Riding the revolution: Snowboarding company takes stand against ski-only resorts

By Amanda Mears

March 6, 2008 | Swoooosh. Swooooosh. Swooosh. The sharp sound of a snowboard's razor sharp edge carving lazy "s" shapes into the glistening clean snow reverberates across a white slope.

William Wheeler, 21, flips his board so he is parallel to the mountain, his loose-fitting nylon jacket flapping noisily in the bitter wind as he slowly gains momentum. As Wheeler speeds toward a curved half-pipe, jutting out of the mountainside like a broken limb, his muscles tense in preparation for what he calls a "five-forty tail grab."

It's a matter of seconds, although every snowboarder knows it feels like an eternity, as Wheeler is propelled into the air. Suspended, he grabs his board as he spins exactly one and a half times, landing backwards with a thud in the fresh powder and gliding to a stop.

"The outdoors makes me feel alive, that's why I love snowboarding," Wheeler says, with a shrug implying the simplicity of his passion. He tightens the red bindings that are attached to a chipped snowboard, adorned with decals proudly displaying the various logos of all things snow related.

"This snowboard is my best friend," Wheeler says as he yanks up the black bandanna that covers half his face and springs back to his feet.

This is a typical Saturday afternoon for Wheeler, who said he has been snowboarding since he was 12. Wheeler said he hits the slopes at Brighton and Beaver Mountain as often as once a week during the winter season. Although he has come across a few snags this winter, including one of his boards getting stolen and a collapsed lung, Wheeler said he is "stoked" to be living near some of the nation's best peaks

However, two resorts Wheeler won't be visiting any time soon are Deer Valley and Alta. Due to a strict "no snowboarding" policy, the Utah resorts are two of four nationwide that have been permanently taken off the market for snowboarders looking to ride the well-groomed trails.

But where there are rules, there are rule-breakers, and one popular snowboarding company is calling for change.

In a mission statement, Burton founder Jake Burton calls for action against resorts that currently enforce a "no snowboarding" policy.

"There are four resorts in North America that still don't allow snowboarding," the mission statement reads in bold white text. "In the face of this blatant disregard for the Constitution of the United States of America, poaching isn't simply a peaceful form of protest; it's truly your patriotic duty. It's time we take a stand and let these elitists know that it's not acceptable to discriminate." This year, Burton announced that it would be offering a $5,000 cash reward to "poachers" who submit the best video clip of their experiences sneaking in snowboards and flying down trails usually marked "skiers only."

In order to qualify, applicants must show themselves boarding down a ski-only trail during regular business hours, while following the "Ten Commandments" of poaching. Included are rules such as "don't break the law" and "always buy a lift ticket."

So far, said Burton on the website, the response has been positive.

One submitted video shows two poachers high-fiving in the air as they trek up the steep mountainside in Mad River Glen, Vermont. Hidden at the top, under layers of snow, lay two snowboards that were planted the night before using a back route over the mountain. The mission is clear and the weapons are uncovered as the two boarders shout with joy at the anticipation of what they are about to get away with. They jump around like 16-year-olds that just got their first taste of freedom as they mockingly stretch and strap on their boards. They fly by angry skiers as the camera rolls, capturing their act of rebellion in action.

At the bottom of the slope the boarders are met with shouts from young peers who, although they are skiing, obviously support what they are trying to do. The mixed reaction is a subtle play on the generation gap that seems to separate the rebel boarders and the people who want them out of their resort.

In a blog covering the event, one of the anonymous poachers dishes on how they were able accomplish their mission.

"We arrived at Mad River Glen dressed in white from head to toe, just in time to get well uphill before the sun came up so as to avoid detection by the MAN," he wrote.

"It was a solid 1.5 hour hike to the summit, and under normal circumstances 1.5 hours at six in the morning after a Friday night bender would be a nightmare, but the energy of the crew pumped everyone's legs full of gnar juice."

Another film clip features phrases like "power to the poachers" and "stop the fascists" scrolling across a black screen as rock music pumps out a heavy beat. The screen fades to a young boy holding up a sticker from Utah's own Alta ski resort that reads "skiers only" and then promptly tearing it in half.

Wheeler said he has not been a part of any poaching groups mainly because of logistics and lack of support.

"I probably would, but I have no idea how to get a board into Alta," Wheeler said.

Whether it is to bring about change or just have a little fun, Wheeler said he shares many of the ideals held by poachers who are seemingly tired of the close-minded attitude from skiers and bad rap that comes with trying to bring change.

"Skiing is for old people," Wheeler said, echoing the sentiment found throughout the amateur documentaries on Burton's Web site. "They just think we are all punks who are going to disturb the peace or something."

USU student Deven Boyer said she is worried that the contest will only further the negative attitude against snowboards at Alta and Deer Valley.

"[Poachers] are just basically giving them more reason to hate us," said Boyer, who has been snowboarding for five years. Boyer said although she does not snowboard as often as she likes, she still considers herself a snowboarder and has to deal with all the stigma attached from people who don't respect the rules.

"I don't really care what other people do and I'm sure it's not actually hurting anyone, but what's the point?" Boyer said, "I doubt the ski resorts are going to change."

It's a touchy subject for ski resorts Alta and Deer Valley and both declined to comment on poachers. However, when asked about their policies and the future of snowboard prohibition, one Alta employee stated simply that surveys show skiers at Alta preferred it that way.

Whether or not the resorts will change their ways remains yet to be seen, however Wheeler said he is glad Burton is bringing poaching into the mainstream and grabbing media attention.

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