... and not surprising it runs the other way too. I have relatives from the Canadian prairies who feel claustrophobic in the mountains, like the landscape is pressing in around them.
Prairie thunderstorms are also kind of amazing. Though my perception is they're getting rarer and shorter.
This does not match my anecdotal experience. I did a lot of camping as a kid in during the summers in Kansas and had the "pleasure" of riding out many a thunderstorm huddled in a tent (or in a concrete latrine if there was hail/tornados). Several years ago, I once again found myself camping in a raging prairie thunderstorm (thanks to being more focused on the girl I was with than on the forecast) and the experience was surprising familiar... Oh well, she ended up marrying me, so worked out in the end!
I've seen a few mountains and gear changes.
I've skied in CA - Calgary is nearly the same Northerly latitude as Yeovil (Somerset/UK). It got quite nippy the last time I was there - about -17C. Banff and the rest (Sunshine Valley etc) were great fun.
I've skied a few other places too.
A few years back I recall getting a call whilst I was bimbling down the top end of Verbiers. Bit surreal - big hill and rather steep. Keep your edges keen kids!