News & Observer | newsobserver.com | 2008 NCAA Men's Bracket

The weekend before Thanksgiving probably isn't the best time to break away for a day on the slopes, but if there's any way ... . It continues to snow in the high country, both here and in West Virginia. Skisoutheast.com reports that as much as 10 inches fell in North Carolina's higher reaches, while Snowshoe Mountain in West Virginia got another 2 inches — giving it more than three feet in the past week. And that's on top of the snow they've been blowing for more than twice that long.

Opening day: Ski Beech this morning.

So here's what you're looking at:

Opening today:
Ski Beech, 3 of 15 trails, 4 of 9 lifts, packed power.

Reopening today:
Cataloochee, 8 of 14 runs, 3 of 5 lifts, groomed.

Opened yesterday:
Appalachian Ski Mountain, 5 of 10 runs, 4 of 5 lifts, groomed.
Snowshoe Mountain, 6 of 60 trails, 3 of 14 lifts, powder and groomed.

Opened before that:
Sugar Mountain, 8 of 20 runs, 4 of 9 lifts, manmade and natural.

Plus, at most places you're looking at early season rates on lift tickets; consult your local ski area for details. And consult skisoutheast.com for an in-depth report on the regional ski scene.