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Conditions 2/27/19

2/27/2019

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INTRODUCTION

​     The rain on Sunday didn't reduce the base by very much because it immediately turned around and snowed 3-4" on Monday.  Very high winds on Monday caused drifting while also blowing some areas clean, so not every area has been "restored" after Sunday's brief thaw.  So far, not much evidence of downed trees - maybe earlier high winds brought down anything likely to come down.  Nevertheless, be careful on any downhill if you don't know that it is fully clear.  And we always appreciate those who pause to toss errant branches aside.

      Continued cold on Wednesday with highs only in the low teens.  Warmer on Thursday, then 30s on Friday and Saturday with a chance of some light snow.  20s on Sunday, then highs just barely reaching 20 on Monday and Tuesday.  Winter is still in full force in the Adirondacks even as the World Nordic Championships in Austria are are going on with temperatures in the 50s.

  •  JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS​
  •  ​Base depth:  8-16"
  •  Surface Conditions:  Powder and frozen granular
  •  Km Open - 50
  •  Remarks - Given the winds on Monday and Tuesday, some areas could have been blown down to the frozen granular, and in any event all hills will be quite fast.  Otherwise, good, solid cover on the entire trail.
  • ​
  • BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS         
  • Snow depth at Lake Colden: 55"   
  • Snow depth at 4,000 feet - 4-5 feet 
  • Good cover on all backcountry trails.  Surface conditions will vary from fast downhills where it has been packed out to breakable crust on unbroken areas.  As noted above, the wind may have blown some of the new snow off in places, leaving nothing but frozen granular surfaces.  Likewise, trail breaking may encounter some deep drifts. 
  • Johns Brook trail from the Garden was skiable with care, but Keene Valley only received an inch or so of new snow on Monday.  Thus it is "dust on crust" with a few rocks still showing. 
  • Road to Lower Ausable Lake still has snowmobile traffic, but is otherwise very skiable with just the inch or roof snow.
  • Boreas parking area again plowed with good cover.  No report on how much new snow there or in Newcomb.
  • SKIS OR SNOWSHOES ARE REQUIRED ON ALL TRAILS IN THE HIGH PEAKS AND ABSOLUTELY SHOULD BE WORN ELSEWHERE - BOTH FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY AND TO PRESERVE GOOD CONDITIONS FOR ALL OTHERS. 

    X-C SKI CENTER CONDITIONS: (Groomed, trail fee required)
    ​
         Mt. Van Hoevenberg X-C Ski Center:  
    •  50km of trails, open daily, rentals, lessons, 518-523-2811, www.whiteface.com/activities/cross-country-skiing 
                    Base Depth (packed) -8" 
    •               Off track snow depth - 16"
                    Inches New Snow - 3" last 72 hours
                    Surface Conditions - Packed powder on frozen granular 
    •              Km Open - 50
                   Km Tracked 50
    •              Remarks -   

    •      Cascade X-C Ski Center:
    •     20 km of trails with connection to 50km at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, open daily, rentals, lessons, restaurant, bar.  518-523-9605, www.cascadeski.com
                    Base Depth(packed) -5" 
    •               Off track snow depth - 12"
                    Inches New Snow - 3" last 72 hours 
                    Surface Conditions - Packed powder on frozen granular  
                    Km Open - 15
                    Km Tracked - 10
                    Remarks - 
    • Paul Smith's VIC: www.trailhub.org/trail/generatepdf?orgid=TXpFMA==&actid=TVRVPQ==  
    •            30 km of trails, open daily, rentals, 518-327-6241, 
                             Base Depth (packed) - 14"
      •    Off track snow depth:  26"
           Inches New Snow: 
           Surface Conditions -   Packed powder on frozen granular
      •    Km Open - 30
           Km Tracked -
                            Remarks:  All trails open.                    
                                                                                 

                            Dewey Mountain - Saranac  Lake​
    •             13 km of trails, open daily (including nights until 7PM Tue. - Fri.), rentals, 891-2697         http://www.deweymountain.com 
                              Remarks - Lower trails groomed and good skiing.  Upper trails ungroomed , but still with some thin spots.   


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Weather update 2/24/19

2/24/2019

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Saturday was a beautiful day.  Lots of skiers out on the trials, hope you were one of them. As predicted, Sunday has become quite windy with temperatures in the 40s.  No significant loss of snow expected, and now 3-5" of new snow on Monday to restore the surfaces.  On the other hand, these winds will likely bring down some trees and branches, and it could be a few days before this new blowdown has been cleared, so be cautious before "letting it rip" on the downhills unless you have already been up the same trail.  

Following Monday's snow, the temperatures will plunge with highs not reaching 20 on Tuesday and Wednesday.  A little warmer on Thursday through Saturday, creeping above freezing on Friday.   A more complete report on Tuesday when we may know of the extent of storm damage and what the groomed centers have been able to do with this latest weather cycle.
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Conditions 2/21/19

2/21/2019

2 Comments

 
INTRODUCTION

      We continue on our temperature "roller-coaster", but fortunately nothing that will diminish to any great extent out existing snow cover.  Temperatures in the low 30s on Friday, a bit warmer on Saturday, and then 40s briefly on Sunday with  chance of some brief rain.  Then cooling off, with highs during the middle of the week only in the low 20s.

       Surface conditions currently are quite fast "ball-bearing fast" in some spots, and with a slight breakable crust outside of the packed areas.  Conditions will slow a bit as temperatures warm during the weekend, but should never become all that slow.  No significant new snow in the forecast.

  •  JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS​
  •  ​Base depth:  8-16"
  •  Surface Conditions:  Old powder and crust
  •  Km Open - 50
  •  Remarks -  Longer sections, Old Mt. Road and McKenzie Pass, broken.  Good cover on all sections.  Still quite fast on the downhills, but not as fast as a few days ago thanks to a bit of new snow.  
  • ​
  • BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS         
  • Snow depth at Lake Colden: 55"   
  • Snow depth at 4,000 feet - 4-5 feet 
  • Good cover on all backcountry trails.  Surface conditions will vary from fast downhills to breakable crust.
  • Johns Brook trail from the Garden now skiable with care as there are still a few rocks showing.
  • Road to Lower Ausable Lake still has snowmobile traffic, but is otherwise very skiable
  • SKIS OR SNOWSHOES ARE REQUIRED ON ALL TRAILS IN THE HIGH PEAKS AND ABSOLUTELY SHOULD BE WORN ELSEWHERE - BOTH FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY AND TO PRESERVE GOOD CONDITIONS FOR ALL OTHERS. 

    X-C SKI CENTER CONDITIONS: (Groomed, trail fee required)
    ​
         Mt. Van Hoevenberg X-C Ski Center:  
    •  50km of trails, open daily, rentals, lessons, 518-523-2811, www.whiteface.com/activities/cross-country-skiing 
                    Base Depth (packed) -8" 
    •               Off track snow depth - 16"
                    Inches New Snow - 1"
                    Surface Conditions - Groomed granular and powder 
    •              Km Open - 50
                   Km Tracked 50
    •              Remarks -   

    •      Cascade X-C Ski Center:
    •     20 km of trails with connection to 50km at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, open daily, rentals, lessons, restaurant, bar.  518-523-9605, www.cascadeski.com
                    Base Depth(packed) - 7" 
    •               Off track snow depth - 14"
                    Inches New Snow - 1" 
                    Surface Conditions - Groomed granular and powder  
                    Km Open - 15
                    Km Tracked - 10
                    Remarks - 
    • Paul Smith's VIC: www.trailhub.org/trail/generatepdf?orgid=TXpFMA==&actid=TVRVPQ==  
    •            30 km of trails, open daily, rentals, 518-327-6241, 
                             Base Depth (packed) - 14"
      •    Off track snow depth:  26"
           Inches New Snow: 
           Surface Conditions -   Groomed granular and powder
      •    Km Open - 30
           Km Tracked -
                            Remarks:  All trails open.                    
                                                                                 

                            Dewey Mountain - Saranac  Lake​
    •             13 km of trails, open daily (including nights until 7PM Tue. - Fri.), rentals, 891-2697         http://www.deweymountain.com 
                              Remarks - Lower trails groomed and good skiing.  Upper trails ungroomed , but still with some thin spots.   



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Amendment 2/17/19

2/17/2019

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Recent report is that, while it is icy and crusty to Marcy Dam and up to Avalanche Camp, there was little or no rain above that elevation, so Avalanche Pass is in good shape as are the Marcy and Wright Peak Ski Trail above 2,600 feet or so.
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Conditions 2/17/19

2/17/2019

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INTRODUCTION

     Cold temperatures have returned, unfortunately without much new snow following Friday's warm weather.  The best skiing will be at the groomed centers, and they do have plenty of snow to groom.  Elsewhere, trails that were broken out before Friday's thaw will be quite fast and bumpy.  Unbroken areas now have a breakable crust.

     Cold through Wednesday this week with some snow possible Wednesday and into Thursday.  Thursday will also see a warming trend back to the low 30s through Saturday.  We'll update later this week when the actual amount of snow expected (or actually falls) is known.

  •  JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS​
  •  ​Base depth:  6-12"
  •  Surface Conditions:  Frozen old powder and crust
  •  Km Open - 50
  •  Remarks -  Longer sections, Old Mt. Road and McKenzie Pass, broken.  Good cover on all sections, but will be quite fast on the downhills and recommended only for experienced skiers until we get a few more inches of new snow. 
  • ​
  • BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS         
  • Snow depth at Lake Colden: 49" (recent new snow minus settling and recent thaw)  
  • Snow depth at 4,000 feet - 4-5 feet 
  • Good cover on all backcountry trails.  Surface conditions will vary from fast downhills to breakable crust.
  • SKIS OR SNOWSHOES ARE REQUIRED ON ALL TRAILS IN THE HIGH PEAKS AND ABSOLUTELY SHOULD BE WORN ELSEWHERE - BOTH FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY AND TO PRESERVE GOOD CONDITIONS FOR ALL OTHERS.  The only exception would be where traction's required and no depression is being left in the snow.

    X-C SKI CENTER CONDITIONS: (Groomed, trail fee required)
    ​
         Mt. Van Hoevenberg X-C Ski Center:  
    •  50km of trails, open daily, rentals, lessons, 518-523-2811, www.whiteface.com/activities/cross-country-skiing 
                    Base Depth (packed) -7" 
    •               Off track snow depth - 12"
                    Inches New Snow - 0" new, but 8" past 5 days
                    Surface Conditions - Groomed granular and powder 
    •              Km Open - 50
                   Km Tracked 50
    •              Remarks -   

    •      Cascade X-C Ski Center:
    •     20 km of trails with connection to 50km at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, open daily, rentals, lessons, restaurant, bar.  518-523-9605, www.cascadeski.com
                    Base Depth(packed) - 7" 
    •               Off track snow depth - 12"
                    Inches New Snow - 0" new, 10" in the last 5 days
                    Surface Conditions - Groomed granular and powder  
                    Km Open - 15
                    Km Tracked - 10
                    Remarks - 
    • Paul Smith's VIC: www.trailhub.org/trail/generatepdf?orgid=TXpFMA==&actid=TVRVPQ==  
    •            30 km of trails, open daily, rentals, 518-327-6241, 
                             Base Depth (packed) - 16"
      •    Off track snow depth:  24"
           Inches New Snow: 
           Surface Conditions -   Groomed granular and powder
      •    Km Open - 30
           Km Tracked -
                            Remarks:  All trails open.                    
                                                                                 

                            Dewey Mountain - Saranac  Lake​
    •             13 km of trails, open daily (including nights until 7PM Tue. - Fri.), rentals, 891-2697         http://www.deweymountain.com 
                              Remarks - Lower trails groomed and good skiing.  Upper trails ungroomed , but still with some thin spots.   


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Conditions 2/15/19 - evening

2/15/2019

1 Comment

 
INTRODUCTION

     As predicted, we did see temperatures around 40for a few hours this afternoon along with some light rain.  No significant loss of snow, but definitely not a help to the skiing surfaces.  When it cools down tomorrow, expect fast, icy conditions where it has been broken out, but a light breakable crust in unbroken areas.  There will be some new snow showers in the next few days, so surface conditions will improve-if slowly.   Temperatures will remain below freezing through Thursday or perhaps longer, with highs only in the low 20s Sunday through Tuesday.  Perhaps not the greatest report for the upcoming Presidents Week, but at least we have a good layer of the white stuff on the ground, and therefore the groomed centers will have a good base to groom.

  •  JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS​
  •  ​Base depth:  6-12"
  •  Surface Conditions:  Powder
  •  Km Open - 50
  •  Remarks -  Longer sections, Old Mt. Road and McKenzie Pass, broken out as of Thursday.  Good cover on all sections, but will be quite fast on he downhills until we get a few more inches of new snow. 
  • ​
  • BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS         
  • Snow depth at Lake Colden: 49" (recent new snow minus settling and recent thaw)  
  • Snow depth at 4,000 feet - 4-5 feet 
  • Good cover on all backcountry trails.  Surface conditions will vary
  • After Tuesday's storm and despite the recent warm temperatures:  SKIS OR SNOWSHOES ARE REQUIRED ON ALL TRAILS IN THE HIGH PEAKS AND ABSOLUTELY SHOULD BE WORN ELSEWHERE - BOTH FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY AND TO PRESERVE GOOD CONDITIONS FOR ALL OTHERS.

    X-C SKI CENTER CONDITIONS: (Groomed, trail fee required)
    ​
         Mt. Van Hoevenberg X-C Ski Center:  
    •  50km of trails, open daily, rentals, lessons, 518-523-2811, www.whiteface.com/activities/cross-country-skiing 
                    Base Depth (packed) -6" 
    •               Off track snow depth - 12"
                    Inches New Snow - 6" past 72 hours
                    Surface Conditions - Packed powder 
    •              Km Open - 50
                   Km Tracked 50
    •              Remarks -   

    •      Cascade X-C Ski Center:
    •     20 km of trails with connection to 50km at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, open daily, rentals, lessons, restaurant, bar.  518-523-9605, www.cascadeski.com
                    Base Depth(packed) - 6" 
    •               Off track snow depth - 12"
                    Inches New Snow - 6" in the last 72 hours
                    Surface Conditions - Packed powder  
                    Km Open - 15
                    Km Tracked - 10
                    Remarks - 
    • Paul Smith's VIC: www.trailhub.org/trail/generatepdf?orgid=TXpFMA==&actid=TVRVPQ==  
    •            30 km of trails, open daily, rentals, 518-327-6241, 
                             Base Depth (packed) - 16"
      •    Off track snow depth:  24"
           Inches New Snow: 
           Surface Conditions -   Packed powder
      •    Km Open - 30
           Km Tracked -
                            Remarks:  All trails open.                    
                                                                                 

                            Dewey Mountain - Saranac  Lake​
    •             13 km of trails, open daily (including nights until 7PM Tue. - Fri.), rentals, 891-2697         http://www.deweymountain.com 
                              Remarks - Lower trails groomed and good skiing.  Upper trails ungroomed , but still with some thin spots.   



1 Comment

Conditions 2/13/19

2/13/2019

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The Adirondack Daily Enterprise headline noted that the storm ..."wasn't as bad as predicted...."  Well I guess it's all what one considers to be a "bad" snowstorm.  Anyway, the Saranac Lake/Paul Smiths area received 4-5" of new snow, increasing to 6" in LakePlacid and about 8" in Keene.  The snow fell at relatively warm temperatures, so it's a bit dense (at least in Keene), but probably just what we needed to cover up and stick to the crust. 

Mt. Van hoevenberg, Cascade, and the VIC are grooming today, and should be able to have most of their terrain open and groomed by tomorrow.  Thursday will be colder, but then it warms up again on Friday with even a chance for a bit of rain along with some additional snow. Then cooler on Saturday, further cooling Sunday through next Tuesday with high temperatures only in the low 20s.  

Next update on Friday evening when we see just what Friday's weather has been and what it has done to the skiing.  Otherwise, it's back to the mandatory use of skis or snowshoes in the High Peaks Wilderness (which now includes what was formerly the separate Dix Wilderness) and certainly needed elsewhere for you safety and the preservation of the trail surfaces. 
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Conditions 2/11/19

2/11/2019

0 Comments

 
Introduction

     Currently the conditions outside of the groomed centers can be summed up as "dust on crust".  That, however will change starting Tuesday afternoon and into Wednesday as this area is predicted to get 6-12" of new snow, and even 6" will be enough to bring every popular trail back into good conditions.  Don't wait, however, as by Friday it will be back above freezing with change of rain or snow extending into Saturday.  Sunday will again turn cold with temperatures only in the low 20s.  So, up and down with the temperatures.  The headline for one story on North Country Public Radio said "How the polar vortex is causing bipolar weather."  Next update late Wednesday when we can report on the storm totals.

  •  JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS​
  •  ​Base depth:  0-8"
  •  Surface Conditions:  Frozen granular
  •  Km Open - Cover on most every section, but no section can be recommended until we get more snow.
  •  Remarks -  
  • ​
  • BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS         
  • Snow depth at Lake Colden: 47"  
  • Snow depth at 4,000 feet - 4-5 feet 
  • ​No trail can really be recommended for skiing until we get some powder to cover up the hard and fast conditions.
  • Traction needed everywhere, but after Tuesday's storm: SKIS OR SNOWSHOES ARE REQUIRED ON ALL TRAILS IN THE HIGH PEAKS AND ABSOLUTELY SHOULD BE WORN ELSEWHERE - BOTH FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY AND TO PRESERVE GOOD CONDITIONS FOR ALL OTHERS.

    X-C SKI CENTER CONDITIONS: (Groomed, trail fee required)
    ​
         Mt. Van Hoevenberg X-C Ski Center:  
    •  50km of trails, open daily, rentals, lessons, 518-523-2811, www.whiteface.com/activities/cross-country-skiing 
                    Base Depth (packed) -3" 
    •               Off track snow depth - 6"
                    Inches New Snow -
                    Surface Conditions - Frozen and groomed granular 
    •              Km Open - 25
                   Km Tracked 20
    •              Remarks - Porter Mt.,East Mt., Inner Loopen and the flatter trails open.  

    •      Cascade X-C Ski Center:
    •     20 km of trails with connection to 50km at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, open daily, rentals, lessons, restaurant, bar.  518-523-9605, www.cascadeski.com
                    Base Depth(packed) - 3" 
    •               Off track snow depth - 5"
                    Inches New Snow - 2" in the last 72 hours
                    Surface Conditions - Hard pack  
                    Km Open - 15
                    Km Tracked - 10
                    Remarks - 
    • Paul Smith's VIC: www.trailhub.org/trail/generatepdf?orgid=TXpFMA==&actid=TVRVPQ==  
    •            30 km of trails, open daily, rentals, 518-327-6241, 
                             Base Depth (packed) - 14"
      •    Off track snow depth:  18"
           Inches New Snow: 
           Surface Conditions -   Frozen granular
      •    Km Open - 30
           Km Tracked -
                            Remarks:  All trails open.                    
                                                                                 

                            Dewey Mountain - Saranac  Lake​
    •             13 km of trails, open daily (including nights until 7PM Tue. - Fri.), rentals, 891-2697         http://www.deweymountain.com 
                              Remarks - Lower trails groomed and firm.  Upper trails ungroomed with still some thin spots and not really recommended.  



0 Comments

Conditions 2/7/19

2/7/2019

0 Comments

 
The good news is that most areas have held onto a base through this latest thaw.  Thursday was back to warm temperatures that will continue through Friday, so the soft surfaces will permit some skiing on Friday.  The weekend, however, will be cold again; and as Josh's comment to the earlier report stated, only the groomed centers will be able to offer good skiing.  Mt. Van Hoevenberg currently reports 40 km open and groomed and about 25km of track set on the cross-country side of the road.  Cascade X-C Center will reopen on Saturday, 2/9. 

The lake ice was plenty thick enough before this thaw to still be crossable - just watch for any inlets that might have made things unsafe. Also, some streams such as the Opalescent through Flowed Lands or Marcy Brook at Indian Falls may have opened up again.  Be prepared to alter plans.

​With the cold this weekend, good traction will be needed for any hiking on area trails.  No significant snow in sight until next Tuesday, and it won't take all that much to get us back to good conditions again.  Stay tuned.   
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    Trail Conditions

    Trail conditions are updated frequently during the season, but always check local weather conditions as well before departing on your trip.

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    (see links below)

    Lodging
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    Cascade X-C Ski Bunkroom  
    Quality Inn on Lake Placid

    Crowne Plaza Resort
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    Liquids & Solids at the Handlebar
    Mr. Mikes Pizza
    ​Nori's Village Market
    ​Origin Coffee Co. 

    Simply Gourmet

    Groomed X-C Skiing
    Cascade X-C Ski Center
    Dewey Mountain
    Mt. Van Hoevenberg
    ​Paul Smith's College VIC


    Guide Services
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    ​
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    High Peaks Cyclery Nordic Specialists

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