Headin to Cali this upcomming winter, flight attendent girlfriend so flight and hotel costs aren't really an issue on this trip.

Generally later in the season is better.  March is often plentiful with snow.  With Cali it can be tough.  It'll snow like hell then it can go weeks, even months without new snow. 

For Tahoe on the North shore, you really can't beat Squaw.  It's a pretty amazing place.  Sugarbowl, and Alpine are great mountains too.  For a good mom and pop resort, Homewood on the West shore is pretty fun.  It's definitely got the tree riding your are looking for.  Southshore is all about Kirkwood.

I don't have any winter experience with Mammoth, but the resort looks great.  The snowfall is supposed to come down a bit lighter there so the powder is more pleasant.  Pretty wide open resort from what I have seen.  World class bouldering 30 minutes away by Bishop.  The Buttermilks, Happy, and Sads are all right there and great in winter.  Plenty of hot springs in the area too.

Overall, I would go with Tahoe.  Lot's of different resorts to chose from and a better night life scene.  Especially on the south shore.

WOW great reply and good info(as usaul) thanks a ton Killclimbz 

With Mammoth play it by ear, if it's getting nuked go if not and hasn't snowed in a while don't bother.

Thanks it sounds like we should keep our options open as far as cali and where exactly to go depending on snowfall.

Yeah, if you can fly last minute, that is what I would do.  For anywhere.  With Cali just watch the storm alerts for when they are expecting a major dump.  Then try to fly in the day before.  Arriving the day of the storm would mean you'd have a good chance of sitting at the airport as roads often get closed in those storms.  Too much snow falls in a short time frame for the plows and such to keep up.  Awesome if you are located by the resort, sucks if you are trying to get up there.

Yea after talking with the GF for a bit I think I have her convinced for both of us to just show up at the airport and fly standby to wherver the snow is. Her airline also flies right into Banf\Lake Luise so yea thats moving up teh list real quick.

Banff/lake Lousie isn't exactly known for their snow...but the hills and area around it are breath takingly beautiful. If you've got the time you could tour around up there as well and hit several places, Sunshine (Banff), Lake Louise, Revelstoke, etc....yes...you'd need a rental car and a passport. 

Why does Sqaw have such varried reviews, I hear you guys talk about how awesome it is but tons of reviews by boarders say it' s skiiers resort(big flat spots skinny runs ect) bla bla bla.

Big flat spots at Squaw?  Hahahaha!  WTF, are they hanging out on the beginner runs all day.  Squaw is right up there with Jackson Hole, Whistler, etc as far as gnarly steep terrain goes.  It's been over a decade since I've rode there, but flat spots were never a problem at Squaw. 

Your description of Squaw sounds more like Heavenly to me.  Perhaps that is what you were referring too?

Squaw is an epic resort, but alot of locals dont like it because of how corporate it is now. Its worth going to for sure.

went to squaw about 4 years ago. it DUMPED for 2 days straight in march. it was fucking EPIC. it was the fluffiest snow ive ever rode in. the terrain is awesome. you wont get bored there. 

but thats just because we canadians are just so awesome...