[asking about eastern slope recommendations]

Give Jay Peak a whirl (jaypeak.com, I think). I was there a few years ago one February. They're supposed to get the most snowfall of any mountain in the East. It's only 30-45 minutes south of the Canadian border (Hwy 10 south from Montreal), and they take Canadian money at par. No idea what the shopping situation is like -- I was on the hill from first lift till last lift.

[edit]Jay Peak is in VT, BTW