Aspen unfazed by Burtons risqu snowboard designs

ASPEN So far, Aspen appears unfazed by a new line of snowboards that depict images of scantily clad women.Vail Resorts has prohibited employees of its Vail, Breckenridge, Beaver Creek and Keystone resorts in Colorado and Californias Heavenly Mountain from using the boards while on duty, but no such ban has yet been enacted by the Aspen Skiing Co.I know there have been some discussions informally, said Skico spokesman Jeff Hanle. We dont have a policy one way or the other. I dont know if we will.Burtons new Love line of snowboards depicts four different Playboy models.The boards have been toned down since Radio Boardshop co-owner Travis McLain first saw them at a trade show in Denver last January, when his initial reaction was, Ooh, I dont know if I can do this, he recalled.But his Aspen shop carries the line, now featuring slightly less revealing images, he said, and has sold a couple of them.I think theyre cool. I dont think theyre offensive, McLain said.The snowboards, along with another Burton line featuring cartoons of self-mutilation, have proven controversial, though. Smugglers Notch in Vermont has also banned employees from using boards from either line, and Sugarbush, another Vermont ski resort, may also take action.The boards led to a demonstration last week outside Burtons headquarters in Burlington, Vt.I think the publicity has helped Burton more than its hurt, McLain said.Polar Revolution in Aspen also carries the Love line, though neither local shop carries the boards depicting self-mutilation.A couple of the Playmate boards are on display in Polar Revolutions windows, but they dont seem to draw much attention. No one has come in to complain, said shop co-owner Sammy Shea.A handful of passersby polled on Tuesday were split in their reactions, when asked for an opinion.As a woman, I think its offensive, said one individual.But, two other women said they were fine with the boards.No, it doesnt bother me at all, said one, a Snowmass Village resident.One man said, It bothers me. I gotta tell you, if my wife and kids saw that .Shea said he ordered 12 to 14 boards in the Love line and has sold about half of them. He has ordered more.Theyre selling to people who dont even snowboard, he said. They just want to put it on the wall.Obviously, its supposed to spark some controversy, but I think its tastefully done, Shea said of the images. I think you see about as much on the boards as you do on television.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.janet@aspentimes.com