From good conditions Thursday and Friday, Saturday saw some melting lower down, and then a dusting starting Saturday night brought a few inches of new snow on Sunday morning.  Monday morning we awoke to a bit more snow and falling temperatures until after midnight when it will start to warm up with rain threatened for Tuesday and Wednesday.  Again turning cooler by the weekend, with maybe enough snow to return to full skiing from the Toll House.  Stay tuned.

Whiteface Highway update:  As of Sunday at midday there was excellent snow coverage on the toll road (see photos).  Some bare pavement lurking under the fresh snow in the usual windblown locations but these spots are easily avoided.  Above the pump house 3-4 inches of powder made for enjoyable skiing.  We picked up a few more inches Sunday night so Monday should be great skiing still. 

Snow depth in the woods next to the Highway did not seem to be more than about six inches at 3,000 to 4,000 feet, but Whiteface seems to have been in the "shadow" of the recent snows, so expect more snow at 4,000 feet in the rest of the High Peaks, i.e. snowshoes required to summit any other 4,000-foot summit.  Getting to 4,000 feet on anything but the Highway will require some form of traction aid.  ​

STAY TUNED - we're out patrolling the Paul Smiths end of the Jackrabbit Trail and Hayes Brook truck trail today.  Expecting to find good skiing in this area as well as the Fish Pond Truck Trail, always a good early season ski outing.  We'll update this report this afternoon.  

UPDATE 11/27/17:

 From good conditions Thursday and Friday, Saturday saw some melting lower down, and then a dusting on Sunday to start to bring things back.  Monday will see a bit more snow and falling temperatures until after midnight when it will start to warm up with rain threatened for Tuesday and Wednesday.  Again turning cooler by the weekend, with maybe enough snow to return to full skiing from the Toll House.  Stay tuned.

Whiteface Highway update:  The snow depth increases from the scant inch at the Toll House, but not that much, and there are stretches as high up as 3,50 feet where there isn't that much more snow.  Nevertheless, the coverage is complete throughout.  

Snow depth in the woods next to the Highway did not seem to be more than about six inches at 4,000 feet, but Whiteface seems to have been in the "shadow" of the recent snows, so expect more at 4,000 feet in the rest of the High Peaks, i.e. snowshoes required to summit any other 4,000-foot summit.  Getting to 4,000 feet on anything but the Highway will require some form of traction aid.  

​Hey, it's November in the Adirondacks.  Next week could see a warmup into the 40s starting on Tuesday, but who knows at this point.

Otherwise, Mt. Van Hoevenberg has announced that they are open, but so far it appears it is just the Mini Loop on "Snow Factory" snow.  Flatter terrain can apparently be skied, but Van Ho isn't currently advertising that.
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Predicting conditions when there is no base and a forecast of varying temperatures is not easy, and no prediction can be "guaranteed".  That said, here's what we see on the eve of the Thanksgiving weekend.

Monday's snow seems to have mostly survived the warm temperatures on Tuesday.  Still not enough snow for anything but golf course skiing, but that should continue through the weekend despite slightly above-freeing temperatures on Friday and Saturday.  Wilmington did not benefit from Monday's snow, but just before the Toll House on the Whiteface Highway there is a scant inch ow snow that can be skied.  Snow depth increases with altitude.

For those choosing to hike this weekend, traction aids are pretty much mandatory for any of the higher peaks to avoid the need to go off the trail onto more fragile terrain.  Still apparently no requirement for snowshoes up high, but it is getting close to that point.

Long range forecast has warmer temperatures as of Tuesday, so, as we've said before, "Ski it While You Can". 

Yesterday we picked up 2-3 inches of somewhat unexpected snow, so as of Tuesday morning the local golf courses are skiable.  Unfortunately, temperatures today will approach 50 degrees, so who knows what will be left before it cools down again tonight with rain possible before a change to snow by tomorrow morning.  

​It will then stay cool through Friday, but so far without much additional snow, then get warm again on Saturday before cooling down again on Sunday.  Not an easy pattern in which to make any general predictions, so we'll just have to take it day by day.  

11-17-17 Update:

     Oh well, looks like our first disappointment of the season.  Temperatures on Thursday are about 10 degrees higher than had been predicted just the day before, and the snow on Thursday night as it did finally cool down was just a dusting.  Therefore, the Whiteface Highway is not, as promised, skiable this weekend.  Whiteface Mt. Ski Area will be open.  The weekend forecast is now for additional rain (maybe some mixed precipitation) with temperatures not cooling down until later Monday.  We'll update again after the weekend.

The snow has continued to slowly accumulate on the Whiteface Highway, so it is much better now than over the past weekend.  Still only a few inches of cover, and surface conditions are not ideal due to the vehicular traffic for the ongoing work on the summit elevator.  No warm-up in sight, and even a bit more snow before the weekend.  We'll try to post an update on Friday, but if that doesn't happen you can still be sure there will be skiing this weekend.  Photo below by Brian Mann of North Country Public Radio who skied it on Tuesday morning.

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The sound of a snow plow passing your house at 4:30am is sometimes the first real sign of winter.  Such was the case this morning when we awoke to about an inch or so of snow and temps hovering in the teens.  No great skiing conditions to report just yet though we're sure a few die hards will get out on the Whiteface Toll Road or the local golf courses for a little kick and glide (and maybe a free base grind).

UPDATE (11am)
Toll road has cover and skiers are out exploring.  If you really need a skiing fix its probably worth checking out.  Important info for toll road skiers - Construction is scheduled for the elevator tunnel this winter. Service vehicles will be moving up and down the toll road so expect to encounter vehicles and their tracks when skiing. Also the tunnel will be locked so plan accordingly if venturing to the top, especially if you're used to using the tunnel to get out of the wind.  Further update as of Saturday, 11/11:  Whiteface Highway has a skim of ice (thin enough to still see the yellow line) and a dusting on top.  Given the winds yesterday, conditions higher up are not likely to be much better.
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In the Lake Placid/High Peaks region the weekend will remain cold, especially at night, but then National Weather Service predicts a sunny start to the next week with temperatures in the 40s.  No new snow in the forecast.

Next Saturday, November 18 is the Barkeater Trails Alliance (BETA) Annual Meeting & Party at Cascade XC Ski Center in Lake Placid.  The event features an early afternoon hiking tour of the new ski trails at Scott's Cobble, followed by our annual membership meeting, dinner, cash bar and live music by Big Slyde.  Click here to see our website for more details and to RSVP.  

And mark your calendars for the annual BETA Ski Movie Fundraiser - December 16 at Lake Placid Center for the Arts.  We're screening the new Teton Gravity Research film - Rogue Elements.  

So far, just a few bits of snow up high.  One die-hard has claimed to ski by hiking up most of the Whiteface Highway, but as for "normal" skiing none yet.  This weekend, 11/11-12 will see the coldest conditions of the season so far with even valley temperature staying below freezing on Friday and not much above freezing on Saturday or Sunday.  Unfortunately, not much snow so far predicted to come with this cold snap.  The Whiteface Highway could possibly be skiable, but that's doubtful, and the weather will slowly warm back up next week.  

If you are planning on hiking this weekend, be prepared for near mid-winter cold on the summits as the winds will be strong; and bring some traction aid (Microspikes are the best) you can stay in the established trail and not widen that trail by clinging to the bushes on the side.  Yes, on the popular peaks  many others will be probably clinging to the bushes, but wouldn't you like the chance to feel truly superior as you calmly walk up the ice in the center of the trail.