators really make an effort dollar-wise too, with special pricing for those in the military, juniors, seniors, and college students. They also have affiliations with retailers that can get you some nice deals. According to their marketing department, the growth of snowboarding at their facility has been dominated by the younger crowd, but you will see the occasional 50-something out there “shredding.” (503-337-2222; www.skihood.com).

Northwest Travel Magazine January/February 2007

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