SNOW PATROL

SPOT TO SKI: PICO PEAK

Elevation 2,000 to 4,000 feet; average snow depths 20-40 inches; yearly snowfall 12½ feet; skiers last year 35,000; usual season Dec. 5-April 10

Early March is the peak season for this Vermont ski area, only six hours' drive from the New York-New Jersey-Connecticut region. On Feb. 24, the annual Rutland-Pico Winter Carnival wound to a climax (see below), and on March 10 some 200 family skiers are expected to turn out for the 12th running of the Pico Derby. Family skiing is the keynote at Pico, where experienced oldsters can slam down the steep pitches served by a 2,350 foot Constam T bar and youngsters, under the eye of Owner-Manager Karl Acker (who made a champion out of Olympic Skier Andrea Mead Lawrence), can scurry up and down the lower slopes served by three rope tows which have a combined length of 2,000 feet. Tips: From New York take the Albany Turnpike, then routes 9, 4, and 7 to Rutland. Or fly via Eastern direct to the Rutland airport. From Connecticut take routes 5 and 103. Any way you come, plan to spend a night at the Long Trail Lodge ($7.50 for a single to $20 for a double, American plan) and enjoy dancing, night skating, good food, hot grog and winter yarns by ski-wise Host Grover Wright.

AS OF FEBRUARY 23

Nothing is as changeable as the weather, so be sure to telephone resorts for latest reports

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

•EAST

Pico Peak, Vt.: Enthusiastic George Washington's Birthday crowd made Rutland-Pico Winter Carnival most successful in seven-year history. Bill Beck and Debbie Davis took Brad Mead Memorial Slalom titles, and Debbie Davis took women's Eastern Giant Slalom. TD 0-10, BD 0-10, CR 4,000, SN 0.

Okemo Mt., Vt.: Largest turnout in history of resort over four-day weekend. Best skiing on Squaw, Tomahawk. Chief closed. Packed powder, bare spots. TD 4-20, BD 4-20, CR 5,000.

Mad River Glen, Vt.: New snow brought perfect skiing conditions. Trails excellent and snow fast. Hour wait for lift over weekend. Eriksen skis popular. TD 40, BD 20, CR 3,400, SN 8.

Stowe, Vt.: Best skiing of year for holiday crowd but wait at lift lines sometimes reached an hour. TD 28-38, BD 18-26, CR 5,000, SN 2.

Big Bromley, Vt. East and West Meadows and Twister closed, Boulevard spotty. Corduroy knickers popular. TD 1-20, CR 3,800, SN 1.

Mount Snow, Vt.: Skiing excellent. Overbrook trail best. Paul Fehrenbach took men's downhill and Barrett Scoville men's slalom, while Mary Bolduc took women's combined in Connecticut state championships. TD 12-48, CR 17,000.

Dutch Hill, Vt.: Spring skiing early birds wearing Bermuda shorts. CR 3,000.

Belleayre, N.Y.: Skiing good. Luke Gaudet won Veterans' Giant Slalom. Knickers with argyle socks popular. BD 4-12, CR 3,000.

Lake Placid, N.Y.: Roy Sherwood winner of Class A and Masters' Jump. TD 8, CR 6,000.

Bousquets, Mass.: Family groups numerous over holiday. CR 4,000.

Mt. Jasper, Que.: Alouette excellent. TD 12-27.

Mt. Tremblant, Que. Skiing excellent over weekend. TD 8-37, BD 4-26, CR 1,800, SN 3.

•MIDWEST

Rib Mt., Wis.: All slopes and trails good. TD 6-8, BD 6-7, CR 2,500, SN 2.

Mt. Telemark, Wis.: Excellent skiing. Ski Carnival scheduled March 2-3. BD 17, CR 2,500.

Caberfae, Mich.: Bull Nose and North Ridge areas excellent. TD 3-6, BD 6-8, CR 3,480.

Iron Mt. Mich.: Junior Slalom scheduled March 2. TD 8-14, BD 6-12, CR 1,400, SN 4.

Boyne Mt., Mich.: Skiing excellent on Hemlock. TD 4-12, BD 14-20, CR 725, SN 6.

Terry Peak, S. Dak.: Conditions good. CR 750.

•WEST

Aspen, Colo.: All trails good and well-packed. Large holiday crowd watched Roch Cup. TD 66, BD 28, Dipsy Doodle 40-60, CR 1,000, SN 3.

Arapahoe Basin, Colo.: Powder snow on upper Basin slopes and Beaver Pond Run. TD 48-65, BD 45-48, CR 1,600, SN 10.

Hidden Valley, Colo.: Trails No. 1 and No. 2 closed. Top slopes excellent, packed base. TD 55, BD 11, CR 1,100, SN 0.

Sun Valley, Idaho: Rain and snow in Valley. Skiing excellent on upper slopes. Roundhouse 46, Valley Floor 26, SN 21.

Santa Fe Basin, N. Mex.: New snow, skiing excellent. Knickers with Norwegian socks current fashion. TD 36-48, BD 24-36, CR 1,700, SN 12.

Alta, Utah: Excellent powder. Peder Pytte won Class A in Norseman Ski Club jump meet, Harold Aase Class B, Bill Spencer Class C.

Brighton, Utah: Best skiing on Evergreen, Millicent, Majestic. TD 82, CR 2,200, SN 30.

Reno: Saturday blizzard closed mountain passes, kept skiers at Reno casinos. TD 30, BD 36, CR 3,000, SN 24.

Big Mt. Mont.: Fresh powder on hard base. Mully's Mile, Toni Matt best. TD 68, CR 600.

Jackson Hole, Wyo.: Skiing good. TD 28.

Taos, N. Mex.: Pete Wallace logged fastest times in downhill, slalom of Southwest Junior championships; Charlann Smith took girls' combined title. Head skis tops in sales and rentals. TD 63-68, CR 580, SN 12.

•FAR WEST

Grouse Mt., B.C.: Rain ruined fresh cover on Saturday. TD 96-108, CR 3,300, SN 10.

Mt. Baldy, Calif.: Storm restored base. Lift riders wearing quilted coats. SN 6, CR 1,600.

Mammoth Mt., Calif.: Packed powder over entire mountain. TD 90, CR 2,200, SN 24.

Sugar Bowl, Calif.: Snow storm Friday closed lift. TD 96, BD 60, CR 1,500, SN 24.

Mt. Baker, Wash.: Blizzard closed Austin tow, Chute Trail. Only good skiing on Pan Ridge. TD 142, BD 168, SN 16, CR 1,800.

White Pass, Wash.: Rain ruined powder. Upper Holiday fast, Cascade best. Roller Coaster saved for PNSA Juniors, March 2-3. Miller safety binding and Head skis most popular.

Mt. Hood, Ore.: Wet snow, skiing fair. TD 136, CR 1,200, SN 32. Government Camp. Rain all weekend. TD 38, BD 47, CR 2,500.

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