FWIW, Last week I skied 57" of lake effect snow on the Tug. It was the deepest snow I've ever skied. The deepest snow I skied before that was in the Wasatch after a 3 day storm cycle. The snow was equally light and fluffy. The differences were
1. I skied opening day on unpacked, unsettled snow on the Tug. It was deep and you went all the way down. Face shots were had. Falling meant wallowing and hoping you could find your skis if they came off. In Utah, the snow was skied daily, so it was never much more than crotch deep, unless you went were no one went...which we did, but it took much more effort than on the Tug.
2. You needed pitch to really ski it. The Tug's vert is only 600', so steep shots were short. Not steep, you couldn't really go anywhere.
3. I can drive to the Tug and be home for dinner.
4. Lift ticket was $15 (with my season's pass reciprocal deal) at Snow Ridge, vs $70 in Utah.
So for me, skiing lake effect at home is much more economical. Still fun, still skiing. When you are used to skiing the hills of central NY you really appreciate them, especially when there a ton of pow.
Here are some pix
http://forum.nyskiblog.com/57-at-Snow-R ... 33416.html
It snowed another 9" last night up there. I wanted to go today but AcidChrist is sick in bed (and sick in the head, but we all knew that already). Other ski pals are out of town for the holiday.