I agree that having the greatest amount of contact between your skins/the snow usually gives you the smoothest/quickest ascent, but the aspect of the slope you're on is just as important when it comes to skinning up something steep. When there is a small variation in a steep slope, it can provide you with a small, less steep surface to get a better grip with your skin (or edge if you have to). I usually find that boot holes work well for this.
Bridger is the most accessible skiing in the valley and is usually crammed with half the town of Bozeman, and everybody tries to have fun in their own way. I don't know how you can really expect people there to give a shit about a path through the snow, or even let something silly like that chap your ass. Heading to the backcountry to ski is probably a better way to avoid boot-packers on a track between laps than complaining about them at the ski resort.
