JB,
Frankly man, I have been skiing and snowboarding since I got my first Burton Swallowtail in 85. Love the board, especially in the woods, and of rdeep snow. Lotsa fun at both Hoosier Pass and the others I hit on a regular basis. Nothing quite like the feeling of weightlessness on a phat powder day.
I ski too, love the moguls, and steeps. Heli'in is a lot easier I think in skiis, but I have done it both ways. Would never consider dropping 50+feet on a board, but never second think it on skiis.
As for stunninghunks on both ends, yeah, there are a lot of stunninghunk boarders as well as skiiers. So, it goes both ways. I have skiied and boarded on 3 continents, and 6 different countries, and to tell ya the truth, the Americans act the worst on the mountains. Sad fact of life, but most americans are obnoxious arrogant buttholes who need a good arsewhuppin...
Anyways, I decided to stay with the Maidens so far, I want some better Powder skiis, will see if I can pull off another set without touching my budget....