My philosophy is different than Neil's and Charliechocolate's. I've been riding hardboots since 1990. I live and do most of my riding in New England. In 2002 I started making a yearly, one to two week trip to CO. After the first couple of those I started riding softboots while there. In 2008 we started having kids and I found myself riding softboots even at home for the convenience. For the last four years I have been back on my hardboots and loving it. If given the choice to only be allowed one type of boot I would choose hardboots. But, I don't have to make that choice and neither do you.
I love hardboots for the precise control, speed, and unparalleled turns that I can make with them and a well made, carve specific board. However, I always ride softboots when I'm in Steamboat Springs. I spend far more time in the trees and powder than on the trail. I want to have the flexibility in the ankle that the softboots afford. I still can get out on the groomers and rip it up with some aggressive carves and I can sometimes miss my hardboots, but the versatility I get from that setup on that type of snow is worth loss of precision.
My softboot board used to be a Nitro Pantera Wide. Now I have a Flux and this year I will try a Nomad out west. I recommend you try a Donek Freecarve and a softer hardboot like the 325 or the Free69 if you can still find a pair in your size. Bomber Sidewinder binding is a must. Use that setup at home and then ride softies on your trip out west. Maybe you can bring both.
This is me in Steamboat in my softies.