Replying to Northwest Trip

I normally take a trip every year around mid Feb. Out of every place I have been I have most enjoyed the Yellowstone area for it's remoteness and simply awesome skiing and powder. This season however I want to try something new. I do not want a very busy resort nor one that is very tourist focused (I'm there to ski not to party). I have heard a lot of mixed reviews about the Northern Cascades some good and some bad. I am looking for something with challenging runs and a good stable snow pack around mid Feb. Like I said I like the remote aspect of it and when it comes to a park I really don't care because that is all I do here in MN anyways. Could anyone recommend a good resort around the Seattle area or any good resort in general in Washington. I have heard a lot of good things about Baker and Crystal but if anyone could give me some recommendations and share their opinion on the area that would be great. Another thing that is driving me to this area is I was offered a Post nursing graduate position at Seattle Children's for next spring and I just kind of want to scope out the area. And one more question, what is the commute from the north side of the city to most of the resorts like?