Sweet, another thread that is degrading into the skier vs snowboarder thing. Which I just don't get.
Anyhow, snowboarding has definitely flattened. I think if you look at skiing trends from the past you can see predict what snowboarding is going to go through in the future. The sport is seeing it's first generation of riders getting into their 30's and 40's now. This is a small group relative to snowboarders as a whole group. We blazed the way, now the young 'uns can take it for what it's worth.
The Burton Poacher campaign served it's purpose. Probably just pissing in the wind, but it brought the issue of these resorts back to center stage. What will happen is just like Taos, the remaining resorts will see a down turn, need more revenue, and turn to snowboarders to save their ass. Plenty of people will jump at the chance to ride their over hyped mountain. I'll skip on giving them my money. I wasn't good enough back then, nothing has changed, and quite frankly I am too good for them. Why should I give my hard earned dollars to people who hated on me and excluded me because of what I rode? Taos won't see a $1 from me. As far as I am concerned there is way better terrain (and free)to go ride than what they offer at their second rate mountain.
See you in the backcountry, I'll gladly share turns with whatever mode of transportation you choose. As long as you're willing to earn it.