Skiing across the country—reports through the preceding weekend
Far West
California: The Sierra region took 10 feet of snow last week in the biggest blizzard since 1847 when the 87-man Donner wagon train was all but wiped out in the passes. Virtually all traffic was at a standstill for six days. Donner Pass, Highway 40, Highway 50 and the Southern Pacific track were all blocked at the summits by drifts 10 to 30 feet deep. Officials connected with the 1960 Winter Olympics were faced with the necessity of providing some sure system of escape from the valley in the event of a blizzard during the Games, scheduled for Feb. 19 to March 1. The south had less snow, excellent conditions.
SQUAW VALLEY. Several chair-lift towers buried in snow, avalanches along the headwall slid into the top terminal and covered it. Highway 89, leading out of valley to Truckee, blocked by massive slides most of week, was finally cleared last Saturday. Olympic construction has been set back an estimated 30 days. Some skiing on rope tow. Pomalift will be dug out and used. CR 100.
HEAVENLY VALLEY. Roads were blocked until last Saturday, but lifts operated and skiers were out every day. Next weekend is Instructor Stein Eriksen's last before taking up job at Aspen's new Highlands area. CR 600.
SUGAR BOWL. Hardest hit in Sierras, area lost Mt. Lincoln chair for season when three upper towers were crushed by avalanche. Three hundred skiers marooned during week found they had plenty of time for skiing, left for the lowlands when Highway 40 was opened for one-way traffic. Skiing will continue on Disney lift.
MT. BALDY. UP 120, SN 48, CR 800.
SNOW SUMMIT. UP 108, SN 50, CR 1,200.
MAMMOTH MT. LO 240, SN 84, CR 800.
BADGER PASS. UP 175, SN 70, CR 1,000.
Nevada: RENO. Lifts buried, area isolated. Expected to open this weekend.
Oregon: MT. HOOD. Excellent winter skiing conditions prevailed, all facilities operated. Timberline: LO 263, SN 10, CR 1,500. Govt. Camp: LO 22, SN 3, CR 500.
HOODOO. Excellent. LO 103, CR 1,300.
WILLAMETTE PASS. Will operate until April 20.
Washington: As usual, best skiing in Cascades came during beginning of April.
MT. BAKER. UP 118, LO 67, CR 1,500.
STEVENS PASS. UP 132, LO 95, SN 10.
West
Colorado: Skiing still excellent.
ASPEN. Lift lines ran over an hour at times, but expect crowds to thin from now on. UP 63, LO 29, SN 17.
ARAPAHOE. Instructor's school April 15 to 20 will end with Master's Slalom, Willy Schaeffler and Stein Eriksen competing. UP 75, LO 70, SN 15, CR 400.
LOVELAND. Will operate daily until May 18. UP 72, LO 72, SN 12, CR 1,000.
BERTHOUD PASS. UP 90, LO 70, SN 14.
Utah: ALTA. Forty-eight-hour storm closed roads, shut down lifts. Should easily be open this weekend. Reservations tight until April 20. UP 179, LO 159.
BRIGHTON. Mt. Majestic lift closes April 28, Millicent will run through May.
Wyoming: TETON PASS. Roads excellent to Trail Creek Ranch, touring headquarters.
Montana: Bio MT. Top of mountain has fine snow-field skiing. Closes April 23.
Idaho: PAYETTE. Excellent. CR 600.
BOULDER BASIN. Touring skiers headed here from Sun Valley's closed lifts. UP 110.
New Mexico: TAOS. Senior Giant Slalom April 13. UP 140, LO 70, SN 12, CR 300.
Alberta: MT. TEMPLE. UP 40, CR 250.
SUNSHINE. Good. UP 59, SN 7, CR 250.
Midwest
Michigan: BOYNE. Only area open, has spring skiing on upper slopes. UP 24, CR 100.
East
New Hampshire: Best spring conditions in history. Skiers kept coming.
BELKNAP. Expect two more weeks. UP 50.
SUNAPEE. Best late conditions ever recorded here. UP 50, LO 10, CR 2,000.
CANNON. Attendance during week matched last year's best seven-day record. Will operate at least through April 20.
WILDCAT. Gondola was repaired, ran last weekend. UP 118, LO 66, SN 23, CR 1,000.
TUCKERMANS. Ravine open. Best conditions in years; 75 feet of snow in Bowl. CR 300.
Maine: SUGARLOAF. Sugarloaf Schuss drew 250 entries, largest competitive field in eastern racing history. Will operate another month. UP 150, LO 83, CR 1,000.
New York: BELLEAYRE. Good. Kilts and red long Johns are a spring skiing fad.
WHITEFACE. Record attendance last week jammed Lake Placid hotels. Lower areas getting a bit thin, upper trails good. Will run this weekend. CR 3,000.
Vermont: At least 12 areas still going strong, skiing good all over.
STOWE. All trails fine. Biggest crowd of season. Snow should last through the month. UP 64. LO 44, SN 6, CR 9,000.
MAD RIVER. UP 65, LO 40, SN 6, CR 1,200.
BIG BROMLEY. Best spring skiing in area's 17-year history.' UP 60, LO 36, CR 1,400.
MT. SNOW. UP 100, SN 6, CR 3,600.
JAY PEAK. UP 70, LO 54, SN 6, CR 700.
DUTCH HILL. UP 74, LO 30, SN 2, CR 700.
Check resorts for late condition changes
UP—inches of snow on upper slopes and trails
LO—inches of snow on lower slopes and trails
SN—inches of snowfall last week
CR—ski crowd last Saturday