Keystone Resort will be adding an Airboard program at their ski area. Ann-Elise Emerson, who is launching the 2-year-old Swiss product in North America through her company, Emo-Gear, began her snow bodyboarding career out of bounds near Alpine Meadows, Tahoe, California in March, 2003. The following week, she had meetings set up with several major Colorado Resorts, Keystone included.
“Those first meetings showed me the potential Airboards offer, Emerson says. The demos were incredible – all the riders went up on the full mountain – everything from groomers, powder, moguls, terrain features, and even in the half-pipe. The resorts immediately started thinking how best to introduce the new sport.”
Keystone spokesperson Mike Lee says, “I got to test one last year… They are so fast it's amazing. My patrol escort couldn't catch me — and he's a ripping skier.”
This winter, Keystone will offer Airboards as part of its night-activities program, Adventure Point. Riders will be issued head lamps and blinking ankle bracelets and take tours down Dercum Mountain, formerly known as Keystone Mountain.
