19th Hole: The Readers Take Over

NOT BANKRUPT
Sirs:
Re your statement, " Squaw Valley has been nipped by the black frost of bankruptcy" (The New Snow places Are Show-places, Nov. 20):

Last season, skier acceptance of Squaw Valley USA hit a new peak—there was a 25% increase in lift receipts over any previous year and net cash flow exceeded $1.5 million.

This summer a capital expenditure of $500,000 produced one new double-chair lift, two older lifts modernized, new equipment of all kinds and a 50% increase in parking area.

To start this 1972-73 season Squaw Valley USA 's great skiing facilities include a 120-passenger aerial tramway (the world's largest), an 8,000-foot 600-passenger-per-hour gondola, 18 double-chair lifts and four platter lifts (for a total uphill capacity of 22,500 skiers per hour)—all on an internationally famous mountain largely owned in fee.

Right now (Nov. 19) we have five feet of new snow, 4,000 skiers and $250,000 cash sitting in the bank.

If this is bankruptcy, who needs to be solvent?
ALEXANDER C. CUSHING
President
Squaw Valley USA
Squaw Valley , Calif.

? SI 's statement was intended to refer to disappointments of the State of California in associated ventures in Squaw Valley rather than to the successful efforts of Mr. Cushing. Skiing is, of course, very much alive and well at Squaw.—ED.

HIGH TIDE
Sirs:
I was beginning to grow accustomed to the fact that Alabama did have the best team on the field Saturday Nov. 11, even though the Crimson Tide was somewhat stymied throughout the first half by our fabled Tiger defense. Then I read your article It's Alabama in a Runaway (Nov. 20) by Roy Blount Jr. May a cross burn in your yard forever.

On every football card I saw during game week, Alabama was favored by 10 to 14 points over LSU. We were looking for an upset, yes, but we were by no means tabbed as the favorite in that game. Had LSU taken advantage of Alabama 's turnovers as well as ' Bama took advantage of LSU's, it could easily have been a victory for the Tigers and a major upset.

We'd still like to see the Bear walk on water. We'd also like to see our quarterback, Bert Jones , win the Heisman Trophy.
DARRYL FORESTIER
Baton Rouge