Following a "relatively fantastic" weekend for ski touring on the Jackrabbit Trail, the region experienced a brief warm spell on Tuesday with temperatures reaching into the mid-40s at lower elevations, accompanied by mixed precipitation throughout the day in the form of snow squalls, sleet, and rain.  Thankfully the rain wasn't heavy and did not significantly impact ski conditions on most trails.  We picked up a dusting to a few inches on Tuesday night and the forecast is calling for additional accumulation on Thursday night.  

​National Weather Service Forecast for Lake Placid

Skiers can expect to find "fast and firm" packed powder conditions and good ski tracks on the vast majority of un-groomed trails in the region, with the thin base persisting in some spots and varying depths of consolidated powder in the woods.  Excellent conditions were observed and reported on the Jackrabbit over the weekend, and at least one report from Wednesday on Mackenzie Pass indicates that not a whole lot has changed since the rain on Tuesday.
​  
We had a great turnout Sunday for the Theresa Klauck Memorial Ski on the Jackrabbit Trail, and for the annual Pool Party that followed. The event raised $1000 to support maintenance of the Jackrabbit and other ski trails under the stewardship of BETA.

Huge thanks to the Crowne Plaza Resort Lake Placid - Golf Club and the Lussi Family for making their pool available for this event and for allowing for the development of ski and bike trails on their property.
And many thanks to these Pool Party event sponsors - Cascade X-C Ski Center, Elk Lake Lodge, Origin Coffee Co., The Lake Placid Pub and Brewery, Cycle Adirondacks and Mr. Mike's Pizza & Italian Kitchen
​
There was a rather serious rescue operation on the North Face of Pitchoff Mountain on Saturday, and NYSDEC personnel accessed the accident site on snowmobile via the Old Mountain Road section of the Jackrabbit Trail to treat and evacuate the injured ice climber.  Skiers should expect to encounter snowmobile tracks if touring in this area.  

The Whiteface Toll Road is in great shape with good pavement coverage on all but the usual windswept corners.  

This report will be updated this afternoon with information for backcountry ski conditions in the High Peaks (we're waiting for a call back from the Lake Colden DEC outpost).
​ 
Upcoming Events

Jan 29 - Friday Night Farm Dinner w/ Crowfeather @ Cascade XC Center

Feb 5-7 - Empire State Winter Games
- Winter Bike Races @ Mount Pisgah
- Snowshoe Races @ Paul Smiths' VIC
- Biathlon Races @ Mt. Van Hoevenberg
- Cross Country Races @ Mt. Van Hoevenberg

Feb 11 - Cabin Fever Cure Dance Party @ Dewey Mountain

BETA-ASTC Backcountry Ski Trips (Feb 13 and Feb 21)

XC Ski Area Conditions (click links)

​Cascade XC Center
Mt. Van Hoevenberg
Paul Smiths VIC

SNOW!  This week brought approximately 4-12" of new snow accumulation across the region, and the skiing is as good as its been all season.  Generally skiers can expect to find powder and packed powder on the more popular sections of the Jackrabbit Trail, as well as the Connery Pond, Hays Brook and Heaven Hill trails, with 4-6" of fresh snow covering the rain crust from last week in the woods and on un-tracked trails at lower elevations.  

​National Weather Service forecast for Lake Placid - Looks like the big storm hitting Washington DC and the eastern seaboard will miss us entirely.  However the weekend looks spectacular with lots of sun and temps in the 20s through Sunday.  No new snow in the forecast for now.
 
On the Avalanche Pass and Whales Tail Ski Trails today we found powder conditions on above Marcy Dam but not much base to cover the larger rocks, especially on Whales Tail.  Between Marcy Dam and the bottom of the Avalanche Pass Ski Trail, skiers will find mostly smooth skiing wit a few open drainages and exposed boulders, and caution is needed on many of the downhills.   There's 8-12" in the woods higher up, on top of the rain crust from last week. 

The hiking trail below Marcy Dam is skiable but thin in spots.  Boardwalks and log structures are still exposed but passable.  The Old Marcy Dam trail is the better approach from the Loj at this point.  The Old Algonquin Trail is thin but still better skiing than the main Algonquin/Wright Peak hiking trail if you are skiing Whales Tail.  The Truck Trail appears to be in great condition at Marcy Dam, though we did not ski it today.  No report yet from Wright Peak Ski Trail, but the condition of the hiking trail leads us to believe it needs much more snow to be a worthwhile endeavor.

Other good possibilities include the Fish Pond Truck Trail with good cover and a good skied-in track. Ice on the ponds is mostly free of slush.  Hayes Brook Truck Trail to the Sheep Meadow and Grass Pond also has good cover and has been broken out.

​Road to the Lower Ausable Lake is very thin at the gate and for the next 1/4 mile, but cover improves at the first climb. Packed flat by snowmobiles, so no ski tracks.

Slides on Mt. Colden and Wright Peak are filling in nicely, but still need a big storm to really set things up. 

BETA-ASTC POOL PARTY THIS SUNDAY

This Sunday, January 24, Barkeater Trails Alliance is hosting the 24th Annual "Ski & Swim" Pool Party from 3pm to 6pm at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Lake Placid.  

More details HERE and HERE.

​BEFORE THE POOL PARTY - JOIN US FOR A SKI!

Annual Theresa Klauck Memorial Ski on the Jackrabbit Trail
Cascade XC Center to Lake Placid
Sunday, January 24
Meet at 11:30am at Cascade Lodge (depart around 12pm)
End at the Crowne Plaza in time for the Meeting & Pool Party

Each year long-time friends of the Jackrabbit Trail get together to pay homage to Theresa Klauck.  Before her unexpected death in 2001, Theresa was a dedicated volunteer on the Jackrabbit, and served on the Adirondack Ski Touring Council's Board of Directors from 1992 to 1994.  The bridge just north of Craig Wood was constructed and dedicated in her honor. 

XC Ski Area Conditions (click links)

​Cascade XC Center
Mt. Van Hoevenberg
Paul Smiths VIC

Happy Weekend Skiers!  No new snow since Wednesday, but many area trails are skiable for the MLK holiday weekend.  We're expecting another dusting today (more at higher elevations) and another 2-4 inches by the end of the day on Monday, with single-digit temps returning on Tuesday.  

The Jackrabbit Ski Trail is passable in most locations.  At lower elevations on either side of Mackenzie Pass and from Whiteface Club to Cascade sections, skiers will find 1-2 inches of new snow covering the hard crust that formed after the rain event last week.  Beginner and intermediate skiers should use extreme caution on downhills as many rocks are still lurking under the surface.  At higher elevations on the pass the trail is in great condition with 3-4 inches of snow covering the crust, but caution is still needed on the downhills.   The Old Mountain Rd section has the least coverage and should probably only be attempted as an out and back from the Rock & River trailhead.  

Local BETA members report good conditions on the Connery Pond Ski Trail.  Newcomb has about 6" of snow with some crusty base underneath.  The preparations for this weekend's Santanoni open house mean there is a snowmobile track in the center of the road with a skied-in track on each side for most of the way to Camp Santanoni.  Definitely great skiing.  Fish Pond Truck Trail has been skied but "dust on crust" conditions remain.

The High Peaks have about 6-12 inches of snow, with the hard rain crust underneath.  Skiing is possible below and above Marcy Dam, but with caution on downhills and well-traveled trails due to ice and barely covered rocks.  There's 12 inches at the stake at the Lake Colden Interior Outpost and skiers are likely to encounter deeper snow drifts in some locations at higher elevations. 

National Weather Service forecast for Lake Placid

XC Ski Area Conditions (click links)

​Cascade XC Center
Mt. Van Hoevenberg
Paul Smiths VIC

Upcoming Events

Jan 16-18 - Winter Weekends at Great Camp Santanoni

Jan 17 - Sunday Ski & Music at the VIC  (Paul Smiths)

Jan 23 - Cascade XC Center Full Moon Party

Jan 24 - SAVE THE DATE - BETA-ASTC 24th Annual "Ski & Swim" Pool Party (3pm-6pm) and Bi-annual Meeting (2pm-3pm)

Snow, Snow, Snow in the forecast for the remainder of this week!  We're not expecting heavy accumulations, but after that rain on Sunday its a sight for sore eyes.  The Jackrabbit Trail and other ski trails took a beating from the rain but will start to recover today and you may find decent skiing on the mellower sections by Thursday.  For now the best option is sticking to relatively flat, smooth terrain.   We'll post a site specific description of conditions tomorrow.  

National Weather Service forecast for Lake Placid

XC Ski Area Conditions (click links)

​Cascade XC Center
Mt. Van Hoevenberg
Paul Smiths VIC

Upcoming Events

Jan 16-18 - Winter Weekends at Great Camp Santanoni

Jan 17 - Sunday Ski & Music at the VIC  (Paul Smiths)

Jan 23 - Cascade XC Center Full Moon Party

Jan 24 - SAVE THE DATE - BETA-ASTC 24th Annual "Ski & Swim" Pool Party (3pm-6pm) and Bi-annual Meeting (2pm-3pm)

Its been a great week for "early season" skiing in these parts and we've received a number of positive trip reports from popular ski trails in the region.  Alas, we're now watching the rapid melting of snow outside the BETA office and staring in disbelief at a weather forecast showing a high of 45F and a 100% of rain for Sunday, January 10.  The good news is this appears to be a short duration event and temperatures will drop below freezing again late Sunday night, with possible accumulations of 1-2 inches on Monday and snow showers on the horizon for most of next week.  

National Weather Service Forecast for Lake Placid 

Most sections of the Jackrabbit Ski Trail have been skied in the past week, with variable but "skiable" conditions reported from Paul Smiths to Keene.  Be sure to use caution on downhills if you're out on the Jackrabbit this weekend, as you're likely to encounter rocks lurking just below the snow surface.  Beaver ponds on the Old Mountain Road section were frozen and crossable earlier in the week, but we must advise against skiing on the ponds (or any other ice) now that things have heated up.  Hays Brook Trail has seen quite a bit of traffic, as has the Santanoni Trail in Newcomb, the Cooper Kiln Pond Trail from Bonnieview Rd in Wilmington and the new Heaven Hill Trails in Lake Placid, and skiers have reported great conditions in those locations.

Adirondack Powder Skiers Association reports good coverage on the Whiteface Toll Road and Avalanche Pass Ski Trails.  

​
As for predictions for the coming week...we're in "wait and see" mode until at least Monday morning.  

XC Ski Area Conditions (click links)

​Cascade XC Center
Mt. Van Hoevenberg
Paul Smiths VIC

Upcoming Events

Jan 16-18 - Winter Weekends at Great Camp Santanoni

Jan 17 - Sunday Ski & Music at the VIC  (Paul Smiths)

Jan 23 - Cascade XC Center Full Moon Party

Jan 24 - SAVE THE DATE - BETA-ASTC 24th Annual "Ski & Swim" Pool Party (3pm-6pm) and Bi-annual Meeting (2pm-3pm)

Wow...what a way to start the New Year, especially after the downright tropical December we experienced!

The BETA region picked up a few inches of light fluffy snow over the weekend with localized snow squalls bringing additional accumulation in some areas on Sunday.   The Jackrabbit Trail is skiable for most of its length (section between Rt. 73 and Rock & River will have the least snow coverage), but the hard crust from the December 28 storm is still present and is creating challenging conditions, especially on the hills.  

Until we get more snow, we'd recommend sticking to the XC ski areas with groomed terrain or smooth, flat trails and golf courses.  See links at bottom of sidebar for XC ski area conditions.

Forecast for Lake Placid region -  Cold today and Tuesday with below zero temps at night, then back into the 30s starting Wednesday with a chance of snow showers next weekend.  No snow in the forecast otherwise.

Upcoming Events

January 8 - Cascade XC Center - Friday Night Farm Dinner with Big Slyde

January 9 - Adirondack Loj - ADK Mountain Club Winterfest

January 24 - Crowne Plaza Resort - Annual BETA/ASTC Pool Party & Annual Meeting (stay tuned for details)