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Conditions 3/31/2015

3/31/2015

We have so far had a few hints of spring, but as of Tuesday it's still more like winter; and after a warm up and some rain Thursday and Friday the coming weekend will again be barely above freezing. Currently, most areas have a powder or loose granular surface on a frozen granular base. Temperatures barely above freezing Tuesday and Wednesday, then warmer and rain. Next update on Friday afternoon when we know how much rain has fallen and how much new snow might fall on Friday night.

Mt. Van Hoevenberg is the only groomed center in operation. They promise to stay open (at least Wed. - Sun.) as long as skiers keep showing up. Jackrabbit Trail remains fully skiable except for the stretch along River Rd. in Lake Placid. All popular backcountry routes remain skiable, although steeper terrain not recommended unless it has warmed up or we get more snow.

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Update, Saturday 3/28

3/28/2015

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The "chance of light snow" turned into 4-5" of light powder in the Lake Placid area. Definitely enough to cover up the hard surfaces we had with the warmer weather and rain earlier this week. Now predicted to remain below freezing through Monday, but the slowly warm up to maybe all of 50 by the end of the week. Winter skiing this weekend, spring skiing the next? Maybe so.

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Conditions 3/27/2015

3/27/2015

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- This past week saw cold temperatures on Tuesday followed by warming trend on Wednesday, followed by rain and temperatures in the 40s on Thursday. On Thursday afternoon it turned back to snow with up to 2" of wet snow accumulating in the Lake Placid area. Remaining warm into Friday, but then cooling off a bit with a chance of some light snow on Friday evening. Temps in the 30s on the weekend, but probably not warm enough to soften things at the higher elevations. Best surface conditions for skiing this weekend will definitely be at Mt. Van Hoevenberg which is still actively grooming.
- Some obvious melting has occurred in the open areas, but wooded areas have lost very little snow during the few warm days that we have had so far. The weather pattern through next week has temperatures either a little below or a little above freezing, but no enough to cause any significant melting. We thus still expect our snow cover to last well into April. As stated in earlier reports, the rule will now be SPRING CONDITIONS, i.e. potentially hard and icy when temperatures are below freezing and soft and slow when they are above freezing. Any new snow will, of course, change that equation for a short time, but from now on it's watching the thermometer or skiing at the groomed centers as long as they are open.
- JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:
Base Depth - 8-12"

Surface Conditions - Wet powder and frozen granular

Km Open - 50 km

Remarks - Steeper sections on Old Mt. Road section and McKenzie section not recommended.
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. The wet snow that fell Thursday afternoon and evening will turn crispy as the temperatures again drop on Friday night. Sunday will warm to 35 in the valleys, but will likely remain below freezing in the backcountry, so hard and fast conditions will be the rule for the weekend.

- All popular routes including Marcy and Wright Peak have excellent cover, but not recommended until we get more snow or it warms up to soften the crust. Approach to Marcy Dam from ADK Loj is hard and fast. Truck trail is longer but definitely better skiing.
- Whiteface Highway remains skiable from the Toll House. No current report on the upper part that has been icy with bare areas due to the high winds we have experienced this season.
- Keene Valley/Garden Parking to JBL is skiable with caution. Good cover for skiing beyond JBL.
- Lake Road to Lower Ausable Lake packed by snowmobiles and skiable.
- ___________________________________________________________________

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Conditions 3/23/2015

3/23/2015

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- This past weekend saw warm temperatures and a few hours of rain on Sunday followed by a bit of snow as the temperatures dropped that night and a bit more on Sunday night. So as of Monday the ungroomed areas are "dust on crust" and will remain so through Tuesday. A warming trend on Wednesday followed by rain and temperatures in the 40s on Thursday. Then cooling off a bit with a chance of some light snow on Friday. Temps in the 30s on the weekend, but probably not warm enough to soften things at the higher elevations.
- Some obvious melting has occurred in the open areas, but wooded areas have lost very little snow during the few warm days that we have had so far. Some melting will occur Thursday but not enough so that we thus still expect our snow cover to last for several more weeks. As stated in earlier reports, the rule will now be SPRING CONDITIONS, i.e. potentially hard and icy when temperatures are below freezing and soft and slow when they are above freezing. Any new snow will, of course, change that equation for a short time, but from now on it's watching the thermometer or skiing at the groomed centers as long as they are open.
- JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:
Base Depth - 12-16"

Surface Conditions - Powder and frozen granular

Km Open - 50 km

Remarks - Steeper sections on Old Mt. Road section and McKenzie section not recommended.
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. The warm weather two weeks ago created a very breakable crust in any untracked areas. Saturday's rain firmed that crust a bit so in some areas one doesn't break through while wearing snowshoes or skis. Where one is still breaking through will make for difficult trail-breaking.

- All popular routes including Marcy and Wright Peak have excellent cover, but not recommended until we get more snow or it warms up to soften the crust. Approach to Marcy Dam from ADK Loj is hard and fast. Truck trail is longer but definitely better skiing.
- Whiteface Highway remains skiable from the Toll House, but the upper part is icy due to the high winds we have experienced blowing the snow off.
- Keene Valley/Garden Parking to JBL is skiable with caution, but much improved from a month ago thanks to the continuous small additions of snow. Good cover for skiing beyond JBL.
- Lake Road to Lower Ausable Lake packed by snowmobiles and skiable.
- ___________________________________________________________________

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Conditions 3/20/2015

3/20/2015

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- This past week saw warm temperatures and a bit of rain on Tuesday followed by a bit of snow as the temperatures dropped so that Wednesday and Thursday were cold and dry. Continued cold today, Friday, but it will warm up on Saturday. Some snow is predicted in the morning, changing to light rain in the afternoon, followed by falling temperatures and snow on Saturday night. Cold again on Sunday with temperatures only in the teens. Then slow warming to the 40s by Wednesday, but no significant precipitation in sight.
- Some obvious melting has occurred in the open areas, but wooded areas lost very little snow during the warm days a week ago and we won't be losing much this weekend or even next week any this week. We thus still expect our snow cover to last for several more weeks, but the rule will now be SPRING CONDITIONS, i.e. potentially hard and icy when temperatures are below freezing and soft and slow when they are above freezing. Any new snow will, of course, change that equation for a short time, but from now on it's watching the thermometer or skiing at the groomed centers as long as they are open.
- JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:
Base Depth - 12-16"

Surface Conditions - Powder and frozen granular

Km Open - 50 km

Remarks - Entire trail broken out with good ski tracks on all sections.
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. The warm weather two weeks ago created a very breakable crust in any untracked areas that will make for difficult trail-breaking.

- All popular routes including Marcy and Wright Peak in excellent condition. Approach to Marcy Dam from ADK Loj is hard and fast. Truck trail is longer but definitely better skiing.
- Whiteface Highway skiable from the Toll House, but the upper part is icy due to the high winds we have experienced blowing the snow off.
- Keene Valley/Garden Parking to JBL is skiable with caution, but much improved from a month ago thanks to the continuous small additions of snow. Good cover for skiing beyond JBL.
- Lake Road to Lower Ausable Lake packed by snowmobiles and skiable.
- ___________________________________________________________________

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Conditions 3/16/2015

3/16/2015

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INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

- This week will continue the pattern of a cold spell mid-week followed by warmer weather on the coming weekend. Monday will be sunny and in the 30s, followed by cloudy conditions and 2-3" of new snow on Tuesday and then temperates falling so that Wednesday and Thursday's highs will only be in the upper teens. Friday will be a bit warmer and then 30's on the weekend. Too early to tell whether and how much precipitation on the weekend. Next update on Friday, 3/20 when we do have a better idea of weekend conditions.
- Some obvious melting has occurred in the open areas, but wooded areas lost very little snow during the warm days and we won't be losing any this week. We thus still expect our snow cover to last for several more weeks, but the rule will now be SPRING CONDITIONS, i.e. potentially hard and icy when temperatures are below freezing and soft and slow when they are above freezing. Any new snow will, of course, change that equation for a short time, but from now on it's watching the thermometer or skiing at the groomed centers as long as they are open.
- JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:
Base Depth - 12-16"

Surface Conditions - Powder

Km Open - 50 km

Remarks - Entire trail broken out with good ski tracks on all sections.
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. The deep snow plus some significant wind loading means that no slide can be considered safe for skiing unless carefully analyzed. Also, the warm weather last week has created a very breakable crust in any untracked areas that will make for difficult trail-breaking.

- All popular routes including Marcy and Wright Peak in excellent condition.
- Whiteface Highway skiable from the Toll House, but the upper part is icy due to the high winds we have experienced blowing the snow off.
- Keene Valley/Garden Parking to JBL is skiable with caution, but much improved from a month ago thanks to the continuous small additions of snow. Good cover for skiing beyond JBL.
- Lake Road to Lower Ausable Lake packed by snowmobiles and skiable.
- ___________________________________________________________________

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Update 3/13/2015

3/13/2015

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A sampling of the post-thaw conditions on Thursday indicates that unbroken areas have a very breakable crust that makes both turning on skis or breaking trail with skis or snowshoes very difficult. Smooth trails with 2" of snow are good skiing, but otherwise the best skiing is at the groomed centers. Saturday's forecast hasn't changed, so we will se a mix of sleet, rain, and then some snow by Saturday night. In two words, "spring conditions".

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Conditions 3/11/2015

3/12/2015

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INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

- After two warm days, we have picked up another 1-2" of new snow on Wednesday night and Thursday will remain below freezing. The new snow will make for better conditions as the packed out areas would have been icy after the two warm days and then below freezing. Thursday night will be in the single digits, but Friday will warm to the 30s and Saturday will be upper 30s to lower 40s with a chance of rain or some wet snow. Sunday a bit cooler with nothing but light snow predicted.
- Some obvious melting has occurred in the open areas, but wooded areas lost very little snow during the warm days. We still expect our snow cover to last for several more weeks, but the rule will now be SPRING CONDITIONS, i.e. potentially hard and icy when temperatures are below freezing and soft and slow when they are above freezing. Any new snow will, of course, change that equation for a short time, but from now on it's watching the thermometer or skiing at the groomed centers as long as they are open.
- JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:
Base Depth - 12-16"

Surface Conditions - Powder

Km Open - 50 km

Remarks - Entire trail broken out with good ski tracks on all sections. The first mile of the trail up from the Keene end at Rock and River suffered some damage on Sunday when two horses from houses down the road got loose and were chased up to the first beaver ponds before being retrieved. It is still a bit rough, but new snow Sunday night and Wednesday night plus some strategic shoveling have mitigated most of the damage.
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. The deep snow plus some significant wind loading means that no slide can be considered safe for skiing unless carefully analyzed.

- All popular routes including Marcy and Wright Peak in excellent condition.
- Whiteface Highway skiable from the Toll House, but the upper part is icy due to the high winds we have experienced blowing the snow off.
- Keene Valley/Garden Parking to JBL is skiable with caution, but much improved from a month ago thanks to the continuous small additions of snow. Good cover for skiing beyond JBL.
- Lake Road to Lower Ausable Lake packed by snowmobiles and skiable.
- ___________________________________________________________________

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Update Monday PM 3/9/2015

3/9/2015

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Old Mountain Road not that bad! After the initial report, the area received 2-3" of new snow that has covered up most of the holes. A bit of shoveling has further mitigated the damage. There may be still "hidden issues" that will show up as the snow melts, but that section is definitely skiable despite the "insult" it received on Sunday.

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Conditions 3/9/2015

3/9/2015

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INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

- We have picked up another 1-2" of new snow on Sunday night and could possibly get a bit more. Given that the conditions are about as good as it gets, this new snow is just an added bonus - especially now that temperatures have moderated to more comfortable levels. Monday will be in the 30s, Tuesday will see low to mid-40s, and then 30s the rest of the week. With below freezing temperatures each night, there won't be any noticeable melting with these temperatures - just perhaps a bit of crust formed on unbroken areas with the packed areas becoming a bit firmer, but not icy.
- The weekend is currently predicted to be above freezing during the day. Some precipitation, some of which may fall as rain, but no deluge that will melt any significant amount of snow, so we have several more weeks at least of good snow cover in this area.
- The only news is some damage to the Keene end of the Jackrabbit Trail - see below.
- Next update on Thursday, 3/12, when we have a better idea of exactly what kind of precipitation we will get on the weekend.
- JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:
Base Depth - 12-16"

Surface Conditions - Powder

Km Open - 50 km

Remarks - Entire trail broken out with good ski tracks on all sections. The only exception is the first mile of the trail up from the Keene end at Rock and River. On Sunday two horses from houses down the road got loose and were chased up to the first beaver ponds before being retrieved. The surface is badly chopped up with a fair amount of brown material coloring the snow. We'll see what we can do to mitigate these conditions before the weekend, but for now be forewarned.
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. The deep snow plus some significant wind loading means that no slide can be considered safe for skiing unless carefully analyzed.

- All popular routes including Marcy and Wright Peak in excellent condition.
- Whiteface Highway skiable from the Toll House, but the upper part is icy due to the high winds we have experienced blowing the snow off.
- Keene Valley/Garden Parking to JBL is skiable with caution, but much improved from a month ago thanks to the continuous small additions of snow. Good cover for skiing beyond JBL.
- Lake Road to Lower Ausable Lake packed by snowmobiles and skiable.
- BREAKING NEWS: A comment on Friday's update indicates that a nice ski loop in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area has been broken out as of last week. Long Swing Trail to Pharaoh Lake to Putnam Pond. Thanks for all the hard work.
- ADDITIONAL BREAKING NEWS: The Bog River ski trail loop from the trailhead closest to Rt. 30 has also been broken out.
- ___________________________________________________________________

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Conditions 3/31/2015

Update, Saturday 3/28

Conditions 3/27/2015

Conditions 3/23/2015

Conditions 3/20/2015

Conditions 3/16/2015

Update 3/13/2015

Conditions 3/11/2015

Update Monday PM 3/9/2015

Conditions 3/9/2015

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