Which Place is best for all around experience?

[ddubs515]

Hey guys,
I'm trying to plan a trip for next winter. I grew up boarding the east coast (PA). While fun, those mountains are limited in what they offer. I'm ashamed to say I've never experienced a true powder day. I'm an experienced rider, and want to start getting into some bowl riding... so my question is this.
Which of the following places offers the best combination of resort runs, bowls/ open terrain, and nightlife. I dont need wild clubs... I'm over that hell. Just some good bars and good vibes. Looking at Jackson Hole, Big Sky, any of the resorts at Tahoe, or any resort in Summit County. Thanks for the Help.

[Magnum626]

IMO go to Whistler for the overall experience. People from all over the world there, a million bars to choose from. Huge mountains with almost anything to choose from. I had a blast when I went.

[WasatchMan]

I was gonna say Jackson - great first resort for your first trip out west.

As far as nightlife I really don't know - whenever I do a trip with my buddies we may hit a local bar or two - but most of the time we just bring a few twelve packs back to our room.

edit: picked up the Top Resort issue of transworld off the floor next to my bed

Here is their top 10 list for best nightlife:

1. Whistler/Blackcomb, BC

2. Aspen/Snowmass, CO

3. Jackson, WY

4. Breckenridge, CO

5 Heavenly, CA

6. Mont Tremblant, QC

7. Mammoth Mountain, CA

8.Holiday Valley, NY

9. Vail, CO

10. Park City, UT (I can't believe they actually made a typo as "Park City, Colorado" in the magazine...)

[neednsnow]

Originally Posted by WasatchMan

1. Whistler/Blackcomb, BC (Agreed)

2. Aspen/Snowmass, CO (Agreed)

3. Jackson, WY (Agreed)

4. Breckenridge, CO (Good Party, Mtn needs Snow to be real good)

5 Heavenly, CA (Same as Breck, but you can trek to Kirkwood from Heavenly and get an awesome Experience)

6. Mont Tremblant, QC (Haha, you Wont!)

7. Mammoth Mountain, CA (Never Been)

8.Holiday Valley, NY (Been, haha...too fun!)

9. Vail, CO (I'd suggest here before Breck, personally)

10. Park City, UT (I can't believe they actually made a typo as "Park City, Colorado" in the magazine...) Can't Endorse PC

Whistler is always known as the top spot. I've never been, so I can't attest. I can endorse Vail and South Lake Tahoe (Heavenly/Kirkwood) Depending on how long you plan on going, next year, look into buying an Epic Pass (This can be for Vail/Breck AND Heavenly/Kirkwood) this May. If you go for multiple days, the Epic is worth it. I'm from PA (Learned at Seven Springs & Blue Knob.) First out west trip was Breckenridge and had a blast. However, I would not endorse Breck to anyone over some of the other places. It is crazy-crowded. Vail is, too, but people are much much more spread-out. Jackson Hole is good, but the town of Jackson is a little drive from the mtn and Teton Village which is at the base of the Mtn goes to sleep around 11 PM, if not sooner. Got there last winter on a Friday night (the night before St. Pats) and we heard crickets at midnight.......actually we heard raindrops....much more of a plague than crickets.