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Poach, snowboard, video and win $5000

by Abha Malpani (RSS feed) on Jan 2nd 2008 at 10:30AM

There are four resorts in North America that still prohibit snowboarding: Mad River Glen, Vermont; Deer Valley, Utah; Alta Ski Area, Utah; and Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico.

Encouraging a "peaceful protest" against the ban, famous snowboarding equipment company Burton is sponsoring a contest where you must to go to one or all of these resorts, snowboard, and submit a video of it. The best video in each resort will win $5000.

Contests are not meant to be easy, but I don't think this would even be possible! It's hard to hide your snowboard so I don't see you getting past the entrance; if you do manage that, how would you go up the ski-lift without being asked to leave your snowboard behind? The only "ski-resort" I have been to is the one at a mall in Dubai, so I'm the last person qualified to even think about smart ways to enter a snowboarding prohibited center, but if any of you can enlighten, I'd be curious to know.

Also, other than the fact that snowboarding packs the snow in a way not very suitable for skiing, and the general complaints from traditional skiiers, what are the other reasons that justify the banning of snowboarding?

It seems like the competition was launched end of November 2007, and there are no videos up yet. For those who are excited by events that make you eat forbidden fruit, the deadline for this one is March 1, 2008. Videos should be 5-minutes long and in *.flv format.

Make sure you read the "Poaching Commandments"; full details on how to enter can be found here.

Filed under: Activism, Skiing, Gear, North America, United States, Video

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Robbie Feb 24th 2008 12:38PM

Its actually very easy to do. 3 of the 4 resorts are on US Forest Service land meaning its free for use to the public. Alta is next to another resort that allows snowboarding so they can take a lift from that resort cross over on the top of the mountain then snowboard down Alta.

You actually don't have to hide anything. Most poachers take a 2 hour hike up the mountain. No lifts involved.

MD Jan 2nd 2008 11:07AM

Actually, Taos is allowing snowboarders starting March 19.

http://www.firsttracksonline.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=3472

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