I'm also from the Midwest and have been out west a few time. For one, the park setups are going to be a lot smoother usually and a lot more features. Also tree-skiing is one of my favorite things to do out there. Just overall a lot better than the midwest(not hating on Midwest).

Run. A lot. it will help you last longer.

Box jumps help you strengthen muscles used for absorbing big cliffs and jumps.

Another thing to help. Hit the mogul courses at you home. They will help condition your legs and make you a better skier.

Slightly steeper runs, lots of aspen trees, very, very slushy conditions.

GseilsMy Midwest hill (granite peak) takes about 3 minutes to get down with around 700 feet vert.

Granite is perfect for preparing for skiing out west. The glare ice and moguls have made me a strong skier over time.

Think about runs at Granite Peak like Superstition, Sundance, and Exhibition... They are only steep for 1/4th of the run. Out west the entire runs are at a similar angle.

Granite Peak blacks are actually on par with many black runs out west... Just for a shorter distance. Shit, Granite's chutes by the Blitzen chair are perfect for preparing for stuff out west.

Granite is pretty much the same as the lower third of park city without as much good snow, and granite is a little smaller. Go beyond the bottom third and you'll have a blast! Be sure to hit Jupiter while you're out there.

Thanks for the responses I will make sure to take the opportunity and hit the trees (not literally)

Take your time on the trees as well obviously. No reason to go bombing down thinking your Seeking Nirvana and eat shit and die which will obviously end your trip pretty early

eheathSlightly steeper runs, lots of aspen trees, very, very slushy conditions.

Slightly steeper runs!!!! I hope you are being sarcastic. The west is astronomically steeper than the east or midwest. It is not even close. When I moved from the east to the west my eyes were definitely opened. I found out that I was not nearly as good of a skier as I thought I was.

For the OP, the runs will be steeper and longer. You might get a variety of snow conditions, it could be icy, there could be powder, windbuff, bumps, lots of different possibilities. Enjoy it.

Someone also advised you to ski bumps. This is exactly what you should do. Bump skiing is the best way to develop your skills for the steep terrain you will encounter out west. Skiing bumps all day as an east coast kid helped me when I moved west. The steeps still scared me and opened my eyes, but if I had not skied bumps all the time the transition would have been even more difficult.

first difference i noticed was the mid infront of west

dan4060Slightly steeper runs!!!! I hope you are being sarcastic. The west is astronomically steeper than the east or midwest. It is not even close. When I moved from the east to the west my eyes were definitely opened. I found out that I was not nearly as good of a skier as I thought I was.

For the OP, the runs will be steeper and longer. You might get a variety of snow conditions, it could be icy, there could be powder, windbuff, bumps, lots of different possibilities. Enjoy it.

Someone also advised you to ski bumps. This is exactly what you should do. Bump skiing is the best way to develop your skills for the steep terrain you will encounter out west. Skiing bumps all day as an east coast kid helped me when I moved west. The steeps still scared me and opened my eyes, but if I had not skied bumps all the time the transition would have been even more difficult.

not sure if you've been to PC but its not known for its steep skiing.

There are "steep runs" but most of them are groomed haha