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TAHOE CITY - Thieves with a taste for snow are prowling resorts for snowboards, particularly the Burton brand.
Of the 24 reported snowboard thefts from Nov. 24 to Dec. 10 at Boreal, the majority were Burton boards, according to the Nevada County Sheriff's Department. Of the boards, one was recovered and another was lost. No skis have been reported missing yet this season.
Four of the five snowboards reported stolen at Northstar on Dec. 16 were made by Burton, according to the Placer County Sheriff's Department logs.
"Unless you have a way to secure them, they can disappear," said Placer County sheriff's Tahoe Captain Jeffrey Granum.
Most of the area's resorts have preventive measures against snowboard and ski theft, including video cameras, security guards, signs and free day storage. However, thieves are wise to those methods and items will disappear if they are not in the sight of their owners, Granum said. Officials urged owners to never leave gear unattended.
Suzanne Webb knows what can happen when a board is left for just a minute. The Australian was enjoying her Christmas at Soda Springs when she spotted someone with her husband's board in the parking lot.
Having worked at ski resorts for seven years, including North star, Webb, whose husband is a ski patroller at Soda Springs, said board thefts have been a problem over the years.
"Get a no-name board," Webb advises.
Jessica VanPernis, communications manager for Northstar, said the resort offers free basket check and overnight storage in the village for free and a $5 fee on top of the mountain. She also noted that security guards and parking lot employees watch the area.
"Unfortunately, their eyes can't be everywhere," VanPernis said. "It's a problem everywhere."
Squaw Valley USA has security guards who patrol the base of the mountain 24 hours a day, according to spokesperson Sa vannah Cowley. The resort also offers lockers and coin operated locks to its guests.
How to prevent snowboard theft:
-- Do not leave your board unattended, even for a second
-- If you have to leave your board, lock it up with a locking device
-- Check your board at the ski resort during stops or overnight
-- Write down the serial number of the snowboard in case the board does get stolen
-- Report your missing board to the ski resort or local law enforcement agency
-- Register your snowboard's serial number at www.snowboardregistry.com
Of the 24 reported snowboard thefts from Nov. 24 to Dec. 10 at Boreal, the majority were Burton boards, according to the Nevada County Sheriff's Department. Of the boards, one was recovered and another was lost. No skis have been reported missing yet this season.
Four of the five snowboards reported stolen at Northstar on Dec. 16 were made by Burton, according to the Placer County Sheriff's Department logs.
"Unless you have a way to secure them, they can disappear," said Placer County sheriff's Tahoe Captain Jeffrey Granum.
Most of the area's resorts have preventive measures against snowboard and ski theft, including video cameras, security guards, signs and free day storage. However, thieves are wise to those methods and items will disappear if they are not in the sight of their owners, Granum said. Officials urged owners to never leave gear unattended.
Suzanne Webb knows what can happen when a board is left for just a minute. The Australian was enjoying her Christmas at Soda Springs when she spotted someone with her husband's board in the parking lot.
Having worked at ski resorts for seven years, including North star, Webb, whose husband is a ski patroller at Soda Springs, said board thefts have been a problem over the years.
"Get a no-name board," Webb advises.
Jessica VanPernis, communications manager for Northstar, said the resort offers free basket check and overnight storage in the village for free and a $5 fee on top of the mountain. She also noted that security guards and parking lot employees watch the area.
"Unfortunately, their eyes can't be everywhere," VanPernis said. "It's a problem everywhere."
Squaw Valley USA has security guards who patrol the base of the mountain 24 hours a day, according to spokesperson Sa vannah Cowley. The resort also offers lockers and coin operated locks to its guests.
How to prevent snowboard theft:
-- Do not leave your board unattended, even for a second
-- If you have to leave your board, lock it up with a locking device
-- Check your board at the ski resort during stops or overnight
-- Write down the serial number of the snowboard in case the board does get stolen
-- Report your missing board to the ski resort or local law enforcement agency
-- Register your snowboard's serial number at www.snowboardregistry.com
