Scott: Squaw Valley did open in early nov 4 years ago (stayed at the wonderful Squaw Creek hotel) - I was at Whistler-Blackcomb over US-Thanksgiving in 96, 97 and 98 (always at the CP Chateau Whistler): never were they able to run the World-cup-downhill the following weekend (once not enough snow, once heavy raining, once to much snowfall ... hélas!).

Taos was early with plenty of snow in 95 (but still no snowboarding allowed there as in Aspen Mountain) - amazing when driving through the desert like scenery from Santa Fe into those mountains in New Mexico. Vail was perfect once (even the back-bowls open for deep powder skiing in 1991 so were the nearby resorts of Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapa... and Beaver Creek) all this also in the Thanksgiving week.

[This message has been edited by Rudi (edited 07-21-2000).]