HOLIDAYS : Fight for the Slopes : Thrill-seeking snow-boarders are crowding out skiers and creating safety concerns at state resorts.

Ever since snow boarding provided an adventurous alternative to the question “To ski or not to ski?” making one’s way down the mountain has never been quite the same.

Picture yourself traversing the steepest of slopes, a mogul ahead when . . . whoosh! , a snow-boarder clad in fluorescent green garb streaks across your path, forcing your skis to cross as you maneuver to avoid falling face down into packed powder.

It happens--some skiers say to a dangerous degree.

“The only complaints we’ve ever had up here are from people who were having problems with snow-boarders,” said Mary Anderson, director of Mt. Waterman above La Canada Flintridge. “They’re unpredictable. They come out of nowhere.”

All of which has forced ski resorts in recent years to examine measures that can provide peaceful coexistence between skiers and their generally more aggressive, thrill-seeking, colorfully dressed counterparts on snow boards. That might be especially important on Southern California’s highly accessible slopes.

“We tend to see more conflicts in Southern California than out of state or at major resorts,” said Keith Potter, sales representative for Sims Snowboards. “A lot of kids say, ‘Let’s get off our skateboards today and go snow boarding at Mountain High!’ ”

Sources industrywide continue to report that the popularity of snow boarding, already the biggest thing to hit winter sports since man-made snow, continues to snowball since the sport began to catch on in the mid-1980s.

Sims, the second-largest snow board manufacturer in the United States, has increased production from 25% to 30% this season, Potter said, and still is unable to meet consumer demand. “It’s a tremendous growth curve.”

Meanwhile, popular resorts that have given the cold shoulder to snow-boarders for years are increasingly opening their slopes to skiing’s counterculture. A major breakthrough occurred last season when Mammoth Mountain permitted snow boarding for the first time.

“It’s important for the ski industry to recognize snow boarding because that’s where the growth is,” said Fran Richards, marketing manager for Transworld Snowboarding Magazine in Oceanside. “The bottom line is, they’re going to have to deal with snow-boarders.”

Locally, methods vary.

At Bear Mountain, Mt. Waterman, Snow Summit and Snow Valley, snow-boarders are permitted to use any trail, however, Bear Mountain and Snow Summit feature snow-board parks where snow-boarders are encouraged to do their thing. The parks offer terrain sculptured to the likes of snow-boarders, such as half-pipes, rail slides and jumps.

“It’s a designated area where they can push their limits,” said Mike Parillo, co-designer of Bear Mountain’s Outlaw Snowboard Park, which opened last season.

Chris Riddle, director of Snow Summit, which opened its snow board park three years ago, said the resort has formed a snow-board safety patrol to emphasize slope courtesy and, if necessary, escort rambunctious snow-boarders off the mountain.

“We’ve produced a little flyer on the do’s and don’ts of snow boarding,” said Riddle, adding that Snow Summit is planning to keep skiers and snow-boarders on the same mountain.

At Mountain High, snow boarding this season is permitted on only one of its two mountains. “There were too many complaints from downhill skiers,” spokeswoman Tracy Weaver said. “We only allow snow boarding on the west mountain.”

Ski Sunrise permitted snow boarding for 15 years before closing its slopes to snow-boarders last season. Snow boarding will remain off-limits this season.

“The last few years, it had really become a problem,” co-owner Mark Ward said. “We have a lot of families who say they’ve had bad experiences at other areas. I don’t know if it’s the majority or the minority of snow-boarders, but some of them don’t seem to be very responsible.”

Age might have something to do with it. Last season, 45% of the skiing population between ages 6 to 17 were snow-boarders, according to a study by American Sports Data in Rochester, N. Y. Only 5% of the population 18 and older were snow-boarders, the study said.

Potter said conflicts on the slopes have more to do with the generation gap than choice of equipment. And only a handful of snow-boarders are reckless, he said.

“The problems created by snow-boarders are the problems created by the people of that age,” he said. “There’s a lot of that skateboarder attitude. It’s kind of the anti-society counterculture that goes along with rock music and that age. That’s why the clothes are such a big part of snow boarding. But the majority of snow-boarders are responsible, while there are only a few rebels.”

Richards of Transworld Snowboarding Magazine agreed, adding that snow-boarders are no more to blame for collisions than skiers. Richards quoted from a recent study by United Ski Industries of America that said skiers are more than twice as likely to hit another person, tower or tree than are snow-boarders. Moreover, the rate of injury for snow-boarders is roughly the same as in Alpine skiing, the study said.

Richards also added that studies indicate a growing popularity of snow boarding among adults, which should help to smooth adversarial relationships between skiers and snow-boarders.

Where to Ski

Bear Mountain

Location: Big Bear Lake.

Information: (714) 585-2519.

Snow: (818) 764-8888.

Terrain: 25% beginner, 50% intermediate, 25% expert.

Elevation: 8,805 feet.

Vertical drop: 1,665 feet.

Longest run: 2 miles.

Number of runs: 27.

Number of lifts: One detachable quad, one quad chair, two surface, three triple, four double.

Lift prices: $37 adults, $20 children 12 and younger, $21 seniors 65 and older, $28 young adults (ages 13 to 22; midweek only), $31 military (midweek only).

Food and refreshments: Chalet cafeteria and bar, pizza bar, barbecue, slope-side barbecue.

Lodging: (800) BEAR-MTN.

Packages: Learn-to-ski $29 midweek, $39 weekends. Ski-snow board, family, student, senior, military, handicapped, group and weekend packages available. Snow-board school, handicapped ski school, junior ski center (ages 4 to 12). Ski lessons $20.

Miscellaneous: Equipment rentals $16. New skier welcome center, repair shop, lockers.

Directions: San Bernardino Freeway to Interstate 215 to California 30 to California 18. Two miles south of Big Bear.

Features: With four mountain peaks to explore, Bear Mountain has Southern California’s highest skiing elevation and largest vertical drop. The resort invested $2.5 million this season toward improvements to runs and snow-making capability. Bear Mountain’s two-mile run remains the largest among local resorts. Added this season are a frequent-skier program and slope-side junior play area.

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Mt. Baldy

Location: Mt. Baldy Road.

Information: (714) 982-0800.

Snow: (714) 981-3344.

Terrain: 20% beginner, 40% intermediate, 40% expert.

Elevation: 8,600 feet.

Vertical drop: 2,100 feet.

Longest run: 1 1/2 miles.

Number of runs: 25.

Number of lifts: Four double.

Lift prices: $33 adults, $20 children 12 and younger, $475 adult season pass, $275 children season pass, $325 midweek season pass (adults only).

Food and refreshments: Cafeteria, barbecue bar.

Lodging: Various accommodations nearby.

Packages: Learn-to-ski package includes two-hour lesson, lift ticket and rental for $35 midweek, $45 weekends. Reservations recommended: (714) 982-0800. Weekend and holiday “Kiddie Ski School” (under 12) $15, $20 with equipment rental.

Miscellaneous: Equipment rental $15, two-hour ski lessons $15.

Directions: San Bernardino Freeway to Mountain Avenue, north to ski area.

Features: Mt. Baldy’s 400 skiable acres is the largest area of any resort in Southern California. Expanded snow-making this season assures good coverage from base to top of mountain.

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Mt. Waterman

Location: California 2, Angeles National Forest.

Information: (818) 440-1041.

Snow: (818) 790-2002.

Terrain: 20% beginner, 40% intermediate, 40% expert.

Elevation: 8,035 feet.

Vertical drop: 1,085 feet.

Longest run: 1 mile.

Number of runs: 23.

Number of lifts: Three double.

Lift prices: $30 adults, $14 children 12 and younger. One child admitted free with paying adult. Prices subject to change.

Food and refreshments: fast-food chili, hamburgers, hot dogs and stew.

Lodging: None available.

Packages: Learn-to-ski, $16. Beginner package includes lesson, lift ticket and rental for $25.

Miscellaneous: Equipment rental, $15.

Directions: Foothill Freeway to California 2 in La Canada Flintridge, northeast 35 miles on Angeles Crest Highway.

Features: Mt. Waterman does not have snow-making capability, so good snowfall is a must. Last season, Mt. Waterman had it. “Last year we had the greatest snow we’ve ever had up here,” Director Mary Anderson said. Accessibility is Mt. Waterman’s attraction: it is only 58 miles from downtown Los Angeles.

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Mountain High East and West

Location: California 2, near Wrightwood.

Information: (619) 249-5477.

Terrain: 25% beginner, 50% intermediate, 25% expert.

Elevation: 8,400 feet.

Vertical drop: 1,600 feet.

Longest run: 1 1/2 miles.

Number of runs: 42.

Number of lifts: Six double, three triple, one quad, one detachable quad.

Lift prices: $36.75 adults, $15 children 12 and younger. Children 10 and younger ski free with paying adult (one child per adult). Prices subject to change.

Food and refreshments: Four restaurants, two bars.

Lodging: 11 cabins available. Call (619) 249-5477.

Packages: Midweek student and senior discount to be arranged. All-day children’s program (ages 4 to 8) for $35 includes lunch. Learn-to-ski package includes rentals and lift ticket, $25 for adults midweek, $20 for children ages 9 to 12. Weekends: adults $38, children $25.

Miscellaneous: Equipment rental $18. Snow boards and snow-board boots $36. Night skiing 3 to 10 p.m., $26 for adults, $13 for children.

Directions: Interstate 15 to California 138 to California 2. Eight miles west to ski area.

Features: Extensive snow-making on 200 skiable acres makes Mountain High among Southern California’s most popular ski areas. A high-speed detachable quad lift that opened three years ago takes skiers to the summit in six minutes. Snow boarding permitted on west mountain only.

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Ski Sunrise

Location: California 2, near Wrightwood.

Information and snow: (619) 249-6150.

Terrain: 25% beginner, 45% intermediate, 30% expert.

Elevation: 7,600 feet.

Vertical drop: 800 feet.

Longest run: 1 mile

Number of runs: 16 on 100 acres

Number of lifts: one quad, two pomas, one rope.

Lift prices: $30 adults, $15 children ages 6 to 12. Children 5 and younger and seniors 65 and older ski free. Prices good every day.

Food and refreshments: Snack bar, cafeteria, barbecue, beer and wine bar.

Lodging: Various accommodations nearby in Wrightwood.

Packages: Learn-to-ski package includes lesson, lift ticket and rental: adults $40, students $35, children $30.

Miscellaneous: Equipment rentals: adults $18, children $12. Ski shop. No snow boarding.

Directions: Antelope Valley Freeway to California 138 to California 2 to Table Mountain Road.

Features: Ski Sunrise enters its 20th season as a place tailored for beginners, families and the take-it-slow-on-the-slopes types.

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Snow Summit

Location: East of Big Bear Lake .

Information: (714) 866-5766.

Snow: (714) 866-4621.

Terrain: 10% beginner, 65% intermediate, 25% expert.

Elevation: 8,200 feet.

Vertical drop: 1,200 feet.

Longest run: 1 1/4 miles.

Number of runs: 19 miles worth.

Number of lifts: Five double, three triple, three quad.

Lift prices: $38.75 adults, $19.75 children 12 and younger, $24.75 senior citizens 60 and older.

Food and refreshments: Three restaurant-bars, snack bar, new mountain-top fast-food restaurant.

Lodging: (714) 866-7000.

Packages: Children 12 and younger, $14.75 with one paying adult. Youths ages 13 to 17, $21.75 with paying adult. Back-to-back day special (excluding holidays), adults $72.50, children $36.50. Learn-to-ski package, adults $29.75 midweek, $34.75 weekends; children $19.75 midweek, $22.75 weekends. Add $10 for rentals.

Miscellaneous: Equipment rentals for adults $15.75, children $13.75, snow boards and boots $28. Night skiing (3 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday) $23.75 adults, $12.75 children. Credit card reservation line (714) 851-4900.

Directions: San Bernardino Freeway to Interstate 215 to California 30 to California 330 east to Big Bear.

Features: With 230 skiable acres, Snow Summit has been one of the most popular local resorts since 1952. Improvements this season include the widening of several runs, improvement of an already superior snow-making system and the addition of a new quad lift to the top of the mountain. Snow-boarders are permitted on the entire mountain, as well as in a designated snow-boarding area.

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Snow Valley

Location: California 18, Running Springs.

Information: (714) 867-2751.

Snow: (714) 867-5151.

Terrain: 35% beginner, 35% intermediate, 30% expert.

Elevation: 7,841 feet.

Vertical drop: 1,141 feet.

Longest run: 1 1/4 miles.

Number of runs: 35 on 240 acres.

Number of lifts: Five triple, eight double.

Lift prices: $30 midweek adults, $35 weekends; $22 children 12 and younger and seniors 65 and older. Half-day special, adults $22, child or senior $13. Late day (noon to 9 p.m.), adults $26, child or senior $16. Evening (4:30 to 9 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday), adults $22, child or senior $13. All-day ticket available through Ticketmaster for $25. Children 6 and younger and seniors 70 and older free.

Food and refreshments: Restaurant-bar with sun deck, snack bars.

Lodging: None.

Packages: Learn-to-ski package, including lift ticket, lesson and rentals, $29 weekends, $19 midweek.

Miscellaneous: Equipment rental, adults $14, children and seniors $10. Ski lessons, $22 for three-hour group session, $16 for 90 minutes. Ski shop and ski-school lounge.

Directions: San Bernardino Freeway to Interstate 215 to California 30 to California 18. Four miles east of Running Springs.

Features: Snow Valley this season has improved snow-making capability on 170 of 240 skiable acres. About three-fourths of the terrain is covered by man-made snow.