I understand that at full winter there are some 32-38 USA STATes that
have some or another of ski areas. Which ski areas are the first ones
to open (and about when) in the fall. Let's say the first 7-10 states.

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Clarification of Question by pendleton-ga on 04 Jun 2004 17:11 PDT

Actually, I would give a 5-star rating for just being able to
know what 2 or 3 areas of the country get snow and below freezing temps.
soonest each fall. I will take it from there to find the ski resorts.
Thanks.

Hello Pendleton

Hopefully this answer will help satisfy your needs, I have attempted
to identify the areas that have an average temperature of -1 to 3C
earliest.

Not surprisingly, on average, Alaska is the first state to have
snowfall each fall as it is furthest north.

You can find out the average temperature of certain states here at
different points of the year:
http://www.w3.weather.com/outlook/travel/vacationplanner/temperature/?temp=h&month=11&reg=US&x=14&y=8

The above page also gives you the average precipitation at the
locations (note, Jackson WY 56.1mm, Juneau AK 137.9mm).

The www.weather.com website also has a vacation planner that may help
you with your deliberations:
http://www.w3.weather.com/activities/travel/vacationplanner/

They also have a "snow finder" here:
http://www.w3.weather.com/activities/recreation/ski/

Good luck with booking a vacation... I wish I was coming with you!

Dear palitoy-ga. Thank you! Thank you! Now I can some place (in what I
am looking for.) I like the first web site of finding places and
temperatures! That alone was worth. Keep up the fine work!

God bless you to know and do His will!
John 
PS-- Wish I was going too! (This is for a different project rather
than skiing, myself. ) (sigh)

Hi:

Just to add to palitoy-ga's fine answer, I had done some looking
around earlier, and the following information may be of use to you:

Some Colorado resorts open as early as October: 

See the article "Loveland Opens, Other Summit County Resorts Get
Ready," by  Bob  Berwyn, for First Tracks, Oct. 2002:
http://www.firsttracksonline.com/news/stories/10349424588328.shtm
You'll see that Loveland in Georgetown, CO, was ready to open as of
mid-October in 2002. The article goes on to note that Copper Mountain
and Keystone in CO were set to open at the beginning of November.

Aspen Mountain and Snowmass:
http://www.snowjournal.com/article661.html

From what I could gather, the following resorts typically open in late
November, or very early December, at the latest:

Utah ski slopes:
http://www.skiutah.com/

Killington, VT, also typically opens in late November:
http://www.americaskiing.com/ski-it/news/11-29-02--killington-trails.asp 

Maine ski slopes:
http://skicentral.com/maine.html 

Snow Summit and Big Bear in northern CA:
http://www.bigbearlive.com/snow-summit2.htm

Two great resources for you are the ski trade news e-zine, "Ski Area Management":
http://www.saminfo.com

And

First Tracks e-zine:
http://www.firsttracksonline.com/welcome.htm
Its links aren't working correctly at the moment, but check back
later, or contact the Webmaster for help.

Best Regards,
nancylynn-ga
Google Answers Researcher

Dear nancylynn-ga: Are you ever nice! Thanks so much for those many
web sites in your comment. They will make my looking lots easier. 
(smile)

God bless you to know and do His will!
John P