SNOWBOARDERS RIDING THE SNOW SPORT WAVE OF THE FUTURE

     Vail and most other major resorts in the Rockies are
starting to welcome snowboarding as the "salvation of the alpine
winter sports industry," according to the WASHINGTON POST.  With
the number of snowboarders increasing each year, ski resorts are
moving away from the "brink of economic decline" as the
generation that powered skiing's growth in the '60s and '70s
ages.  Currently, snowboarders make up 13% of ski area visitors,
but that is growing by 17% per year.  This year, snowboards
accounted for almost 40% of wholesale equipment orders.  National
Ski Areas Assoc President Michael Berry: "Snowboarding is the
growth element of the sport right now" (Tom Kenworthy, WASHINGTON
POST, 3/21).