I have skied in Whistler many times over the Christmas period and find it very inconsistent. I was there the year before last and the snow was very thin on the ground and in very poor condition, you also have the real threat of rain at lower elevations if it is 'warm.' There is nothing worse then skiing down the hill and finding it raining on the lower runs. I have also found Whistler to be quite icy. Having said that, the Sea to Sky highway is spectacular at any time of year and Canadian hospitality is great. (Although in Whistler it can be quite hard to find a Canadian!!) It would also depend on when you would be there, immediately before Christmas it seems quite quiet, but at Christmas and New year it is 'a bit of a zoo!'

Dependant on snow there are, in my opinion, some much more 'local' intimate resorts in the BC interior such as Sun Peaks, Big White and Silver Star which have a much more 'Canadian' flavour.

Last Christmas I skied Vail, Breckenridge, Keystone etc and found the snow absolutely superb, so much lighter and much more fun than the snow at Whistler! It was also not as busy as Whistler as people were more spread out over several resorts!

I skied several Tahoe resorts last February so I can't comment on December snow, but the snow was fantastic in February. However, even if the snow is good there is not a great deal of vertical and you spend a lot of time on lifts.

My view for what its worth,

1 - Whistler - Great location, Great vertical, Inconsistent early season, getting busier and busier.

2 - Colorado Resorts - Great snow, not as busy, lots of choice of resorts if you have a car, (Blue Sky Basin at Vail is fantastic). Can be very cold. Ski areas are not huge if you are staying in one resort for any length of time

3 - Tahoe - Good snow if there is enough of it, limited vertical.

4 - Interior BC Resorts - Good snow if there is enough of it, A more 'Canadian' experience, more difficult to get to.

I have not had the opportunity to ski Banff, Jasper etc so i can't comment. I also have not had the chance to ski in Utah or Mammoth.

Where ever you end up enjoy it!