Park City's Inaugural Snowboard Season
Todd Harris
(April 16, 1997)

"Snowboarding adds a new dimension for us, this was a transition year but there was no down side to having snowboarders here," said Charlie Lansche, director of communications and public relations. "We had no serious problems and the change in policy couldn't have been easier."

The first season of allowing snowboarders on the slopes at Park City got an unusually early start with opening day coming on October 26th, and from the minute the lifts started running the snowboarding community made its presence known. "Some of the first people in line were snowboarders who got to the lifts an hour before they opened, this told us that the snowboarders in the area were curious to see what we had to offer," Lansche said.

Early numbers showed almost 50 percent of Park City's clientele were snowboarders, Lansche adds that season ending figures will be more like 12-15% snowboarders. For Park City these are numbers to build Lansche says, "We knew that we would loose some long time skiing season pass holders who took this addition of snowboarding as a last straw, but we felt that we were excluding family members who wanted to snowboard on our mountain- and this is a family destination resort, so the change had to be made, and we have no regrets."

Another obstacle the Resort was expecting was the attitude of snowboarders who might boycott going to Park City because of the resorts past stance of not allowing the snowboarding client on their slopes. "We knew that there might be this type of attitude among a small number of riders, but they are just cutting off their nose to spite their face- its water under the bridge," says Lansche.

And so far he seems to be correct. The fact that Park City Mountain Resort is the largest resort in Utah and is making in upwards of 7 million dollars in additions and improvements makes it a hard place to ignore.

"I really like the way this place is laid out, there are no dead spots or flats you have to deal with and the terrain is awesome," said Michael Phillips, a resident of Salt Lake City. "I think once the word is out that Park City is cool with snowboarders this place will kick."

Phillips isn't the only one high on Park City's potential for snowboarding. Even locals seem to be fine with the change. "I think its great to see both the young and old taking to snowboarding at Park City," said Park City Orthodontist Dr. Jeff Sumsion, a lifelong skier and new found snowboarder.

Park City will get into hosting snowboard competitions as well. Maybe even hosting a World Cup event down the line in preparation for the 2002 Winter Games. "We have a lot of experience hosting skiing World Cups, but snowboarding competitions are something we will need to focus on so we are totally prepared and ready to handle the games in 5 years," Lansche said.

On tap for the 97-98 season is the expansion of the "terrain park," plus the addition of two more six-packs bringing the resorts total number of high-speed six-passenger chairs to three, making Park City the only mountain resort in North America with three or more hi-speed six passenger chairs.

Park City will most likely add a few dollars to the price of next years lift ticket taking them to the $50 mark. Lansche and the Park City Mountain Resort feel that this will be money well spent by both their skiing and snowboarding clientele.

For more information call 801-649-8111 or check out their web site at http://www.pcski.com.