The Whiteface Toll Road was skiable late last night with thin conditions from the bottom to the pump house and better snow above the pump house, but skiers should expect snow cover to dwindle rapidly throughout the day on Saturday has rain and higher temps move into the area.  Even the Whiteface Mountain summit forecast is calling for rain.  

Looking ahead to this week we may get a few flurries but not enough to ski on.  Temps back in the 50s by Wednesday.  We'll update conditions as soon as we get another decent snowfall.  Until then, think snow.

National Weather Service - Lake Placid forecast

Looks like another good weekend for early season ski touring in the High Peaks region.  The Whiteface Toll Road will likely be skiable by Friday morning and we might see Mt. Van Hoevenberg open a few rolled trails if accumulations are sufficient (fingers crossed).  

This is the latest from the National Weather Service in Burlington:

"Attention Snow Lovers! We've got some more good news for you, especially if you are willing to head into the mountains to find it.  Most of us will have a cold rain develop during the day Thursday and last into Friday, though a brief period of snow at the start is expected at elevations between 500 feet to 1500 feet before turning to rain. The higher elevations will not have the transition to rain. The amount of snow will greatly vary with elevation. In general, above 1500 ft elevation is where the snow will accumulate to perhaps an inch. Above 2500 ft, the amounts will be at least 4". On the tops of the highest peaks (Whiteface, Mt Marcy, Mt Mansfield, Jay Peak) we are expecting 7 to 10 inches."

In Saranac Lake today we've picked up about an inch of dry fluffy snow as of 5:30pm.  Yesterday (Wednesday) the McKenzie Pass section of the Jackrabbit was patrolled and cleared of blowdown.  We found 4-5 inches of crusty snow at the higher elevations between the Placid lean-to and the height of land on the pass, but most of the trail had only a dusting on the leaves.

We'll be checking conditions on a few early season favorites tomorrow afternoon.  Stay tuned for updates and more photos.  

IF YOU HAVE PHOTOS OF CURRENT SKI CONDITIONS, PLEASE SHARE THEM VIA OUR FACEBOOK PAGE OR INSTAGRAM - @BETAtrails.  Thanks!

We're a bit slow on reporting this news, but as of Sunday morning, 10/23, the Whiteface Highway had 3-5" of wet, sticky snow.  Not an ideal day for the highway, because of high winds, but it was definitely skiable and skied today.  Some areas blown clean, but mostly covered.  Temperatures will remain cool all week, so it should remain skiable at least until next Saturday.  

Lake Placid golf courses also covered with 2-3".  No reports of anyone skiing, and with warm ground underneath icing could be a problem.

UPDATE:  The record warm summer and fall left the ground so warm, that the snow disappeared from the Whiteface Highway in one day - despite air temperatures being at or below freezing.  Likewise for the golf courses in Lake Placid.  Continued cool with more snow possible on Thursday night.  We'll check again on Friday to see if perhaps the first dose of snow cooled the ground enough that this second snowfall doesn't immediately melt as well.
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