Replying to College. University of Vermont or University of Utah?

University of Vermont is a lot closer to me (I live in south Salem, NY), but I'm really looking to go to a College that isn't crappy, and that has park skiers (like me), and a lot of them. I feel that University of Utah would be dope because the tuition is basically half of UVM's tuition, and the acceptance rate is higher. Not to mention that there is much better skiing there, so I think there will be a lot more and better park skiers and people who have interests like mine. One of the main problems is that my family would much rather have me go to UVM, because it is not half way across the country. What are your guys thoughts?