Orem is good city, I lived there when I went to college there, Sundance resort is closest to you for snowboarding. There is tons of resorts around are excellent for snowboarding, I know because I work in ski industry. There is 6 resorts, add 2 more if you ski, all within 30 min of driving.

Orem and Provo are pretty heavily religious areas thanks to BYU (Mormon college) I learned how to stay out of their way and respect, they wont bother you (if they do, just open the door in nude and they won't bother you again, true story.) Oh, better get used to seeing temples and churches every few miles.