snowboarders sue Alta, discriminating

Also it seems the people of Alta hate Teleskiers more than snowboarders.

Oh shit, that's not going to help the case.  Once they learn that split-boarding is the modern "cool" equivalent of telemarking, they're definitely not going to let 'em in  !

How would you feel if Paradise, being on federal land, was only open to snowshoers because, simply, it's been deemed better terrain for snowshoeing BY people whom snowshoe?

Is there any legitimate reason they should maintain their current policy?

Shouldn't an environmental impact study be the only reason the Fed's could close our land for certain equipment but not others? 80% of the terrain accessed by lifts at Alta are public land owned by tax payers!

Trevor

How would you feel if Paradise, being on federal land, was only open to snowshoers because, simply, it's been deemed better terrain for snowshoeing BY people whom snowshoe?

Is there any legitimate reason they should maintain their current policy?

Shouldn't an environmental impact study be the only reason the Fed's could close our land for certain equipment but not others? 80% of the terrain accessed by lifts at Alta are public land owned by tax payers!

Trevor

Just because it's Federal property it doesn't mean you (taxpayer) own it. They do dictate what mode of travel you can use on much of their property.

Is there any legitimate reason they should maintain their current policy?

Perhaps the area owner(s) feel(s) that they can attract enough of a market niche of skiers who like it the way it is? I presume that their lease gives them leeway around business decisions like this in order that they have some control over their ability to make the business work.

Just because it's Federal property it doesn't mean you (taxpayer) own it. They do dictate what mode of travel you can use on much of their property.

I agree! What policy does the FS dictate land use by though? Regardless of who owns it- state, FS, NP...

Environmental impact studies, right? It's science based. Is Alta not suited for snowboarding equipment based on science- regardless of past and current culture?

I feel like this is very interesting topic to observe! To see this voted not in favor of Alta, then Alta lose business and kill the jobs in that region, affect all the shreds and local shops in the nearest ski town would be terrible- but this is PUBLIC LAND we're talking about! It's very, very interesting to witness the outcome when it arrives.

We're not discussing mountain bikes and hiking trails... The decision will be nothing environmental or science based- it'll be a cultural or business based.

I wonder if people who DONT ski will make this decision in a court somewhere.

SUPRISE it's Judge Kim Kirchner.
#inefficient

It's not a FS decision...it's a lease-holder decision (Alta). The FS has no say in the matter at this point.