Darkhorse,
I like big and little cottonwood canyon areas (Brighton, Canyons, Snowbird) Utah, places west of Denver, Squaw, Mammoth. Got friends that live in the areas that know all sorts of inbounds freshies.
Used to hike to some areas with the girlfriend, but, she didn't like the avalanche danger and frankly neither do I. Knees were getting too old to do that hiking stuff anyways. Getting to the top of the slope with my Quads burning like a western brush fire wasn't my idea of enjoyment.
I do like Northstar, most of my friends call it flatstar, but they are into steep chutes and I dig the more flowing, surf style aspects of the sport. Never been to Rose.
There are a couple of decent places to go in No. Cal that aren't heavily trafficked.
Alaska is crazy. If you get a chance to go there, do it. Spend the $ on a heli-board trip, you likely won't regret the experience. I plan on hitting it this winter. I'd like to hit a Heli-Boarding deal in B.C. and maybe get to Jackson this year.
Pray for lots of snow.......... It was thin in So Cal this year.
Later,
Cracked