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
Warm and sunny weather in the West has brought hints of spring skiing. Eastern areas expecting traditional big crowds for Washington's Birthday weekend.
NEW ENGLAND: PICO PEAK, VT.: Snow tractor worked overtime packing 14 new PO. Pico has had a great winter, with 75 operating days.
MAD RIVER GLEN, VT.: 6 PP On 26-50 HB. There is not a rock or an icy spot showing on the whole mountain. All trails rate excellent.
BIG BROMLEY, VT.: Skiing has been a delight, thanks to a foot of PO which fell last weekend on a 7-25 HB. Erratic weather recently ranged from shirt-sleeve sunshine to rain, then snow.
STOWE, VT.: IC plagued many trails last week. 4 windblown PO on 24-40 icy base. Thermometers hit 10 below last weekend.
FRANCONIA, N.H.: 1-2 PO on 7-58 base, with spring skiing prospects excellent. Recent temp, range went from 60 above to 20 below.
NORTH CONWAY, N.H.: Area could use 2 W or 3-4 PO to put all trails in shape. Present cover is 1 CO on 6-12 HB with some IC. A few trails have been reserved for weekends with good results.
BERKSHIRE MTS., MASS.: Up to 12 PO fell at Jiminy Peak last week and trails are in good shape with 2-12 HP base. Watch out for icy spots. Otis Ridge has 2 PP on 2 HP and Catamount, N.Y. opened for the first time last weekend with 0-6 PO.
QUEBEC: LAC BEAUPORT: 6 PO over 40 HB. Worst storm of winter temporarily closed roads last weekend.
MONT TREMBLANT: 6-12 new PO over 32-54, conditions excellent. Roads are open.
NEW YORK: TURIN: Excellent signs are still out with 8 PO on 23 base.
PENNSYLVANIA: LIGONIER: 8 new PO on 4-15 base with temps, around zero. Penn State championships scheduled here on Feb. 19-20.
MIDWEST: RIB MT., WIS.: 3 PO on 10 HB. Skiing excellent; temps, around minus 10.
BOYNE MT., MICH.: 2 NS on 4-12 PP. Despite heavy traffic, slopes are holding up well because of zero cold.
TERRY PEAK, S.D.: 5-7 NS with base now up to 30-36. Despite excellent conditions, there have been no lift lines lately.
ROCKY MTS.: BERTHOUD PASS, COLO.: 22-32 HB. Clear skies and warm days have produced near-perfect skiing. Low accident rate attributed to lack of ruts and bumps on trails.
WINTER PARK, COLO.: 3 NS on 23-35 HP with IC. Over-all outlook fair-good. More NS would help.
ASPEN, COLO.: All trails and slopes boast PP over 20-38 base. No waiting lines either.
SANTA FE, N. MEX.: 4 PP on 30-36, but racers are hoping for more snow before winter carnival, Feb. 19-20. Recent crowds have been heavily sprinkled with snow bunnies from Texas.
ALTA, UTAH: 6 PO on 80 HP, and skiing still great. Area has had heavy out-of-town play and advance reservations are recommended.
JACKSON, WYO.: 4 NS on 20 HP, everything is open and skiing is grand. Roads are open.
BANFF, ALBERTA: 14 NS has provided good skiing for almost the first time this winter. However, another 10 would help.
SUN VALLEY, IDA.: Base is 11-30. Best snow is in the bowls atop Baldy.
NORTHWEST: GROUSE MT., BRITISH COLUMBIA: Upper areas have 25 NS on 81 HB, 22 NS on 60 HB at village. NS is on heavy side. Weekend line-ups for chair lift continue but midweek—especially Wednesday—is fine.
MT. HOOD, ORE.: GR surfaces over 116 HB at Timberline, 52 HB at Govt. Camp. Temps, around 30-34. Skiing rates fair-good.
MT. BAKER, WASH.: 2 NS on 136 HP. All runs good with north face of Panorama the best. Bring auto chains.
STEVENS PASS, WASH.: 2 NS on 94. Car chains required. Northwest intercollegiate championships scheduled here, Feb. 19-20.
FAR WEST: SQUAW VALLEY, CALIF.: Some CO on 60-108 HP with all runs excellent. Daytime temps. 30 to 60. Crowd hit 2,500 last weekend but there were no waiting lines.
MT. BALDY, CALIF.: 20-30 HP spring snow on upper areas. Some lower areas CL because of BS.
EDELWEISS, CALIF.: 30-52 HP. Everything is open and all trails excellent.
SUGAR BOWL, CALIF.: Total cover here measures 84-120, best snow conditions so far this year.
RENO, NEV.: Cover is down to 40-60 HB. There is plenty of skiing left but NS is needed to hide some stumps and rocks.
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