Despite snowboarding’s rising popularity over the past two decades, some resorts remain open only for skiers. Many resorts gave up the "no snowboarding" rule, but it’s unlikely all of them will do so as the prohibition of snowboarders is a major selling point for many visitors to these ski-only resorts.
Deer Valley Resort
Ski Magazine ranks Deer Valley the number one ski resort in North America. Located in Park City, Utah, it’s known for its impeccably groomed trails spanning over 2,000 skiable acres. Deer Valley prides itself on guest service, offering everything from ski valets to freshly cut flowers in the bathrooms. They also limit the number of lift tickets sold daily to eliminate the crowds encountered at other resorts.
Another unique aspect of Deer Valley is the on-mountain food. Rather than the standard cafeteria fare such as hot dogs and cheese fries offered by most resorts, Deer Valley has a natural buffet and a large selection of gourmet soups, sandwiches, salads, and entrees. Deer Valley tends to be more expensive than most resorts and has a wide selection of luxury accommodations, but there are ways to save money on your next ski vacation here.
Alta Resort
This ski area, also in Utah, is adjacent to the southern edge of Salt Lake City. In sharp contrast to Deer Valley, steep, ungroomed runs characterize Alta's terrain. This bare bones resort is a favorite among locals and retains a seventies-style ski bum atmosphere.
Alta first opened in 1939 and is among the oldest ski resorts in the U.S. It offers skiers a joint pass valid at both Alta and adjacent Snowbird Resort. Alta , located in Little Cottonwood Canyon, consistently receives the highest amount of snowfall in Utah.
Mad River Glen
You'll find this ski-only resort in the Green Mountains of Vermont. Known for having the most difficult terrain in the eastern United States, Mad River Glen grooms very little of its terrain and boasts one of two remaining single chairlifts in North America. It’s run as a cooperative, where individuals can purchase shares and participate in decisions affecting the resort.
Originally Mad River Glen was open to snowboarders as well as skiers, but they soon discovered the single chairlift was not safe for snowboarders to unload. After a confrontation between local snowboarders and the management of the resort regarding use of the single chairlift, they were banned altogether.
Taos Ski Valley
The town and ski area of Taos are in the Southern Rocky Mountains in the northernmost part of New Mexico. With a base elevation of over 9,000 feet, this resort offers over 100 trails of varying degrees of difficulty.
Taos is a family-owned resort with the highest-ranked ski school in the country. On March 19, 2008, Taos Ski Valley will officially open to snowboarders after a long campaign to do so.
