The first dusting of snow was spotted on some high peaks in Colorado earlier this week, instantly raising anticipation for the 22-23 ski season in North America.
The only ski centre still operating outdoors on the continent, is Timberline with slopes high on Mt Hood in Oregon, but it says it will end its 10-month long 21-22 season this coming Sunday.
That will leave the Big Snow indoor snow centre in New Jersey the only snow skiing possible in North America from Monday.
However the start of the 22-23 season is likely to be only two months, perhaps less, away. High altitude ski areas like Arapahoe Basin (pictured top on 17th October last year), Loveland and Keystone start snowmaking in September if it is cold enough and can open in October.
Loveland in Colorado have their annual 'start of snowmaking countdown clock' running on their site which currently has 42 days left on it meaning snowmaking is due to start at the end of September.
The snowfall this week was reported dusting peaks near Alma in Colorado in the Mosquito Range and had thawed away by lunchtime, but it was still enough to raise anticipation levels. More fronts are expected to bring more early snowfalls over the next few weeks.
Recent years have also seen centres open in October in the Midwest and New England thanks to snowmaking in early cold temperatures.
Unusual early heavy snowfalls have also seen centres in California and Washington State open in October or even, briefly, in September.
The first fresh snowfall since last spring had already been reported earlier this month on high peaks in Alaska.