I think part of the issue for
@JoeSchmoe was that he is a snowboarder, not a skier, so flats are a bigger deal. Sure, expert snowboarders aren’t bothered by that as much, because they can carry speed and stick to steeper parts.
But
@JoeSchmoe didn’t have that option, he was riding with a child, so he has to stick to the easier areas, and keep his speed in check. I always have to wait for my kids on those flats, and my kids are happy to bomb into them. They just don’t have the weight to speed through the flats. It’s no problem for me on skis, but if I was a snowboarder, man, I would NOT be happy.
Then he had some very bad luck with lift closures. In 5 (mostly 8 day) trips out there, I have never had such bad luck with lifts closing for extended times.
I love WP, but I’d say that his criticism is fair for the conditions he encountered and for
HIS SITUATION, ie
advanced snowboarder riding with beginner child.
He needs consistent slopes, with trees right next to a blue grooomer.
I think the moral of the story here is that the experience you have at a resort varies not just by conditions, but also by who you are (with).
IE skier vs boarder, bumper vs rager, want to keep cruising vs don’t mind disjointed skating sections and ducking into gullies.