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".   

Temperatures are back to winter again, and we did pick up about 2" of new snow to put a nice surface back on the snow after the Thursday/Friday thaw.  Cold through Tuesday, then warming a bit with some chance of rain, but cooler again by next weekend.  Clearly no meltdown in sight, so keep on skiing.
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The forecasts remain consistent that today, Thursday, and again on Friday will see temperatures in the 50s.  This won't be an extended thaw, however, and even these two very warm days won't diminish the snow depth very much in most areas.  South-facing slopes at lower elevations will likely become bare, but the Jackrabbit Trail,  backcountry trails, and the groomed centers will retain plenty of snow for the coming weekend.  While its a bit early to tell just how much, we will get some new snow as it cools down on Friday night and into Saturday.  This will mitigate what otherwise would be hard, frozen granular surface conditions.  Then highs only in the 20s Sunday and Monday before it again warms up to the upper 30s on Wednesday.

So, it looks like we have enough base (5' at Lake Colden and 6-7' at higher elevations) for an extended season of spring skiing.  As always, conditions can vary widely from hour to hour as the day warms up and softens any surface that froze up overnight, and this report won't try to keep up with these changes.  Watching the weather for predicted temperatures will be the best way to know what any skiing will be like.  

Update again on Saturday when we know how much snow actually fell overnight.

Sorry about no update on the promised Thursday, but there really wasn't anything that had changed since the previous report.  Still nice powder surfaces, jackrabbit Trail fully skiable, 60+ inches of snow at Lake Colden, and all X-C centers in full operation.  The only change to report now is that it now appears that Sunday's threatened rain will be all snow.  Not the nice light powder we've been enjoying for the past two weeks or so, but hey, wet snow is better than wet rain any day. Continued cold through mid week, but then significant warming trend on Thursday and Friday.  Friday may see temperatures topping 50, but cooler on Saturday, so no final meltdown of this nice base we've managed to accumulate.  That's it for now.

Not really much to update since last week.  Temperatures have remained below freezing, we've picked up a few more inches of snow, and all popular ski routes have been broken out and have great conditions.  The popular routes broken out include the seven mile ski to Boreas Ponds, and the parking area is again plowed.  Don't miss this opportunity to see that view when one can additionally ski out onto the ponds for a wider view. 

Mid-week will see true mid-winter cold with temperatures Wednesday and Thursday only reaching to low teens after a below zero start.  Friday is upper 20s, and Saturday will actually be close to 30.  Unfortunately, the warming trend continues into Sunday with the dreaded "R" word again in the forecast.  Sunday, however, is a long way off, and we will monitor the forecasts and provide an update - probably on Thursday, 3/7.