More skiing vs. vertical?rolling, old, beautiful mountains vs. harsher, younger, majestic Rockies?For someone who lives in the east, l do not get to ski out in Colorado or Utah more than once a year.But l know people that refuse to ski in the east because they say that it is such pathetic skiing.Would not you be happy just to ski small hills than not be able to ski at all?Also, I've heard that us Eastern skiers, who've grown up on all snow conditions (ice, slush, corn, powder) have more experience and are better skiers than the Western-all-powder-skiers.Any thoughts?

The Rockies are waaay better. And l doubt eastern skiiers are better, because the Rockies generally have more challenging terrain.

l too, only get to ski west about a week each year, but not until I've enjoyed a dozen or so individual days of eastern slopes. Yes, the ice, corn, slush, and if l am lucky, the powder of Holiday Valley, NY give me the skills to tackle all that Park City, Deer Valley and the Canyons offer. A day on less than perfect conditions at the eastern ski slopes is way better than not skiing at all!

l would say forget both of thoes ranges. Insted, try the Wasatch Mountains, out in Utah. They just get hammerd with snow. l went to Solitude Ski Resort last January, and l was literally in powder up to my neck. l was inbounds. NO JOKE. The only reason l got out was because my dad pulled me out.

People who refuse to ski the east r the same who refuse to ski when it is snowing, when it is cold, etc, etc. Frankly, l am glad they're not out there screwing up my lines.

There really is not a comparison between eastern & western skiing. Eastern skiing is hard core - if u can ski the east, u can ski anything. That is not true of the Rockies or western skiers. It is much harder to adjust to ice, mashed potatoes, or crud if you've been raised on champagne powder than if it is what you've been skiing all ur life. A disproportionate number of US Ski Teamers r from the East; the NCAAs tend to be dominated by the east; most of the racing academies r in the east; the strongest USSA divisions r the eastern ones; etc, etc. East coasters tend to be better skiers; west coasters tend to be better at hucking themselves off of things. As for steeps or difficulty, places like Mad River Glen or Tuckerman is Ravine r as difficult as anything out west.

I've skied both, but think the Canadian Rockies RULE. At blackcomb you are skiing a glacier! They do not groom the upper mountains either, so it is challenging on even the intermediate runs.

Rockies are by far the best to ski on. But l do agree with you on that the Eastern skiers do have a little more experience because of the many conditions they have up there.

WHISTLER BLACKCOMB. nothing else like it. the views and the vert, open bowls just amazing