Jackrabbit Ski Trail
Connect!
  • Home
  • Map&Descriptions
  • Conditions
  • History

Ski Conditions - 11/27/17

11/27/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
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.  
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Conditions 11-23-17

11/23/2017

0 Comments

 
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.
​
0 Comments

Conditions 11-22-17

11/22/2017

0 Comments

 
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". 
0 Comments

Conditions 11-21-17

11/21/2017

0 Comments

 
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.  
0 Comments

Conditions 11-15-17

11/15/2017

0 Comments

 
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.

​
Picture
0 Comments

First Real Snow of the Season - 11/10/17

11/10/2017

0 Comments

 
PicturePhoto by Jen Kazmierczak. Whiteface Toll Road - Nov 10, 2017
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.
​  
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.  

0 Comments

New Season 11/9/2017

11/9/2017

0 Comments

 
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. 
0 Comments

    Trail Conditions

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

    Picture
    CHECK OUT THE NEW WINTER TRAILS MAP FROM
    GREEN GOAT MAPS
    Click Image Above to Buy Online!

    LOCAL INFORMATION
    (see links below)

    Lodging
    ​Adirondak Loj 
    Adirondack Rock and River 
    Cadence Lodge at Whiteface
    Cascade X-C Ski Bunkroom  
    Quality Inn on Lake Placid

    Crowne Plaza Resort
    High Peaks Resort
    Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort
    Keene Valley Lodge
    Lake House
    Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa
    Placid Bay Inn "On Lake Placid"
    Schulte's Family Lodge
    South Meadow Farm & Lodge
    T'Max & Topo's Hostel
    Trails End Inn
    Wildwood on the Lake

    Vacation Rentals
    Merrill L Thomas Real Estate

    Equipment Sales & Rentals
    High Peaks Cyclery Nordic Specialists
    The Mountaineer
    Cascade X-C Ski Center
    Placid Planet
    Cunningham's Ski Barn

    Food & Drink
    ​Green Goddess Natural Foods Market
    Lake Placid Pub & Brewery

    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
    Adirondack Rock and River 
    ​
    Eastern Mountain Sports
    High Peaks Cyclery Nordic Specialists

    Local Publications
    Adirondack Almanack
    ​Adirondack Explorer
    ​LOCALadk



    Archives

    November 2019
    October 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.