A skier tackles a downhill slope at Killington Resort.

Let's say you're the kind of person who's already counting down the days until you can dust off your gear and hit the ski slopes. Sure, you could jet off to the Southern Hemisphere for some late-spring skiing in Chile or New Zealand. But with a little effort, it should be possible to satisfy that winter-sports cravings much closer to home. The key is to have your equipment inspected, tuned and ready to go so you can head for the hills as soon as the lifts start running.

When to Go

Die-hard downhillers usually can find snowy slopes somewhere in America by the end of October, with more resorts coming online by Thanksgiving. Bear in mind that snow accumulations may not be ideal, and in some cases only a limited number of runs will be open.

Some Ski Areas to Watch

• Killington Resort, 800-621-6867
  Blustery New England weather and one of the most prolific snowmaking systems in the country make this Vermont resort one of the first U.S. ski areas to open each year. In a typical season, some runs are operational by mid- to late-October, with many more open by mid-November.

• Loveland Ski Area, 800-736-3SKI
  This Colorado resort off Interstate 70 west of Denver is another early opener, with abundant natural snowfall and 160 acres of snowmaking coverage that allows some slopes to open most years by mid-October.

• Copper Mountain, 866-841-2481
  With snowmaking operations typically getting under way by late September or early October, this Colorado resort is often up and running by official opening day in early November.

• Boreal Ski Resort, 530-426-3666
  This Lake Tahoe-area resort typically opens by mid-November thanks to a combination of natural and artificiial snow, often making it the first in Northern California to open its slopes.

• Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, 800-MAMMOTH
  With a vertical elevation that soars to 11,000 feet and an average snowfall that surpasses 400 inches, this central-California resort rarely has a problem meeting its early-November commitment to turn on the lifts.

Insider Tip

Many ski areas schedule opening day in advance, but don't take these dates too literally. Actual openings can be sooner or later depending on conditions so keep an eye on the weather reports and check in with the resorts often to see which opens first.

Information

Go to SnoCountry.com for comprehensive reports on snow conditions at winter resorts worldwide.

Click below for more autumn alternatives.

Foliage by Canoe: Shenandoah Valley
Visiting a Cider Mill
Discount Cruise Season
California Wine Country
Fly Fishing in Michigan
Festive Southwest Drive
Central Park in New York
Bird Watching in Texas
Apple Season in Washington
Cranberry Bogs in Wisconsin

Photo credit: Killington Resort