SLC or Big Sky?

I spent the last week at Big Sky / Bridger / Moonlight. Big sky is huge with great terrain be ready for $78 lift tickets ($91 if you combo with moonlight) and massive ski repair as it tends to be blower on rock. Bridger is a blast with plenty of coverage and great inbounds slackcountry terrain, cheap tickets ($45ish) , and fun atmosphere. The new lift is great just be sure to have your beacon strapped on or you will not get on the lift. Moonlight is possibly the emptiest resort I've ever skied. The terrrain is mediocre but large. The only shinning star is the headwaters lift and ridge above. Some of the most challenging and fun chutes I have skied. $55 tickets and $3 tallboy pbr + free pizza at the yurt make Moonlight worth a visit in my book. We stayed in Bozeman and found discount tickets to Moonlight making for a $50 ticket. I saw the free shuttle that goes from Bozeman-Bridger, I did not see one to Big Sky.

Big Sky. Pick the date wisely and you'll encounter nobody. Some rocks on the ridgeline, but you can get around those easy enough. After all, blower does not stay on ridges......The big and little couloirs and some of the A-Z chutes are lots of fun -- bring your avy gear and helmet if you want to ski the couloir -- the patrol requires it.

I may get some sh%t for this, but if you've got some stiff skis with a fun sidecut, bring those along too (my GS race skis worked well). Big Sky has some of the longest and widest groomers I've ever seen -- they have a good pitch, too. Ski patrol does not seem to care how fast you go, and I've had so much fun listening to tunes and bombing the groomers, I'm embarrased to admit.......

SLC has better backcountry. But if you're interested in earning your turns, go to Roger's Pass.

Thanks for all the great info everyone. Not sure how it's going to shake out at this point (i.e. whether it will be resort, BC or a mix)... depends on the crew we get going with us. Ideally I'd pull a Zap and take the camper to both for a month each...