In 1988, Vail became Colorado's first major resort to welcome snowboarders, mostly at the behest of former Vail/Beaver Creek owner George Gillett's teen-age sons. Snowboarding was originally relegated to a limited area of Beaver Creek, but boarders are now welcomed all over both Vail and Beaver Creek mountains.

It takes less time to get good at snowboarding than almost any other snow sport. After only about three days, most new shredders are carving turns and trying their first tricks.

In Vail, riding has been enhanced with several new sites. Dragon Pipe was designed to create a super pipe that's 15 feet deep with 17-foot transitions. The Golden Peak area includes two half-pipes (one for experts and one for beginners), a yurt and a new sound system. Burton Super Center opened last January at the top of Vail Mountain. It's a high-tech demo center where intermediate and advanced riders can try out the newest boots, boards and bindings. It is also designed as a hangout for riders, complete with a Sony Playstation and televisions, a deck and a mini-jib park.

Over the past few years, ski companies have seen the exploding growth of snowboarding as riders of all ages begin to take up the sport. This, combined with the millions of new dollars the sport generates, has made it more acceptable to the traditional ski industry.