Why did many U.S. ski resorts initially ban snowboarders?

In the mid-1980s, many U.S. ski resorts prohibited snowboarding due to widespread disdain from traditional skiers and the country-club class toward the emerging sport. This resistance was fueled by a cultural divide: the nonconformist, skateboarding-inspired style and dress of early snowboarders clashed sharply with the traditional aesthetic of established ski resorts.1

At the few resorts that did permit the activity, riders were often required to pass special competency tests before being allowed on the slopes. The tension began to subside as the sport gained popularity and insurance companies eventually allowed resorts to cover snowboarding under their existing liability policies. Ultimately, the skiing community came to acknowledge the significant contribution of snowboarding to the revival of the snow resort industry.1