Conditions 1-5-6/2013

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS:  There is currently 18-24" of snow on the ground in the Lake Placid area including 2" of new snow on Friday.  The snow is light and there wasn't much of a base before that latest storm, so some backcountry trails are still a little rocky. Only 10-12" in Saranac Lake, but now further west at Paul Smiths there is 16".    Night time temps will drop to the teens Friday night and not warm up that much on Saturday. Warming up to near 30 on Sunday, then cooler on Monday before it warms up to near 40  Wednesday through Friday. (Trying to be positive, this warm spell could settle the light fluffy snow we have to make a good base while also helping the lakes to finally freeze all the slush.) 
Strong, gusty northwest winds predicted for Saturday will make the Whiteface Highway somewhat unpleasant.  Better on Sunday.
 Tupper Lake's free groomed trails have 6-12" of base with good skiing.

• JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:
                Base Depth - 10-30 inches
                Surface Conditions -Powder
                Km Open - 50
                Remarks -Old Mountain Road has perfect cover and a good skied in track.  Over two feet of snow at the top of the pass.  Still a bit marginal from McKenzie Pond Road to Saranac Lake, but good skiing to McKenzie Pond and up the hill.
  
  BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
                Snow Depth at Lake Colden: 30 inches
                Snow Depth at 4,000 feet: 45 inches
                Surface Conditions: Powder
                Remarks: Hiking trail from ADK Loj to Marcy Dam is skiable but marginal, so the Truck Trail is still the better choice.  Avalanche Pass has been skied, and is in generally good shape now with the new snow of the past two days. Still some rocks to dodge between the dam and Avalanche Camp.  
• Skiers and snowshoers are crossing both Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden, although slush under the snow remains a problem.  Caution definitely required near inlets and outlets.  Other lakes may be safe, but slush appears to be a universal problem so far this year. 
• Marcy now skiable above 50 meter bridge. Below that point, rock avoidance has been described as "technical".  Wright Peak skiable above the junction with the hiking trail.  Skis and snowshoes are now required in the High Peaks and needed elsewhere. 
• Meadow Lane has been blocked off for the winter, adding 3/4 mile to approach of Marcy Dam.  
• Otherwise, all the early season favorites including Connery Pond, Whiteface Highway (see above), Newcomb Lake, Fish Pond, and Hays Brook are skiable.  Raquette Falls better with this new snow, but caution still advised on the downhills.  Should also mention that the Lake Road to the Lower Ausable Lake is skiable and the trail to Johns Brook Lodge is now skiable with only a few rough spots. 
  
  X-C SKI CENTER CONDITIONS: (Groomed, trail fee required)
  
       Mt. Van Hoevenberg X-C Ski Center:  
•     50km of trails, open daily, rentals, lessons, 518-523-2811, www.whiteface.com/activities/cross-country-skiing 
                Base Depth - 12" (packed)  
                Inches New Snow -2
                Surface Conditions - powder
                Km Open - 50
                Km Tracked -50
                Remarks - Harry Eldridge Memorial races this weekend.  7.5km freestyle on Saturday at noon.  5km classic race on Sunday at 9:30.
  
       Cascade X-C Ski Center:
•     20 km of trails with connection to 50km at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, open daily, rentals, lessons, restaurant, bar.  518-523-9605, www.cascadeski.com
                Base Depth - 10"      
                Inches New Snow -2
                Surface Conditions - powder
                Km Open -All
                Km Tracked -All
                Remarks - Good skiing!
  
       Lake Placid Club Nordic Center: (part of Lake Placid Crowne Plaza)
•     10 km of trails, open holiday weeks and some weekends, rentals, 518-523-2556,  www.lakeplacidcp.com
                Base Depth -  12"     
                Inches New Snow -2
                Surface Conditions - packed powder
                Km Open -10 km
                Km Tracked - 
                Remarks -  Trails will continue to be groomed, but the center is closed for the next few weeks.   
  
       Whiteface Club Nordic Center:
•     10 km of trails, open Wed-Sun. (daily during holiday weeks), rentals, 518-523-2551, www.whitefaceclubresort.com
                Base Depth - 14       
                Inches New Snow -1
                Surface Conditions - Packed Powder
                Km Open -10
                Km Tracked - 10
                Remarks -      

           Paul Smith's VIC:
           15 km of trails, open daily, rentals, 518-327-6241, www.adirondackvic.org
                       Base Depth - 6-8" (packed)  (16" off trail)
                        Inches New Snow -1
                       Surface Conditions -Packed Powder
                       Km Open - 15
                       Km Tracked -15
                       Remarks -   Great Skiing!