I know this is a bit old but, buy your season pass at most location when the season is OVER. You save big. I paid $429 for 7 springs and received a cash discount of 5%. They are like $750 now.
Snowshoe is by far the closest/best place for you to enjoy. Especially mid week. If you really like to ride, cupp runn and shays revenge are all you need. Speed lift up, speed down. Repeat 4 or 5 times, stop and have two beers, repeat. That's my story.
I drive there from Pittsburgh, and stay the night at silver creek or wherever I can find cheap on VRBO. Split with whomever wants to come with. Many of these places just have keys waiting for you at the hotel who manages the property for the owners. They have no idea you are putting 3 or 4 people into a 1 bedroom or studio. $99/nt - $120 is what you look for. Look for deals on the lift tickets too.
I also used to do alot of night riding to save money. I dont like the cold (or hot) but layer up and Im good. Less people, less mouth breathers usually at night especially mid week. Sure you are tired the next day but, usually thinking HEY I could do that again tomorrow!
Meet a new boyfriend , with an adventure mindset that also has a firm footing on his career and you should be set.
Enjoy now because once you get older and life progresses, you might find you never return to it unless you take your kids. I know alot of gals that say they are going to go riding when we throw parties at my house that used to ride, but in their 30's now they have kids and just dont have the time or money anymore.
I personally picked riding up when I was 39. I'm 41 now and going into my 3rd solid year. 2nd year with a season pass and looking forward to the resort swap program they also have with our passes. 7spring, HV, Wisp , SnowShoe and a few more all have a swap program where oyu buy your pass and get a free any time pass for any other resort, then all passes therein at those resorts are 50% off! I went for the cheaper resort last year and hit many other resorts on road trips for the free tickets. All I paid for was the room.
IN short however, if I were you, I wouldnt bank on Utah or the west. You might have bad luck and find that there is nothing but old packed powder , rain, or worse, icey conditions like we see in the east. Best to not put all your eggs in one basket.
Ride at night on the weekends. Ride days during the weekdays if possible. Take a mini trip to snowshoe if possible, or find a ski club in your area for weekend trips.
Also, for trips out west, ski clubs are the way to go. For example we have a group going out to Park City in early march for a week. The lodging , tickets, and breakfasts, including airfare is like $1000. Yes that's alot but, when oyu consider airfare,hotel, and lodging, 7 days for 1k is CHEAP. Booking that on my own would easily cost double or triple!