BOARDERS will stay banned from Alta Ski Area near Salt Lake City in Utah – one of the last three ski resorts in the US to outlaw the sport.

A federal judge threw out a lawsuit brought by four snowboarders and ruled that they did not have a constitutional right to ride boards in a private resort.

Alta lawyers said the decision to promote a ‘snowboarder-free experience’ to attract skiers was within the ski area’s rights and violated no constitutional rights – and skiers found the slopes more peaceful, safe and enjoyable because they didn’t have to worry about being hit by boarders. The boarders may now lodge an appeal.

The two other resorts that ban snowboarding are Deer Valley, also in Utah, and Mad River Glen in Vermont.