Blog Archives - Jackrabbit Ski Trail

1/30 Update

1/30/2015

Instead of the predicted 3-5 inches, we'll have to settle for 2-3" of new snow. This doesn't really change the ski conditions as reported below. Forecast still calls for very cold temperatures on Saturday (high in the single digits) but somewhat warmer on Sunday. Thus all popular ski routes remain skiable with a bit of fresh powder on top.

Conditions 1/29/2015

1/29/2015

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

- While we haven't had any big snowfalls, the past week or so has seen just enough new snow to bring most popular backcountry routes and the Jackrabbit Trail into good condition. While we only received an inch or so from the big coastal storm, the forecast calls for 3-5" of new snow Thursday night and Friday. Temperatures will fall Friday afternoon with below zero readings on Friday night and only a high in the single digits on Saturday. A bit warmer on Sunday, but the warming will be slow and we don't expect the temperature to hit the 20s until Wednesday.
JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS: Base Depth - 6-10"
Surface Conditions - Powder and crust
Km Open - 50 km

Remarks - Hills still require caution. All rocks are covered, but not always by very much snow - particularly in the first 1/2 mile above Whiteface Inn Lane and at the Keene end of the Old Mt. Road section. New snow Friday should finally provide full cover.
Meadow Lane now closed for the winter. Adds nearly a mile each way on the Marcy Dam Truck Trail. Skis or snowshoes required in the High Peaks, needed elsewhere. Good traction still required for the steeper mountain trails.

- Truck trail still the recommended choice over the hiking trail to Marcy Dam, but hiking trail can be skied, starting on the Old Marcy Dam Trail. Boulders below Avalanche Camp now mostly covered. Overall, good skiing.
- Wright Peak and Marcy need more new snow to again be really skiable, but Friday's storm should finally put both trails in good shape.
- The Calamity Brook Trail finally fully skiable. Opalescent River now frozen at Flowed Lands and crossable with care.
- Road to Newcomb Lake good skiing with now 15" of cover. Moose Pond now also good skiing.
- Fish Pond and Hays Brook truck trails skiable. Raquette Falls also skiable.
- Connery Pond to Whiteface Landing skiable.
- Lake Colden and Avalanche Lake crossable, but avoid the outlet of Avalanche Lake. Other lakes also safe to cross.
- Whiteface Highway skiable from the Toll House.
- Keene Valley/Garden Parking still has marginal cover and not really skiable to JBL.
- Lake Road to Lower Ausable Lake packed by snowmobiles, a bit thin at the very beginning, but skiable.
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Conditions 1/26/2015

1/26/2015

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

- Pretty much what we see today, Monday, is what we get for the week and into next weekend. While we haven't had any big snowfalls, the past week or so has seen just enough new snow to bring most popular backcountry routes and the Jackrabbit Trail into pretty good condition. As of Monday morning it appears we will miss all of the snow that is currently predicted to bury New York and Boston. Cold Monday and Tuesday, but then warming as the week progresses - a pattern that we've seen for the past several weeks. With the continued stable conditions, the next update will be on Thursday, 1/29 when we have a better idea of the weekend weather.
JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS: Base Depth - 6-10"
Surface Conditions - Powder and crust
Km Open - 50 km

Remarks - Hills still require caution. All rocks are covered, but not always by very much snow - particularly in the first 1/2 mile above Whiteface Inn Lane and at the Keene end of the Old Mt. Road section.
Meadow Lane now closed for the winter. Adds nearly a mile each way on the Marcy Dam Truck Trail. Skis or snowshoes required in the High Peaks, needed elsewhere. Good traction still required for the steeper mountain trails.

- Truck trail still the recommended choice over the hiking trail to Marcy Dam, but hiking trail can be skied, starting on the Old Marcy Dam Trail. Boulders below Avalanche Camp now mostly covered, and only a few thinner spots on the ski trail to the top of the pass and down to Lake Colden. Overall good skiing.
- Wright Peak and Marcy still need more new snow to again be really skiable, although Marcy above the steep hill after 50-meter (now 5-meter) bridge is in good shape.
- The Calamity Brook Trail still a bit rough but skiable. Opalescent River now frozen at Flowed Lands and crossable with care.
- Road to Newcomb Lake good skiing with now 12" of cover. Moose Pond now also good skiing.
- Fish Pond and Hays Brook truck trails skiable. Raquette Falls now skiable, but caution is still required on the hills as not all obstacles are fully covered.
- Connery Pond to Whiteface Landing skiable.
- Lake Colden and Avalanche Lake crossable, but avoid the outlet of Avalanche Lake. Other lakes also safe to cross.
- Whiteface Highway skiable from the Toll House.
- Keene Valley/Garden Parking still has marginal cover and not really skiable to JBL.
- Lake Road to Lower Ausable Lake packed by snowmobiles, a bit thin at the very beginning, but skiable.
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Conditions 1/22/2015 and beyond

1/22/2015

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

- Pretty much what we see on Thursday is what we get for the weekend and beyond. Warming to the 30s on Saturday with a chance of some light snow, but then again cooling to about seasonal norms for Sunday and into next week with still no significant new snow in sight. Fortunately, we still have a good base, although surfaces are a bit "crispy" and fast given our lack of any new snow. Given these very stable conditions, next update on Monday, 1/26 when we have a better idea of any chance for snow next week.
JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS: Base Depth - 6-10"
Surface Conditions - Powder and crust
Km Open - 50 km

Remarks - Hills still require caution as not every rock is fully covered - particularly in the first 1/2 mile above Whiteface Inn Lane and at the Keene end of the Old Mt. Road section.
Meadow Lane now closed for the winter. Adds nearly a mile each way on the Marcy Dam Truck Trail. Skis or snowshoes required in the High Peaks, needed elsewhere. Good traction still required for the steeper mountain trails.
Lake Colden and the higher elevations did pick up some snow earlier in the week when other areas had a few brief rain showers. So while it's still not full mid-winter conditions the skiing in from the Loj at least is improved from last weekend.

- Truck trail still the recommended choice over the hiking trail to Marcy Dam, but hiking trail can be skied, starting on the Old Marcy Dam Trail. Boulders below Avalanche Camp now mostly covered, and only a few thiner spots on the ski trail to the top of the pass and down to Lake Colden. Overall good skiing.
- Wright Peak and Marcy still need more new snow to again be really skiable, although Marcy above the steep hill after 50-meter (now 5-meter) bridge is in good shape.
- The Calamity Brook Trail still a bit rough but skiable. Opalescent River now frozen at Flowed Lands and crossable with care.
- Road to Newcomb Lake good skiing with now 12" of cover. Moose Pond now also good skiing.
- Fish Pond and Hays Brook truck trails skiable. Raquette Falls now skiable, but caution is still required on the hills as not all obstacles are fully covered.
- Connery Pond to Whiteface Landing skiable.
- Lake Colden and Avalanche Lake crossable, but avoid the outlet of Avalanche Lake. Other lakes also finally safe to cross.
- Whiteface Highway skiable from the Toll House.
- Keene Valley/Garden Parking still has marginal cover and not really skiable to JBL.
- Lake Road to Lower Ausable Lake packed by snowmobiles, a bit thin at the very beginning, but skiable.
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Conditions 1/19/2015

1/19/2015

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

- While we did have about 24 hours of above freezing temperatures and even some rain, there was no significant loss of snow cover, so I guess this doesn't really "qualify" as a "January thaw". Temperatures will be dropping on Monday with daytime highs on Tuesday and Wednesday only in the teens. Warming again to highs in the 20s by the weekend. Some snow today as the temperatures drop, but no significant new snow in sight. Fortunately, we still have a good base, although surfaces will be a bit "crispy" until we get at least a few inches of new snow. Check back on Wednesday for an update.
JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS: Base Depth - 6-10"
Surface Conditions - Powder and crust
Km Open - 50 km
Remarks - Hills still require caution as not every rock is fully covered - particularly in the first 1/2 mile above Whiteface Inn Lane and at the Keene end of the Old Mt. Road section.
Meadow Lane now closed for the winter. Adds nearly a mile each way on the Marcy Dam Truck Trail. Skis or snowshoes required in the High Peaks, needed elsewhere. Good traction still required for the steeper mountain trails.
- Truck trail still the recommended choice over the hiking trail to Marcy Dam, but hiking trail can be skied, starting on the Old Marcy Dam Trail. Some boulders to dodge getting to Avalanche Camp, and still some thin spots on the ski trail to the top of the pass and down to Lake Colden, but overall quite skiable.
- Wright Peak and Marcy still need more new snow to again be skiable.
- The Calamity Brook Trail still a bit rough but skiable. Opalescent River now frozen at Flowed Lands and crossable with care.
- Road to Newcomb Lake good skiing with now 12" of cover. Moose Pond now also good skiing.
- Fish Pond and Hays Brook truck trail skiable. Raquette Falls probably not yet.
- Connery Pond to Whiteface Landing skiable.
- Lake Colden and Avalanche Lake crossable, but avoid the outlet of Avalanche Lake. Other lakes also finally safe to cross.
- Whiteface Highway skiable from the Toll House.
- Lake Road to Lower Ausable Lake packed by snowmobiles, a bit thin at the very beginning, but skiable.
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Sunday 1/18 update

1/18/2015

No significant change from the conditions posted on 1/15 except temperatures have warmed to above freezing. We may experience a little rain before it cools off Sunday night and snows with now 2-4" predicted to fall by Monday afternoon. While we will miss most of the snow from this coastal storm, we will also miss most of the rain, so no real change in the conditions anticipated for the coming week. Update again on Monday when we know what actually happened.

Conditions 1/15/2015

1/15/2015

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

- No big storms, but with 6-7" falling during the past week conditions are much better than last weekend. Temperatures in the 20s Thursday and Friday with some additional snow Friday and Friday night. Colder on Saturday with daytime highs in the teens, and then warming to near 30 on Sunday. Still no major new snow in sight, but so far no January thaw either - just briefly above freezing on Sunday afternoon before cooling off and a chance of more light snow going into next week
JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS: Base Depth - 6-10"
Surface Conditions - Powder
Km Open - 50 km
Remarks - Hills still require caution as not every rock is fully covered - particularly in the first 1/2 mile above Whiteface Inn Lane and at the Keene end of the Old Mt. Road section.
Meadow Lane now closed for the winter. Adds nearly a mile each way on the Marcy Dam Truck Trail. Skis or snowshoes required in the High Peaks, needed elsewhere. Good traction still required for the steeper mountain trails.
- Truck trail still the recommended choice over the hiking trail to Marcy Dam, but hiking trail can be skied, starting on the Old Marcy Dam Trail. Some boulders to dodge getting to Avalanche Camp, and still some thin spots on the ski trail to the top of the pass and down to Lake Colden, but overall quite skiable.
- Wright Peak and Marcy still need more new snow to again be skiable.
- The Calamity Brook Trail still a bit rough but skiable. Opalescent River now frozen at Flowed Lands and crossable with care.
- Road to Newcomb Lake good skiing with now 12" of cover. Moose Pond now also good skiing.
- Fish Pond and Hays Brook truck trail skiable. Raquette Falls probably not yet.
- Connery Pond to Whiteface Landing skiable.
- Lake Colden and Avalanche Lake crossable, but avoid the outlet of Avalanche Lake. Other lakes also finally safe to cross.
- Whiteface Highway skiable from the Toll House.
- Lake Road to Lower Ausable Lake packed by snowmobiles, a bit thin at the very beginning, but skiable.
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Update 1/13/2015

1/13/2015

We received about 2" of light snow overnight. Not enough to change the conditions as reported for the weekend, but then every little bit helps. Very cold today and tonight, but warming to the 20s by Thursday and staying in the high 20s to low 30s through the weekend. Maybe a bit more snow on Friday. Next update on Thursday when we know if there are any changes in the weekend forecast.

Update 1/12/15

1/12/2015

No real change from Saturday's report. A bit more new snow, but still the best skiing is at the groomed centers. The Paul Smith's VIC does report 2" of new snow and now all trails except Esker and Fox Run as open - with caution still on the downhills. A chance for as much as 3" of new snow tonight, then bitterly cold on Tuesday and then warming for the rest of the week. No snow in the forecast after tonight.

In Nordic skiing news, congratulations to Liz Stephen of East Montpelier, VT for her 5th place finish in the seven stage Tour de Ski. She was indeed the "best of the rest" finishing in 5th place just behind four Norwegians.

Conditions 1/10/2015

1/10/2015

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

- Some 2-3" of light snow fell Friday and Friday night. Not enough to make the steeper backcountry trails skiable, but the gentler terrain, most of the Jackrabbit Trail are finally in reasonable shape. Best skiing remains at Mt. Van Hoevenberg and Cascade. Seasonable temperature predicted Sunday and into next week, but no significant additional snow in the forecast.
JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS: Base Depth - 4-8" (less where there were washouts)
Surface Conditions - Powder
Km Open - 50 km
Remarks - Hills still require caution as not every rock is fully covered - particularly in the first 1/2 mile above Whiteface Inn Lane and at the Keene end of the Old Mt. Road section.
Meadow Lane now closed for the winter. Adds nearly a mile each way on the Marcy Dam Truck Trail. Skis or snowshoes required in the High Peaks, needed elsewhere. Good traction still required for the steeper mountain trails.
- Truck trail definitely still the recommended choice over the hiking trail to Marcy Dam. Some boulders to dodge getting to Avalanche Camp, and still some thin spots on the ski trail to the top of the pass, but overall more skiable than two days ago
- Wright Peak and Marcy definitely need a lot more new snow to again be skiable.
- The Calamity Brook Trail rough but negotiable on skis. Opalescent River now frozen at Flowed Lands and crossable with care.
- Road to Newcomb Lake good skiing with now 7" of cover. Moose Pond now also good skiing.
- Fish Pond and Hays Brook truck trail skiable. Raquette Falls probably not yet.
- Connery Pond to Whiteface Landing skiable.
- Lake Colden and Avalanche Lake crossable, but avoid the outlet of Avalanche Lake. Other lakes also finally safe to cross.
- Whiteface Highway skiable from the Toll House with a deeper base starting a mile or so up.
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