East Coast, also known as the Ice Coast, in the world of skiing, is a much different type of skiing than the West Coast. When skiing on the East Coast, because of the lower elevation and the fewer mountains, they don’t receive as much snow as out west. The mountains tend to become icy quickly because of the lack of snowfall or how quickly the snow gets skied off.
When skiing on the West Coast there is usually an extreme amount of snow. I have had the awesome opportunity to ski out west for the past four years and each year they have received at least one foot of snow. Luckily this past year, when I went to Colorado, they received four feet of snow and I had the chance to ski endless amounts of powder. It is such a different type of skiing because when you ski powder you need fatter skis that glide through the snow, but when you are skiing on icier conditions, on the East Coast, you have to focus on digging your edges into the ice in order not to slide down the mountain on your back.
Having the privilege and practice to ski in Colorado and Utah, I have learned a lot about skiing different mountains because the mountains are much taller that you gain a higher vertical score than when you are skiing at mountains in New Hampshire, Maine, or Vermont. Coming out west you are surrounded by mountains and peaks that get avalanche blasted and create bowls, to allow skiers the chance to ski the best terrain in America.
Many people who ski the East Coast do not have any idea what it is like to ski the West Coast. Unfortunately, last season for the east and West Coast wasn’t the greatest season for skiing, but luckily the West Coast had much more snow on their terrain. On the East Coast, the less amount of snow didn’t allow for mountains to make their most money. But they have already predicted a much better season for 2017, filled with more snow on both coasts.
Many professional skiers come from the West Coast because they have such easy access to such incredible terrain. Although there are a handful of talented skiers from the East Coast, they have to experience the West Coast because the terrain is more than double on the East Coast. The snow also feels much different because when it non-stops snows then the skiing is much easier than when it is icy on the East Coast.
If you enjoy skiing and have the chance to take a vacation to the West Coast, it is highly suggested because of the different types of terrain that allow you to have a life changing experience as a skier. Take the opportunity to the farthest and also try to ski with locals because they know the specific terrain that many people have not skied and one learns a lot more about skiing from people who exercise on these trails each day.
