SNOW PATROL
NS=new snow; PO=powder; PP=packed powder; HP=hard-packed snow; HB=hard base; GR=granular; FG=frozen granular; CO=corn snow; BC=breakable crust; UC=unbreakable crust; W=wet; IC=icy condition; BS=bare spots; DC=dangerous condition; CL=trail or slope closed.
NUMERALS REPRESENT INCHES OF SNOW
Most of the ski resorts report fair to excellent snow conditions. Expect sub-freezing temperatures in the West and some ice in the East
FAR WEST: RENO, NEV.: Snow totals soaring, with 12-20 PO on 60-70 HB. Naturally, skiing is excellent. Auto chains are advisable.
SQUAW VALLEY, CALIF.: Top of mountain has 12 PO on estimated 96 base. All trails rate excellent, due to 6-12 PO surfaces. Chair lift and Flying Saucer areas are best. About 500 skiers present for resort's sixth anniversary last weekend. Daytime temps. 10 to 30. Area chosen U.S. candidate for 1960 Olympic Winter Games.
MT. BALDY, CALIF.: 36 dry PO arrived last week and created big weekend traffic jam as chainless autos jammed lower road. Skiing is excellent at last, thanks to 30-40 PP.
NORTHWEST: MT. HOOD, ORE.: 2-3 PO on 54-91, skiing excellent. U.S. Forest Service has cancelled operating permit for Timberline Lodge, Inc., charging mismanagement, and new operator is sought. Skyway and shuttle buses operating between Govt. Camp and Timberline. Auto chains a must.
MT. BAKER, WASH.: Light W cover on 88 HB has made skiing lightning fast, DC for novices on upper runs. Even instructors are taking tumbles. Carefully packed Austin Pass slopes getting crowds.
SNOQUALMIE PASS, WASH.: IC on access roads. No new snow to cover 52 total, but skiing still rates good.
GROUSE MT., BRITISH COLUMBIA: Big crowds have caused long waits on chair lifts. Attraction is 14 NS with BC on 47-70 HB. Conditions are good and trails are packed.
ROCKY MTS.: WHITEFISH, MONT.: Skiing is uniformly good with a variety of conditions available. The experts like to play submarine in 33 unbroken PO over 10 PP above the lift line.
BANFF, ALBERTA: Slopes are empty save for die-hards struggling on lower slopes. This is most snowless winter since 1938. 18 NS desperately needed.
SUN VALLEY, IDA.: The "excellent" sign is out with 31 on Mt. Baldy and 15 on valley floor. Weather has been clear and cold, with roads clear.
JACKSON, WYO.: With 14 PP on the mountain, the chairlift has started daily operation. Six motels and one hotel bunking skiers.
ALTA, UTAH: Area has had great skiing all winter and it keeps getting better. Cover is 10 PO on 58 base, following a 37 snowfall last week. Long-distance touring now available. Roads are clear.
ARAPAHOE, COLO.: 5 PO on 23 HP with fair-good ratings and temperatures have dropped very low. Moderate crowds on weekends.
ASPEN, COLO.: Temps. have ranged from 6-16. Most trails have PP surface on 13-30 base, with skiing good to very good. No lift lines last weekend. Roads are open.
SANTA FE, N. MEX.: Santa Fe—closed till now—rejoiced at 12-18 snowfall. Some obstructions showing, but snow was still coming down. Double chair serviced slopes for crowd of 100, including two devotees who came all the way from Alabama.
MIDWEST: BOYNE MT., MICH.: Innkeepers delighted as snow drought ended after five weeks. 6-7 NS on 2-4 HB with some IC; conditions expected to rate good shortly.
RIB MT., WIS.: Weather has been cold enough—temps, in mid-20s—but Rib Mt. is still short on snow. Area has 2 NS on 4 HB and needs 6-7 more. Skiing is fair on lower slopes but there's none on the upper areas. Tow will run weekends only until more NS arrives.
TERRY PEAK, SO. DAK.: Outlook vastly improved due to 8 NS on 18-20 packed. Skiing good, with double chair lift easily handling moderate crowds.
NEW ENGLAND: NORTH CONWAY, N.H.: Ratings here were fair, with 1-2 GR on 7-10 HB. Crowds have been good, with moderate waiting lines.
FRANCONIA, N.H.: Some 2,500 skiers—a mob for this area—had best action of the season last weekend thanks to a PP surface on 4-40 GR base. Conditions are good to excellent.
BIG BROMLEY, VT.: About 4 more PO would make skiing excellent. Surface now fair, with 1 GR on 7-20 HB.
MT. SNOW, VT.: New area played host to 2,000 last weekend as high capacity chair lift held waiting time to 10 mins. Snow totals are 10 to 30 FG, skiing fair. Need PO.
MAD RIVER GLEN, VT.: It's been clear, cold and beautiful, with 4-6 PO on 20-38 HB, skiing good-excellent. Ski pro Bud Phillips has revived famed Saturday-night floor shows at Dipsy Doodle.
STOWE, VT.: Snow conditions good with 3 PP on 21-36. Crowds have been small.
BERKSHIRE MTS., MASS.: Operators still looking for more snow. Jiminy Peak needs 6 PO. Otis Ridge reports this is latest start in area's 9-year history.
NEW YORK: TURIN: Area is still looking for PO to go over 15 HP base. 4-6 NS needed to improve fair conditions.
WHITEFACE MT.: It's mighty scratchy here, with 8 FG base and some IC. Fair on trails, but practice slope is good. Nearby Lake Placid now offers night skiing under arcs Wednesdays and Saturdays.
PENNSYLVANIA: LIGONIER: snow cover down to 1 NS and area is closed.
QUEBEC: LAC BEAUPORT: Winter Carnival got underway as snow depths hit record for this date: 2 PO on 40-48 HB. Skiing is excellent. Bring your warmest clothes because temps, have been as low as minus 5.
MONT TREMBLANT: This area has 2-4 PO on 30-48, conditions excellent everywhere, and the lifts have not been crowded. Despite heavy snow in the Laurentians, the roads north of Montreal are clear.
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