An age-old debate in the ski/snowboard community is which side of the country is best. In actuality, it really isn’t fair to compare the two.
No, not because one is better than the other, they’re just simply different.
The main reasons for such differences can probably be chalked up to the differences in climate. In the Rockies out west, there is a significant elevation difference than the Appalachian regions here in the east.
To put this in perspective, the highest point in the Rockies is Mount Elbert, it sits at a cool 14,440 feet above sea level. The Appalachians over here on the east coast are less than double that. Mount Mitchell is the highest point sitting at a mere 6,684 feet above sea level.
The huge difference in elevation is the main cause of different climates. East resorts usually average somewhere between 1,000 – 4,000 feet according to an article from The Denver Post. Being lower in the atmosphere, east coasters are usually the victims of wetter conditions, which is why you always hear about how icy it is.
West resorts can take you above 10,000 feet.
Do you understand why I’m saying it’s so different yet?
The consistency of weather out west also plays a huge factor in the differences. Constant snowfall and steady temperatures usually equal out to high quality powder rather than the hard-pack that most easterners are used to.
Being a resident of the east coast myself, I see the weather changes and can understand why the snow conditions fluctuate.
An On The Snow weather report talks about a large winter storm coming that would affect most of the country later this week. It further proves the point of fluctuating temperatures in the east stating a strong cold front would come followed by warming temperatures after. All the while the west is staying consistent with snowfall.
Now, I myself haven’t been out West, so I can’t really provide personal insight on the topic, but I know exactly who can.
Adam Rice has been skiing since he was two years old. He’s skied up and down the north east, his dad is even on ski patrol at Liberty Mountain Resort in Pennsylvania. But Adam doesn’t limit himself to just the east. He’s pretty much toured all of Colorado on his skis to I figured he’d be a good resource to help up debunk the debate of which coast is better.
“Honestly the main difference is in the snow,” said Rice, it’s a lot less humid out [west] so the snow is lighter and literally like powder, versus [the east] where it’s heavy and wet.”
Adam agrees on the topic however, “I don’t think one is better than the other, you can’t compare, they’re just so different and I like different things about both of them.”
“I can’t say that I prefer one over the other either,” said Rice, “When we were up in Tremblant it was unlike anything I’d done before, but I can say the same about Colorado for the bowls and the powder.”
I guess it’s best for people to form their own opinions in this case.
How about you? Let me know how you think the east stacks up against the west in the comments, I’d appreciate the feedback!
Matt Petraglia 