Lets look at our options, shall we?
If you want longer ski seasons, and higher altitude terrain, then go with Colorado.
BUT, with Colorado, you also face the hoards of vacationing skiers, long lift lines, ridiculous ticket prices, and you always have to stare at million dollar homes built on hillsides that wreck the views. Plus all of the rich skiers who think they own everything. Other than season passes, most everything is more expensive than in Montana. Oh, and the snow melts sooner, did I mention that?
From where I live, in Montana, I was able to ski all 12 months last year, and I currently am holding at 18 consecutive months of skiing. The snow may not fall as hard on some of the resorts here, but some can get as much or more snow as anywhere in Colorado. Yes we have our own problem of rich people here, but it's not half as bad as CO. Plus everything is more affordable here. The soul of the skier communities in Montana are some of the most dedicated in the world.
For pure skiing aspect, Lets examine that:
Colorado:
1) Has higher mountains, and considerably more skiing above timberline.
2) Terrain Parks are some of the best in the world.
3) Fair, if not a good amount of Powder days. Air stream patterns cause CO to receive storms that hit California, and come from the midwest.
4) A good Arsenal of Backcountry terrain, many areas tend to receive more traffic. Much of the mountainous terrain in protected by the government.
5) Ski season starts earlier, but only limited to ski areas on minimal terrain.
6) Snow Melts earlier and faster. This leads to less backcountry skiing after the resorts close.
7) Temperatures can be very favorable in the middle of winter, once the spring hits though, the snow goes. fast.
Montana:
1) More tree skiing up north, but more barren and above tree-line skiing down south.
2) Only a few resorts have good terrain parks.
3) Powder days are frequently in northwest, due to its geographic position with the northwest. The Southwest gets even more, receiving some of the same storms that hit Jacskon Hole and Alta. Some of those storms even drift to the north half of the state.
4) A larger Array of backcountry skiing, and better accesible for much of it. Logging roads and passes provide plenty of access. Glacier Park provides once place to ski all year around.
5) Ski season starts later, and ends around the same time in areas. But the snow can last through much of the summer.
6) Snow lasts longer. Being farther up north means less direct sunlight, and the snow lasts longer.
7) Temperatures are VERY unpredictable here. It can go from 38 degrees to single digits in a short amount of time and vice versa. Cold and wet springs, and mild summers too.
As for life on and off the slopes between the two, I think Colorado is over rated and over exposed. Snobbier people and less bonding in the skier community are also killers. Many of the skier communities share a common friendliness recognized little in the world.
I say, go to Montana. Don't forget we have Canada too! eh?
