Unless we have another exceptionally good fall, we've still got a while to go before ski season starts in earnest. The notion of Thanksgiving as a ski holiday is a not to be counted on - it was dreamed up by resort marketing departments after some good early seasons a few years back and is now supported by heavy snowmaking. For better or worse, Mother Nature doesn't always do the bidding of the advertising departments of Vail and Aspen...
With a couple of good storms, we'll be making turns this month but one shouldn't expect epic powder days for awhile (I'll take 'em if we get 'em though!).
One thing to keep in mind - Colorado early season snowpacks can be just as avalanche-prone and deadly as any other time in the season. Also, don't use the rationalization "there's not enough snow to be dangerous" to ski a pitch you'd normally avoid. It doesn't have to be big or deep to kill you. I was once caught, carried, and almost completely buried when the 2-foot deep October snowpack avalanched on a 20-yard long pitch I was skiing on Loveland Pass. The snow that I'd been postholing in set up like concrete when it came to a stop. If my face and an arm hadn't been exposed, the mistakes I made that day could have cost me my life.
Wear those kneepads!
--Andy
