Snow Patrol

MT. HOOD, ORE.: Timberline area now 10 PO on 50 HB, making skiing excellent. Sky is clear, temperature 12 24 with light wind. At Govt. Camp, 8 PO on 16 base. All rope tows at summit operating. Best bet for beginners: Mt. Hood Ski Bowl, new chair lift now at work.

GROUSE MT., B.C.: Peak and Big Hill perfect with 15 PO on 49 HB. Plateau and Paradise also excellent with 15 PO on 45 HB. Traffic heavy, but no waiting at twin chair lift.

SNOQUALMIE PASS, WASH.: All tows open seven days a week, skiing excellent on main hill. Night skiing under lights Wednesdays and Saturdays with baby sitter service provided for those attending ski school Thursdays.

ROCKY MTS.: STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLO.: 4 PO on 14 SB upper runs Emerald Mt., 10 HP lower runs, skiing good on both.

WHITEFISH, MONT.: 10 PO fell on Christmas, covering 12 HB on upper mountain, 8 HB on lower. Limited space in lodges. Use snow tires or chains if driving.

ALTA, UTAH: Skiing on all trails is excellent with 6 PO on 26 HB. 10-minute wait weekends for lift, no wait week days. However, most of northern Utah is blanketed by fog and Alta is only place where sun is visible.

ASPEN, COLO.: Snow beginning to wear, but skiing still good on main trails. Buckhorn, Tourtellote Park, Spar Gulch are best. Bell Mt. still closed.

WINTER PARK, COLO.: Skiing generally good on Bradley's Bash, Main Balch and Lower Hughes. 11-15 HB on all slopes, all tows operating daily.

ARAPAHOE, COLO.: 17 total at midway, some NS. Skiing only fair, with IC on main runs, some PO on open slopes. Lifts running daily.

SUN VALLEY, IDAHO: Skiing good on Baldy and Half Dollar. Driving on Shoshone Sun Valley Road good. Temperature has been in upper 30s, skies cloudy.