SAM Magazine-Denver, Oct. 27, 2010-After a long, warm fall, areas in the west have received significant snowfall in the past three days. In the Pacific Northwest, Mt. Hood Meadows had recorded 30 inches through Tuesday, with more expected. In Colorado and Utah, snowfalls were in the 18- to 24-inch range. And in western Canada, Fernie reported 15 inches. Whistler reported 10 to 12 inches at the higher elevations, with more snow in the forecast.

Steamboat, CO

Loveland and Arapahoe, the two early-opening Colorado areas, were reporting 20 and 18 inches of snowfall, respectively, from the past three days. The snow has given the areas some of the best early-season conditions in years.

Other areas not yet open were reporting even more snow: 26 inches in Crested Butte, 24 in Brighton, Utah, and nearly two feet at Winter Park. Keystone reported more than 18 inches and Steamboat 14.5 inches through Tuesday, and more snow arrived overnight.

Crested Butte, CO

In California, Squaw Valley reported 2 to 4 inches of snow over last weekend.

Areas in the East got into the early-snow act last week, with more than a foot atop Killington, Sugarbush, and other Green Mountain resorts.

If these early snows are any indication of how this year's La Niña event will impact snowfall, resorts across the country could be in for a big season.

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