Always a good measure of an encouraging start to the season, Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort had people cruising its slopes before Thanksgiving. Although limited to a small section of the resort’s nearly 22,000 acres of terrain, the resort had two lifts (Buttercup and Easy Rider, along with the Magic Carpet) running over the weekend for “Preview Sunday,” and with winter weather bringing a foot of fresh snow through the day, those who made the trip were treated to the first powder turns of the newly- christened season.

STAMPEDE PASS, Wash. (AP) — The instructions for time travel are as follows: Step one: On a winter weekend, follow Interstate 90 east to Exit 62, then drive south until the road ends. Step two: Haul your gear to the southeast corner of the parking lot and step into your skis.