Ralph wrote:
For reliable snow before Christmas the Tug Hill area of New York is
your best bet. They get the most snow in Eastern US.

Actually the most snow in the eastern U.S. is typically in a very small
area in northern Vermont near Jay Peak. For a current snow depth
chart, see:

http://www.erh.noaa.gov/nerfc/graphi.../sd1_today.jpg

Jay Peak has claimed at various times to offer cross-country skiing,
but, basically, they don't. The only cross-country center in that area
is Hazen's Notch:

http://www.hazensnotch.org/

They are currently claiming snow depths of 36-40" on their trails.

Lew Lasher
Cambridge, Massachusetts and Stowe, Vermont