Hi Susan,
I used to ski ... I've skied in Mammoth and Lake Tahoe, California; SL City, Utah; Aspen, Colorado; and Sun Valley, Idaho; as well as Feldberg and Herrischried, Germany and Engelberg and Grindelwald, Switzerland. I had an accident several years ago (concussion, dislocated shoulder) and haven't been on skis again since then.
Utah advertises that they have "the greatest snow on earth" - I have to admit, the're right. The snow in the Alps is not as light and dry as it is around SLC. But, skiing here in the Alps is something that I recommend to any hard-core skier who can affort it. The ski areas are so very different, you can hardly compare them.
I haven't tried snowboarding ... it looks like fun, but (or should I say, butt) it can be painful.
Since I am out with my horse almost daily, I can enjoy the winter days without having to drive into the Alps (the closest ski area is a good hour away). And I enjoy spending time with my girlfriend ... in front of the wood-buring stove in my apartment.