Update Wednesday evening:

The Jackrabbit Trail from Rock and River at the Keene end is skiable to the top of McKenzie Pass above Whiteface Inn Lane.  Given that Saranac Lake only received 4" of snow, a descent to McKenzie Pond cannot be recommended.

The Ausable Lake road is being driven, but there is plenty of skiable snow next to the vehicle tracks, and there is a skied in track for the first mile from the gate. Please extend it and keep the tracks as wide as the ones on the first mile.

Tuesday's big storm did not dump quite as much snow as predicted on the Jackrabbit Trail or the High Peaks in general.  4" in Saranac Lake, 6" in Lake Placid and Keene.  The north end of the Park and up to the St. Lawrence River did get nearly a foot.   Nevertheless, there is enough snow to ski the golf courses and the truck trails and no danger that this will melt before the weekend.  In fact, it will be more like mid-winter temperatures through the weekend before it warms up into the 40s to start next week.  

In the High Peaks, the snow does not yet reach the 12" threshold where regulations require snowshoes, but travel is generally easier with snowshoes if there is more than 6".  And as noted above, it will be full-on winter on the higher summits with goggles, face mask, and of course traction for any of the higher, steeper trails.  No report from Lake Colden, and no lake ice is anywhere close to safe.

For skiers, here is my current speculation about possibilities. No idea how much blowdown might still be down after the Halloween storm. More on Friday.

Marcy Dam Truck Trail:  Skiable to Marcy Dam.  Be aware that there are rocks that, while covered, present a hazard.

Hays Brook Truck Trail:  Enough snow to be skiable, but there may be blowdown.

Fish Pond Truck Trail: Same as Hays Brook.

Raquette Falls: First few miles skiable, but not enough to ski to the falls.

Ausable Lake Road:  Still likely being driven, so not a good surface for skiing.

Newcomb Lake Road: Likely skiable, but the remote monitoring equipment at the Huntington Forest is not updated.  Reports of conditions welcome.

Gulf Brook Road:  See Newcomb Lake Road
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After a bit of snow last week that made the Whiteface Highway skiable (reports of about 100 skiers on Saturday), we are now looking at a storm that will produce at least six inches and perhaps as much as 12 inches by Tuesday afternoon.  The weather will continue cold through the week with additional chances for more snow, so the coming weekend will likely have many new possible places to ski.

The downside of all this early snow is that the ground is not yet frozen.  Thus, whatever snow falls will be melting from the ground up as well as the top down.  Additionally, this early snow could prevent the frost from ever going very deep, resulting in all the little seeps continuing to spread water across the trails. Every season is different, so we will just have to wait and see how this current weather pattern affects the rest of the ski season.

UPDATE FRIDAY EVENING 11/8;

      The Whiteface Highway is now skiable from the Toll House!  Thin at first, but increasing depth as one gets higher. Many skiers sampled it today, but they left some snow for others.  

         Golf courses in Lake Placid have just enough snow to slide on, but that's about all there is.  

​        A bit warmer on Sunday, but not likely to melt much on the Whiteface Highway, and then cold temperatures return for the rest of the week with additional chances for more snow.

Temperatures above about 2,000 feet are below freezing and some snow has accumulated today.  More could accumulate overnight.  We'll therefore check the Whiteface Highway tomorrow afternoon while also assessing whether there can be any golf course skiing.

Hikers this weekend must be prepared for icy conditions with traction aids (read Microspikes) on any steep trail above 3,000 feet.

​Next week will remain cold through Wednesday at least, so we may have more skiing to report for next weekend.

Update 10/31/19:
     Another warm week with no snow even on the higher summits.  It will turn colder for the weekend after some heavy rain, so the higher summits could again have snow and ice that will impact hiking for the coming weekend.  We will also be having a work day on the Jackrabbit Trail on Sunday, 11/3, to clean the all-important drainage on the McKenzie Pass section of the trail.  Meet at the Jackrabbit Trail start on Whiteface Inn Lane.  More information at www.betatrails.org.

10/24/19 post: Since last weekend, we have seen many sunny days and generally warmer than average temperatures.  Consequently, the snow has melted back to 4,500 feet or above for the coming weekend - way too high to make it worthwhile to walk up the Whiteface Highway.  That still means snow and ice likely on the highest peaks.  Snowshoes won't be necessary, but traction aids (read "microspikes") will likely be essential to keep you on the trail and not trampling on the vegetation on the side in order to gain traction.  

Next week does not now look like it will produce any skiable snow, but we'll be watching and post again next week.

The nor'easter that blew through on Thursday dropped considerable snow at the higher elevations.  At least one skier checked out the Whiteface Highway where there was over 6" near the summit.  We'll get a reading on what elevation the snow starts at and post an update this evening.  While this is primarily a ski condition report, this snow will have a major effect on anyone's hiking plans for the weekend.  Saturday and Sunday will be sunny with temperatures in the 50s, so there will be some melting; but it is unlikely to be all melted above 4,000 feet by Sunday.  More normal October temperatures return next week with more rain in the middle of the week, so this doesn't appear to be the beginning of the ski season - just the season when each weekend's hiking may or may not be impacted by snow and ice.  Whiteface Highway selfie by Ron Konowitz below.
Friday evening update:
There is skiable snow on the Whiteface Highway starting two-1/2 miles up at about 3,500 feet.  Snow depth at the top of the highway (4,500 feet) is over one foot, and that should "translate" to snow depth at similar elevations in the High Peaks.  Saturday and Sunday will be mostly sunny, so the snow line will melt back progressively during the weekend.  Even so, Sunday snow depths will still be significant at 4,000 feet.  Plan your hike or ski accordingly.  Photo of snow (and snowman on picnic table) at 3,500 feet below.

This past week there was considerable snow melt, but much snow remain up high.  Pretty much any place above 3,000 ft. will have snow, and some sheltered/northern exposure areas below that elevation will also still have snow. Above 4,000 ft there is at least three feet, maybe more, and any trail that has been hike at all during the winter will likely have a snow "spine" that will make skiing next to impossible.  Additionally, late season post-holders have caused further deterioration for both skiers and hikers.  And this past week rangers had to rescue a group of young males stranded on Mt. Colden.  They were post-holing in shorts and sneakers.  Don't create another rescue.

As promised last week, this will be the last report of the season, but we will offer some ideas for early season hikes in the area.  
      Blueberry Cobbles/Bald Peak in New Russia:  Low elevation start, southern exposure, and located in the snow "shadow" of the higher peaks this is free of snow and has had time to dry out.  
       Rooster Comb in Keene Valley: Also low elevation start, and most of the higher part of the trail has a southern exposure.  No snow there, but still a bit wetter than Bald/Blueberry.
        Blueberry Mt. in Keene Valley: A bit wet low down before the trail crosses over to the southern exposure side of the brook, and much of the upper part of this steep climb is on bare rock.
         Champlain Valley trails:  Small peaks, but perfect this time of year.  Try Coon Mt., Split rock Mt. Wildway Overlook, or Poke-o-Moonshine.

​       Have a good summer, and we'll be back next fall when the peaks begin to turn white again.

I am sure it's just a few die-hards who may actually check these conditions now, but here's a review of what has happened this past week.  We've had rain, wind, and temperatures in the upper 40s and 50s in the valleys, which translates to a considerable amount of melting in the mountains below 2,500 feet.  Above that elevation, there is still snow with at least 4-5 feet at 4,000 feet judging by there still being nearly 4 feet at Lake Colden.  Skis or snowshoes are still required past Marcy Dam.  Exactly where the Marcy trail becomes skiable right now is "personal preference", but definitely enough snow above the bridge over Phelps Brook (aka 50-meter bridge, but now more like 5-meter bridge) about 1.3 mi. past Marcy Dam.  

Friday will be rainy with 60s in the valleys, and the rain will continue at least through Friday night, so more melting yet.  Sunday will be clear and a bit cooler, followed by cooler mid-week.  

The road to Newcomb Lake is reportedly still skiable all the way, but the few south-facing slopes could be bare by the end of the weekend.  Next week we'll "sign off' with recommendations for appropriate mud season hikes, along of course with any late-season ski reports from Marcy or elsewhere.  Happy Spring! 

It's probably only the die-hards who are still checking this page, so you know what "spring conditions" mean - hard and fast when it's cold, brooks without bridges problematic to cross, and softening ice on lakes.  That said, here are a few specifics after a week that included rain on Monday and Tuesday, temps in the 50s on Thursday with a bit warmer temps Friday (and maybe some rain) and Saturday.  Cooler again as we go into next week, but still above freezing most of each day.  

Specifically, the only section of the Jackrabbit Trail that is sure to still be skiable is the section from Whiteface Inn Lane to the top of the pass.  Approaches to the High Peaks are definitely deteriorating, but still have cover.  Beyond Marcy Dam, it's still looks a lot like winter with skis or snowshoes still very much required.  4-1/2' of snow at Lake Colden with 5-6' feet (and maybe more in some places) still at 4,000 feet.  Except for Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden, no lake ice can be considered safe; and still there is the caveat to stay away from inlets and outlets.  The Opalescent now prevents crossing Flowed Lands to access Lake Colden from the south.  

The next update next week should be able to recommend a few hikes that have sufficiently thawed to be possible options for early season hiking.

Update 4/6/19:

     Saturday and Sunday will be nice with temperatures in the 50, but by Sunday evening it will rain and continue through Tuesday.  After that temperatures will only be in the 40s and below freezing at night.  Good for maple sugaring, but a challenge to pick the right moment to ski on all the snow that is still there.

     McKenzie Pond Rd. approach to the Jackrabbit Trail has a fair amount of icy stretches for the first mile, but has mostly good cover after that to the pond, and full cover to the height of land.  It's all "slideable"in that first mile, just not ideal.  

      Whiteface Inn Lane approach is in good shape.  

     From River Rd. there is just enough snow to start toward Lake Placid, and conditions improve  once in the woods.  

       Old Mountain Road section has mostly good cover from each end.

       Otherwise, approaches to the High Peaks are in good shape still, but no 'guarantees' after the sometimes heavy rain on Monday.

4/4/19
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I'm back from travels to Norway.  Sounds as though it was "spring conditions" the past two weeks with the actual skiing totally dependent on the "weather of the moment."  Now that it is April, Mt.Van Hoevenberg is not grooming as extensively as during the regular season, but there is still good cover on all the trails and will be for several more weeks.  Cascade is closed, but the Paul Smiths VIC has 15-25" and will also offer several more weeks of skiing. Jackrabbit Trail also remains mostly skiable with just a few open golf course areas coming bare.  

In the backcountry, Lake Colden reports five feet of snow with 7-8' higher up.  The Loj, South Meadow, and Upper Works approaches to Lake Colden all still have good cover.  Skis or snowshoes are still required for travel in the High Peaks and will be required for several more weeks.

Tomorrow, Friday, looks to be a mix of snow and rain followed by 50s and sunny on Saturday before more April showers Sunday through Tuesday.  As the previous report said, "keep skiing".