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

This season begins to look like one of the best in the sport's history, with plenty of snow and good skiing conditions at almost all areas

FAR WEST: MT. BALDY, CALIF.: 48-60 PP. Old hands are beating traffic jams and lift lines by skiing in midweek; and beating discomforting high winds by skiing the bowls.

SUGAR BOWL, CALIF.: PP surface on 84 base. Waiting time at chair lift has run as high as 20 minutes.

SQUAW VALLEY, CALIF.: Best skiing of the season, thanks to 6-12 new PP on 48-108 base. Daytime temps. 50-55�. About 700 came last weekend. Waiting time on chair lift was only about five minutes; but weekend accommodations are usually filled, so make reservations.

EDELWEISS, CALIF.: 10-12 new PP on 36-72 HP base.

RENO, NEV.: 12-18 PO on 72 base. About 125 youngsters, 6 to 18, were in first junior meet here last Sunday.

NORTHWEST: MT. BAKER, WASH.: Recent rains interrupted a streak of fine skiing. 3 W on 103 HP. Auto chains a must. The Chute is now open but not skiable. Standard Slalom races here Jan. 30.

GROUSE MT., BRITISH COLUMBIA: 7-9 NS, some W. on 65 86 HP. Mild weather has made surfaces heavy. Ski school set record last weekend with 1,375 students.