SNOW PATROL

SPOT TO SKI: HEAVENLY VALLEY

Elevation 6,850 to 8,500 feet; snow depth 5 to 12 feet; yearly snowfall 400 inches; skiers last year 20,000; season Dec. 15 to April 15

Anyone who likes to do his skiing against a background of gorgeous western scenery, and his after-skiing in some of the country's most famous casinos, would do well to try Heavenly Valley, Calif., a 2-year-old resort spotted on state highway 50 just 1 mile from the Nevada state line. From each of the four major trails (Gunbarrel, 1 mile, expert; Hogback, 1 mile, intermediate; Corkscrew, 2 miles, expert; Round-About, 3½ miles, advanced novice running down from the top of the chair lift on Monument Mountain, there is a really spectacular view of Lake Tahoe. The scenery is almost as good from the sundeck of the combination restaurant and ski-rental shop at the base of the area, and of course from the snack bar close to the top of the chair lift, 2,000 feet above the valley floor. Entertainment at the Nevada casinos a short hour's drive away includes floor shows, dancing, gaming tables. Tips: Stein Eriksen (above), former Olympic and world ski champion, now heads the Heavenly Valley ski school and is teaching the new Wedeln technique to intermediates as well as experts; there are plenty of good motels along route 50 for overnight skiers.

SKIING COAST TO COAST

TD-top slopes, depth in inches; BD-bottom slopes, depth in inches; CR-ski crowd last weekend; SN-inches of snowfall last weekend

•FAR WEST

Heavenly Valley, Calif.: Snow storm which broke over entire Far West opened all runs. Press party next weekend to include beauty contest with season-lift-pass prizes. TD 20-24, BD 10-20, CR 400, SN 18.

Squaw Valley, Calif.: Two to three feet of powder hit mountain last weekend, opened Flying Saucer lift for first time. TD 48-60, BD 24-36, CR 500, SN 24-36.

Sugar Bowl, Calif.: New snow expected to open all runs on mountain. Sugar Bowl championships here Jan. 26. TD 48-72, BD 36-48, CR 1,500, SN 36.

Yosemite, Calif.: Runs 1, 2, 5 and Badger Hill excellent last weekend. TD 34, BD 31, CR 3,300, SN 22.

Mt. Hood, Ore.: Timberline excellent, some stumps on trails to Govt. Camp. TD 88, BD 80. Govt. Camp TD 26, BD 14. Multorpor operated on slim cover. Ski Bowl opened. Intercollegiate Winter Carnival here Jan. 26-27.

Snoqualmie Pass, Wash.: Thunderbird good, Beaver Lake excellent. TD 43, BD 35, CR 2,500, SN 18.

Stevens Pass, Wash.: All tows operated. TD 65-70, BD 55-60, CR 4,000, SN 18-20.

Mt. Baker, Wash.: Storm left powder hip-deep except for narrow, packed runs. TD 116, BD 131, CR 100, SN 54.

Other spots: White Pass, Wash., Sehwaegler Cup Jan. 19. TD 46, BD 30, CR 900. Grouse Mt., B.C.: all runs open. TD 100, BD 75, CR 1,900, SN 50. Edelweiss, Calif.: excellent. TD 35, BD 27, CR 175, SN 20. Mt. Baldy, Calif.: no skiing last weekend. Mt. Rainier, Wash.: very good. TD 111, BD 97, CR 2,000, SN 10. Mt. Shasta, Calif.: good. TD 36, BD 30. Mammoth Mt., Calif.: good. TD 54, BD 44, CR 1,100, SN 15. Reno, Nev.: all trails excellent.

•MIDWEST

Boyne Mt., Mich.: Skiing excellent. TD 15-18, BD 20-25, CR 500, SN 6.

Terry Peak, S. Dak.: Conditions excellent. Night skiing Wednesdays on Stewart Slope. TD 33-38, BD 38-40, CR 750, SN 4.

Rib Mt., Wis.: Best skiing on slopes. Trails fair. Night skiing on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Caberfae, Mich.: All areas operating, skiing excellent. CUSSA cross-country, Jan. 27. TD 4-6, BD 6-9, CR 3,500, SN 3.

•WEST

Sun Valley, Idaho: Best skiing of the year last weekend. Henke buckle-boot showing up frequently. Bud Werner took Sun Valley open downhill, Madi Springer-Miller took girls' event. Baldy. TD 33, CR 1,200, SN 12.

Alta, Utah: Skiing excellent on packed slopes. TD 52, BD 52, CR 500, SN 14.

Brighton, Utah: Skiing excellent. TD 69, BD 66, CR 1,800, SN 15.

Santa Fe, N. Mex.: Storm made skiing excellent. TD 30, BD 22, CR 900, SN 14.

Aspen, Colo.: Recent snows caused avalanche danger but left skiing good. Winterskol Carnival starts Jan. 17. BD 40, CR 300, SN 24.

Other spots: Taos, N. Mex.: TD 75, BD 46, CR 250, SN 32. Arapahoe Basin, Colo.: excellent powder. TD 50, BD 42, CR 800, SN 25. Winter Park, Colo.: TD 25, CR 2,600, SN 20.

•EAST

Stowe, Vt.: Nose Dive, Lord and Skimeister all good last weekend. Sterling excellent. Sven Johnson of Alaska took state cross-country. TD 32, BD 26, CR 1,200, SN 5.

Mad River Glen, Vt.: Skiing good, some icy spots on top. TD 28, BD 25, CR 900, SN 8.

Big Bromley, Vt.: Yodeler, Ridge trail and East Meadow excellent last weekend. Neil Robinson won Senior Eastern downhill, Joe Jones won slalom. TD 7-28, CR 3,000, SN 13.

Mt. Snow, Vt.: South Bowl excellent. TD 20-50, BD 15-30, CR 4,000, SN 8.

Snow Bowl, Vt.: Proctor excellent. TD 8-25, BD 8-20, CR 1,000, SN 8.

Cannon Mt., N.H.: All lifts ran last weekend. TD 4-42, BD 4-30, CR 2,200, SN 23.

Mt. Cranmore, N.H.: All lifts running. TD 12-22, BD 10-22, CR 8,000, SN 12.

Belknap, N.H.: Excellent skiing. Bill Beck took club slalom four seconds ahead of Bill Woods. TD 20, BD 11, CR 3,000, SN 20.

Mt. Tremblant, Que.: Good powder all weekend. Bogner stretch pants popular. TD 10-30, BD 5-24 Nansen 5-30, CR 900, SN 9.

Belleayre N.Y.: All trails good. BD 14, CR 4,000, SN 9.

Other spots: Snow Ridge, N.Y.: TD 15, BD 6, CR 1,800, SN 10. Intervale, N.H.: excellent. TD 11-27, BD 11-27, CR 300, SN 13. Thorn Mt., N.H.: TD 11-26, BD 11-26, CR 250, SN 13.

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