this is how it is, the only pow you're gonna get is at the sickest place i've EVER skied at in the midwest, Mount Bohemia. It's in the Keewenaw region of the UP, right where it sticks into lake superior. A couple years back (2 or 3) I skied there opening day in waist deep pow lighter than anything i've ever gotten anywhere else (rockies included). It's a little ghetto, they have yourts for the base lodge, and there are two chairs, but it is hard core. they don't groom, and they don't allow beginners, so it's basically the Jackson Hole of the midwest. There are cliffs and chutes on the backside, and sick trees on the front. the only problem is that it's in the middle of shit nowhere, but it's worth the haul. check out mountbohemia.com