Trail conditions have changed considerably in the past few days.  Through most of the day and night on Monday we saw a mixed bag of precipitation including rain and freezing rain, and the wind blew hard for over 24 hours.  It calmed down Tuesday but remained above freezing most of the day.   Ski tracks turned crusty and untracked snow did as well, but not so bad that it made breaking trail unpleasant.  This morning (Wednesday) we received a dusting of dry snow which mercifully covered all the twigs and needles that came down on Monday.  

Generally all sections of the Jackrabbit Trail and other ski trails are well covered and skiable but conditions are variable.  Ski and snowshoe-tracked trails are well-packed, frozen and crusty with a dusting of new snow.  Caution needed on the bigger hills which are fast and icy.  Untracked snow on the sides of trails provides decent skiing once a new track is laid down.  "Crustiness" varies by location and elevation but is generally easy to break through whever you go.  We urge skiers to continue to use caution on any ice crossings - if in doubt go around or turn around.  

We patrolled and cleared blowdown on the Hayes Brook Trail on Tuesday, but turned around just short of the Sheep Meadows.  There's a good frozen track and significant snowpack in the Paul Smiths area remains despite the rain.  Average snow depth here is 6-10".  

Today we patrolled and cleared blowdown on the Connery Pond - Whiteface Landing Trail.  Skiing is great out here with a good track (occasionaly shared with the snowshoe track), good coverage and a consistent packed powder base.    Average snow depth here is 6-8", with noticeably more snow above the big hill on the way to Whiteface Landing.

National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for Thursday and Friday.  2-6" of new snow expected by Thursday night in the Lake Placid region followed by another 1-3 inches on Friday.   If this turns out to be accurate we'll have some great skiing to bring in the New Year this weekend.  

The next update will be issued Friday afternoon and will include a report on conditions in the High Peaks Wilderness.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• January 7 - ADK Winter Fest at Heart Lake, Adirondack Loj
• January 29 - 25th Annual Pool Party & Theresa Klauck Memorial Jackrabbit Trail Ski Tour

**Skier Bulletin**

The skier access to the top of the Fallen Leaf Trail via the dam/pond crossing located just below the Jackrabbit Ski Trail has been closed by the landowner.  A fence and posted signage have been installed.  Though the majority of the Fallen Leaf Trail is on state land, the top of the trail and the dam and pond are on private property.  Please respect the landowner's property and comply with the closure.  The Fallen Leaf Trail can still be skied as an out-and-back by starting from the bottom, where it intersects with the Jackrabbit Trail at the Whiteface Inn Rd crossing.

The new Boreas acquisition is now in great shape for skiing.  8-10" of snow at the trailhead, and more at the ponds.  Ice is firm enough to be able to get out to see the full view - just avoid the area around the dam at the outlet.    

Merry Christmas snow lovers.  We hope you're able to get out and enjoy some skiing this holiday weekend.  

Thursday we picked-up 2-3 inches of new snow across the region.  Friday was mild with temps in the high 20s.  Late Friday night it warmed up and since this morning (Saturday) we're getting an intermittent mix of rain and snow.  Forecast is calling for a "freezing drizzle" tonight with a low of 20F overnight, then temps will drop to 14F by 10am Christmas day.  With the now saturated snowpack, that means, unfortunately, that things will be pretty firm after tonight.  Then on Monday and Tuesday warmer temps will return along with freezing rain and rain.  Looks like skiing will be best on groomed trails for the next few days.  

On the Jackrabbit Trail near Craig Wood this morning we found the snow to be extremely sticky, both in and out of established ski tracks.  Snow cover is really good on all sections of the Jackrabbit, but caution still needed when descending the steeper downhills as many larger rocks and drainages are not quite filled-in.  As is typical the Paul Smiths "snow belt" has the most snow as compared to Saranac Lake, Lake Placid, Wilmington and Keene.  

On Friday we patrolled the Wright Peak Ski Trail and found completely untracked, powder conditions on its entire length (not untracked anymore sorry folks ;)  Approaching from Heart Lake the old Marcy Dam trail was in great shape.  However the hiking trail to Wright/Algonquin is still extremely rough.  When ascending with skins the skiing is not bad, but skiing down on the hiking trail will test your skills (and your patience) at this point.  Hiking trail to Marcy Dam is skiable but still has thin cover.  Whales Tale has been skied but could use more snow before it can be recommended.  The best skiing is still found on the South Meadow Rd and Truck Trail to Marcy Dam. 




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UPCOMING EVENTS

• January 7 - ADK Winter Fest at Heart Lake, Adirondack Loj
• January 29 - 25th Annual Pool Party & Theresa Klauck Memorial Jackrabbit Trail Ski Tour

A quick update after the rain and brief warm spell on Sunday which was followed by frigid temps Sunday night and Monday....

Ski trails in the region took a hit from the rain on Saturday night and Sunday, but it could have been much worse.  Generally speaking the Jackrabbit Trail and other ski trails in the Tri-Lakes area have all been skied since Sunday and all reports we've received indicate conditions are still pretty good on all the classic ski tours. Ski tracks established in powder conditions last week are now frozen and somewhat crusty.  Trails at lower elevations are still thin in spots, and skiers should expect to encounter hard water ice in some drainages and typically wet areas.  Untracked powder snow in the woods and on the sides of trails was consolidated significantly on Sunday, but did not seem to develop a crust in most locations we checked, so making tracks off-trail will be quite nice.  

Temps will remain in the 30s during the day and 20s at night through the week.  We're waiting to see what happens on Thursday when 1-3 inches of accumulation is expected according to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service.  ​

UPCOMING EVENTS

• January 7 - ADK Winter Fest at Heart Lake, Adirondack Loj
• January 29 - 25th Annual Pool Party & Theresa Klauck Memorial Jackrabbit Trail Ski Tour
  
  

We will update this post ASAP with a report from backcountry ski trails in the High Peaks Wilderness, and look for another full update on Thursday or Friday this week.  



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Things are shaping up in the eastern High Peaks, but despite this latest snowfall skiers should still expect to encounter early season conditions on most trails in the mountains.  Yesterday we skied the Old Marcy Dam trail to connect with the normal hiking trail to Marcy Dam.  This section was skiable but still boney in the typically rocky sections, and drainages are still open with tricky-to-cross wet spots.  The stream is still flowing above Marcy Dam so crossing the bridge downstream is necessary.  From Marcy Dam to the Avalanche Pass Ski Trail conditions are slightly better but many rocks still are lurking under the fresh snow.  We found the Avalanche Pass Ski Trail completely untracked with 12-16 inches of delicious powder.  Some drainages remain open and wet on the ski trail, otherwise the skiing is fantastic.  The ice on Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden is NOT safe to cross.  The caretaker at Lake Colden reports 24 inches on the ground as of Friday.

Marcy Dam Truck Trail from South Meadow has been skied and looks fantastic - reminder that the barricade is in place on the Loj road making for a slightly longer approach on this route.

Wright Peak Ski Trail is likely in good condition but getting there on the Algonquin/Wright Peak hiking trail will be an exercise in dodging and scraping rocks.  Whales Tale can not be recommended quite yet.  

See the December 8 report for Jackrabbit Trail conditions, which have only gotten better since Thursday night.  Generally speaking the entire trail is skiable, but use caution on the downhills and watch for open wet areas.  Also the ice cannot be trusted on the beaver dam crossings on Old Mountain Rd and Loop 73 south of Cascade Ski Center.

 -Its snowing like crazy out there folks.  Get out and go skiing!  

We've picked up 4-6 inches of fluffy powder since last night and its still coming down..full snow globe conditions!  We just skied the Jackrabbit from Lake Placid village to the Placid lean-to on McKenzie Pass.  Peninsula Trails are fantastic with minimal rocks sticking through still on the main ski trails.  Golf courses are covered in 6-8 of light powder on a nice base (pretty much a golf course skier's dream).  The bottom of the Jackrabbit from Whiteface Inn Rd to the Fallen Leaf Pond turn-off is skiable but several large wet spots remain uncovered, a few water bars are uncovered  and the larger rocks are still poking through (see pic from register below).  Above Fallen Leaf Pond the skiing is absolutely fantastic all the way to the lean-to and descending from the lean-to back to the pond was like a dream.  

Based on the conditions we found this morning, skiers should expect to find great skiing pretty much anywhere on the Jackrabbit Trail with sections at lower elevations have just enough snow to ski but still needing a little more to cover rocks and the wet, bare spots that are still persisting after the last thaw.  Use caution on the downhills and when crossing through wet areas.  

The Whiteface Memorial Highway (toll road) was reportably skied yesterday with 4-7 inches of snow, which means today and tomorrow skier's will find fantastic powder conditions.  Connery Pond Trail, Hayes Brook Trail, and Fish Pond Trail are also highly recommended.

We're heading into the High Peaks tomorrow to have a look around.  Stay tuned for an update on conditions in the backcountry tomorrow night in advance of the weekend.

National Weather Service - forecast for Lake Placid region - calling for 1-3 inches of accumulation through the night tonight, and a few more inches tomorrow.  Then it turns cold Friday night, into the single digits, which will keep this storm snow on the ground for the foreseeable future.  

​Bon Ski!

After a few days of light snow in the region the ski trails are starting to rebound, albeit slowly.  The new snow fell following a warm and rainy spell, which has left the ground soggy and standing or flowing water lurking just under a few inches of powdery snow.    Looks are deceiving - see contrasting photos above.

Golf courses and other gentle terrain are the best places to ski at the moment, but watch for wet spots which will leave a frustrating glop on your skis.  Some sections of the Jackrabbit will be skiable but can't be strongly recommended until we get more accumulation.  

National Weather Service forecast for Lake Placid indicates more snow throughout the week, some of which will likely come-in wet and heavy due to daytime temps hovering in the mid-30s.

Backcountry Conditions -
Connery Pond - Whiteface Landing trail will be skiable but use caution on the downhills and ski carefully on the road in from Rt. 86.  

Snow in the High Peaks but skiing not recommended on any ski trails until we get more snow.

Jackrabbit Trail Conditions  
Keene/Rock & River to Cascade XC Ski Center - Not recommended, conditions marginal with open water persisting on the beaver dams on Old Mountain Rd. 

Cascade XC Ski Center to Whiteface Inn Rd - Currently the best skiing can be found on this section though we still only have a 3-4 inches on bare ground/grass.  Several parties have skied the Jackrabbit route through Craig Wood Golf Course.  The trail is also skiable from Craig Wood to the Village of Lake Placid but use caution on downhills and watch for spots with thin cover.  Peninsula Trail to Whiteface Inn Rd is also skiable, watch for wet spots on the golf course.  

Whiteface Inn Rd to Saranac Lake (NCCC) - Mostly passable but not recommended until we get more snow.  Open and flowing water persisting just under the snow surface after the warm and rainy weather last week.  Only a few inches on the trail at McKenzie Pond Rd trail head.   Rocks may appear covered but there's only a few inches of dry snow.

**Skier Advisory** On the Lake Placid side of McKenzie Pass there is a new owner of the private property that extends from just above the DEC trail register to the state line above Fallen Leaf Pond.  The owner uses an ATV on his property and skiers should be aware that the owner may be using the vehicle on trail at any time and that you may encounter tire tracks on this portion of the Jackrabbit.  Also a reminder that there are several trails that leave the Jackrabbit and travel uphill into this property - these trails are posted and off-limits to skiers and hikers.  Please comply with all posted signs and respect the owner's use of his property.   The use of this portion of the Jackrabbit Trail is a PRIVILEGE, not a RIGHT, and we urge skiers to afford the new owner a level of respect when you are skiing the trail across his land (which is clearly marked with signage).

Saranac Lake (NCCC) to Paul Smiths VIC - 2-4" of snow on the trail.  Streams and other wet areas still not frozen.  Skiers may encounter blowdown, especially between Rt. 86 in Paul Smiths and Lake Clear.  Logging activity has concluded between Jones Pond Rd. and Rt. 86.  

**See links on sidebar for Nordic center conditions**