Snowboarding is snowballing.

        And its local momentum started 10 days before the U.S. on Monday swept the Olympic event's medals in Salt Lake City.

        On Feb. 1, Perfect North opened its arms and slopes to the sport.

        “I guess we just waited until the industry demanded it,” Perfect North pass-office supervisor Denise Keller said Tuesday.

        For years, the Lawrenceburg-based ski resort prohibited snowboarding, primarily over safety concerns among skiiers and what was perceived to be minimal public interest.

        That's all changed.

        “I think it's because of what they see on TV, more on commercials and a lot of the Olympics,” Ms. Keller said. “I'm kind of curious to see what with the three medal winners, if we'll see more.”

        Snowboards rent for $25, with $10, one-hour group lessons on weekends. But many snowboarders, primarily teens and young adults, have their own equipment.

        The biggest outlet locally is Sun & Ski Sports of Kenwood, where Scott Holmes of Mount Washington spent part of Tuesday afternoon shopping for snowboard boots. Boots typically run about $100 to $150, boards $250 to $600.

        At 33, he's hardly the typical snowboarder. Most are in their teens or early-20s, and many snowboarders now at Perfect North are young kids who have never skied, Ms. Keller said. Mr. Holmes started while in high school in Colorado Springs, Colo., and hasn't snowboarded in three or four years, he said.

        Then Perfect provided the perfect opportunity to revisit the sport that has rocketed its way into Olympic headlines.

        “It's a blast,” Mr. Holmes said. “It's more of a free-flowing feeling, more fluid than skiing.”

        He's sure the U.S. Olympic success, winning gold, silver and bronze medals in the halfpipe, will fuel interest in what is generally considered an X-Games crossover sport.

        Sun & Ski manager Adam Elkus does too, despite the unseasonably warm winter so far.

        “Since Perfect North allowed it, we're seeing more interest,” Mr. Elkus said.

        The Olympics just picked that snowball up and ran with it.

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