Question 4

To reiterate: I want to go fast and get a good workout, but skating isn't my thing. I plan on skiing on well maintained (groomed) tracks only. A weekend at Methow sounds perfect to me.

No pine tar, but I'm a traditionalist at heart. And/or I plan on skiing where there is 'real winter' with 'real snow' (Alaska, Colorado, Utah, etc.) ie. dry, fluffy snow that you can't make snowballs with. That doesn't get rained on and turn to ice. Where winter temperatures tend to be below freezing...  

Do I want to ski on good tracks in areas that have 'better' snow than the Pacific Northwest (at temperatures usually below freezing)?