From MA, grew up skiing VT and MA heavily, also NH, and ME. Now live in Summit County, CO. Have skied CO for 7 or 8 seasons. Otherwise have skied NM, UT, OR, and Japan.
1) From as objective a perspective as it is possible to have, I really do think the average New England skier is more technically skilled than the average skier from anywhere else in the US. MAYBE you could say northern New England instead. There are fantastic skiers from everywhere, and big mountains breed great skiers, but it's only those who take full advantage of those mountains that get notably skilled. In New England, people go out and regularly ride conditions that folks in other parts of the country regularly avoid (because they will have better conditions in a day or two).
It may be changing, but the East in general absolutely has produced the best/most park skiers in the US due to lack of other terrain options.
New England also has the oldest ski culture in the country and a unique tie to European skiing.
2) All of that said, the skiing is obviously so much better in the West. I will not move back unless life circumstances dictate to do so. This season I hope to ride Montana, Idaho, and BC. Goals are to keep finding my own lines, avoiding tourists, connecting with tru shredders, and continuing to be grateful that I live in the middle of the Rockies.
**This post was edited on Oct 31st 2022 at 5:50:04pm