I think the issue is that people who don't live in coastal areas automatically assume our snow is always wet. In Tahoe, we get maybe 2-3 true "Sierra cement" days a year. Those may not be ideal skiing days but they do wonders for sticking to rocks and cliffs. The rest of our storms are perfect and can occasionally even hit 3-5% water content. But the slightly denser powder is what I'd take over 3' of blower any day of the week. We can get 12-16" and some wind and you can straightline at 50 mph down something that was a massive mogul field the day before. Cliff takeoffs and landings are way, way cleaner and better for stomping.
Is it any wonder why no one films true big mountain skiing inland? If Colorado had coastal snow, it would be insane. The mountains are sick. But instead it gets light pow. Definitely not the greatest snow on earth.
