Aspen Opens to Goofy Footers
4/1/99
by Shane O'Leary

The lack of green runs on the lower slopes of Aspen Mountain have left Aspen Skiing Company (SkiCo.) executives in a quandary: How to protect their well-heeled skiing clientele while opening the mountain up to everyone–including snowboarders?

However, in the wake of year-long research project, SkiCo. thinks it has an answer. "It’s all about blind spots," says Mountain Manager Kirk Wilco. "What we’ve found is that regular-footed riders, because of the natural funnel shape at the bottom of Aspen Mountain, are more likely to produce the serious accidents we wish to avoid. However, we see no problems with allowing goofy-footed riders on the hill."

The mountain is scheduled to open to snowboarders in the 2000 season, but that’s contingent upon finding the right testing mechanism for stance preference.

"We’ve thought about creating an extremely slippery path of linoleum flooring next to the ticket booth," says Wilco. "Snowboarders will be asked to slide across this flooring in their socks. If your left foot is forward, you need not apply."

Other testing mechanisms under consideration include a series of gears and levers that will throw a snowboarder against a wall, then carefully measure which foot hits the floor first.

"We're extremely excited about opening to 20 percent of the snowboard market," said SkiCo's Killer Russell. "We may do thing's half assed, but at least we're getting both feet in."