Nah, not really like you. The real hardcore bashers usually voice their opinions far more rudely.

Snowboarding is a bit of a pain in the ass to pick up at first, but once you get the basics, you'll learn and improve extremely quickly. An early-season trip is definitely a good idea so you don't waste the entire season.

I skiied a little bit when I was a kid, and have to say that IMO skis are a superior transportation method to snowboards. So, if you're into stuff like high speed runs down the moguls, you might be disappointed on a snowboard. But it's a ton of fun in its own way, it feels more "fluid" to me than skis since your entire body and the board are moving as one.

 

Snow Summit at Big Bear? That's one of the resorts that I've never visited. I've been to Mountain High, though, and that was rather uuummm disappointing, to say the least. I've been told that Snow Summit is much, much better.

 

Ok, so I guess I'll have to take Utah into serious consideration. Looks like it's getting a whole lot of praise and has a bunch of resorts to offer. It's also relatively close to California so that's a plus.

Jackson Hole doesn't seem too popular based on our totally non-scientific S2000-driving sample, so maybe I'll consider Whistler-Blackcomb again too. I liked it a lot last year, not only just for boarding, but also because nothing beats walking off the slope straight into a restaurant for some beer and crab legs.

Thanks for all the replies. Any more, keep 'em coming!

 

If you're in the Whistler area, you owe it to yourself to check out Mt. Baker. Steep and deep, but not a "resort" per se. More of a local feel to it. Some crazy terrain available though.

Lots of good places in Canada too - Big White @ Kelowna, Fernie, Sunshine, Panorama, and Lake Louise by Calgary. Kicking Horse too - about 3 hours from Calgary.

For the best snow and an epic trip, I'd highly recommend a cat or heli trip!

 

I went snowboarding at Jackson Hole last year and going again next year. 2006 will be the last year until they take down the tram. I'm an intermediate/advanced snowboarder and I had a lot of fun.

 

FWIW MSN's U.S. Ski and Snowboarding Guide