We did a big tour in the High Peaks yesterday - out to Avalanche Lake, up the Trap Dike and down the Southeast Slide on Colden, and returned via the Lake Arnold trail to Marcy Dam and the Loj. All trails were extremely firm and fast, with hard water ice in places below Marcy Dam. Untracked snow outside of the ski/snowshoe track is very crusty and difficult to ski. Snow cover on trails was good yesterday but will be diminished further by today's warm temperatures. Snow on the slides and above treeline is mostly rain-affected and crusty from the precipitation on Sunday.
Conditions will be similar on most sections of the Jackrabbit Ski Trail and other surrounding trails.
Skiers heading out this weekend should expect to encounter difficult, icy conditions with rocks and roots exposed in some areas. After the rain this evening temperatures will drop again on Friday evening to a low of -1F. Sunny with temps in the mid-20sF on Saturday and Sunday.
The best skiing will be on groomed trails this weekend. If you must go into the backcountry, stick to the flatter trails. We don't recommend attempting Marcy, Wright Peak or Whales Tail ski trails this weekend.
We'll update again on Monday. Until then, think snow.