I’ve heard some of the more famous holdouts ( Alta, Deer Valley, Taos, and Mad River Glen) have throwin in the towel and allow it now, is this true?

i havent gone yet this year.. has it been less crowded? are there more specials/lower prices for lift tickets and what not?

I try to dry most stuff, but the car always smells funky after ski/snowboard trips. Any good suggestions to get the car back fresh easily?

3 parts to my question.
1) Is the a functional difference between ski and snowboard pants?
2) Which kind should I buy as a beginner who will be engaged in both activities?
3) Any recommended brands or places to shop?

Its my first year snowboarding and my only fear are the ski lifts. Are they very high up or no? Are they made safe so I have bars to hold on and so theirs a bar in front of my so im in tight? Also how many people a year fall off ski lifts? Is it a rare problem or do people fall off a lot
?

I found these really nice black ski goggles, but the website says they’re girls goggles. Does it matter?