Looks like now a major winter storm with 6-9" of new snow by Friday afternoon. We'll update tomorrow on what we actually get, but even half that would make many ski routes skiable - including much of the Jackrabbit Trail. We already have a pretty good base in most areas, so this may be the beginning of a long ski season - unless of course until the jet stream changes and we end up on the "high temperature" side of the flow.
It's looking good for an early winter and ski season. The forecast for today says 4-6" of dense snow, but we've learned the hard way not to count our inches until they fall. There is the possibility of some rain mixed in this afternoon, followed by much colder temperatures on Wednesday. So, unless it keeps snowing after it cools down, we will have a crusty surface. Maybe not so great for skiing immediately, but it should make a nice base for the additional snow that may fall on Friday and Saturday. Next update probably not until Friday, 11/16, when we've had a chance to check out the various possible early season routes such as the Newcomb Lake Road, Fish Pond, and Hayes Brook. Additionally, Mt. Van Hoevenberg was already planning to open this weekend on a limited loop of "snow factory" snow; but more of the area may be open by then as well.
Regarding the earlier condition report about the Ausable Club golf course being skiable, this is now the official and definitive ruling from the Ausable Club: My post did generate a definitive answer about skiing on the Ausable Club golf course. The ruling is IT IS NOT PERMITTED. I'm sorry to have just gone by long tradition in my earlier post. However, with the significant increase in traffic through the Club and the consequent chance that there would be more skiing there,I and everyone else must comply with this ruling. Furthermore, with better snow elsewhere skiing there is no longer a necessity just to get sliding. And we will check the Lake Road for conditions this afternoon, and skiing is permitted there. Update: Lake Road is being driven to bring in firewood. Possible to ski the center, but not recommended. We'll check some of the other early season routes tomorrow and Friday and post before the weekend,