Aspen to welcome boarders

The famous Aspen ski resort in Colorado, which has zealously been keeping one of its four fields exclusively for skiers, has finally given in.

From April 1, the Ajax field on Aspen Mountain will be open to snowboarders as well.

"For years we believed that a skiers-only mountain was what the market wanted," said Pat O'Donnell, chief executive officer of the Aspen Skiing Company.

"But we have come to understand that snowboarding across our four mountains is the right way to welcome the next generation of snow-sports enthusiasts."

Only a few of the world's skifields are now exclusively for skiers.