Snowboarding Was Banned at Ski Resorts until the Early 1980s In the early 1980s, mostly only teenagers were riding snowboards. Because most major ski resorts catered to older crowds, snowboards were decidedly unpopular on the slopes. It wasn't until 1983-84 that the first major ski resort opened its slopes to snowboarders. Stratton Mountain Resort in Vermont became the trend-setter to lead the way, and now snowboarders make up approximately 30 percent of all business at major ski resorts.
