Wolf Creek, Colorado
While most of North America is still patching together its ski season with Hail Marys and snow guns, point your rig toward Wolf Creek Ski Area, a homey, pint-size (1,600-acre, 1,604-vertical-foot) mountain in southwestern Colorado's San Juans, 275 miles southwest of Denver, that traditionally chokes its patrons with snorkel-mandatory dumps well before Thanksgiving. A good rule of thumb: Check the snowfall forecast for Telluride or Crested Butte, then double that. Lift ticket, $45; 970-264-5639, www.wolfcreekski.com

Keystone, Colorado
Most resorts start their season by merely switching on the lifts. Not Keystone, which kicks off the winter with the annual 36 Hours of Keystone. It may sound core, but the Keystone event is a day and a half of parties, concerts, movie premieres, and, of course, nonstop racing on Dercum Mountain for just a buck an hour. Call for exact dates; 800-468-5004, www.keystone-resort.com