Conditions 11/30/12

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS: After a week of cold weather and occasional snow showers, we have 3-4" of light snow on the ground including 1-2" that fell overnight.  With no base, skiing is pretty much limited to the golf courses.  There would  be enough snow to ski the Whiteface Highway, but the Highway will apparently continue to be plowed for another one to two weeks while a new back up generator is installed for the equipment on the summit.  There is 6-8" of snow in Paul Smiths and the smoother trails at the VIC are skiable.  Hays Brook Truck Trail is also thin but skiable.
   Saturday will remain cold, but it is predicted to warm up starting Sunday with rain showers and temperatures in the 40s now predicted through Wednesday. Ski it while you can!

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  JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:
                Base Depth -
                Surface Conditions -
                Km Open - 
                Remarks -
  
  BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
                Snow Depth at Lake Colden: unknown
                Snow Depth at 4,000 feet: 6" (as of Thursday 11/29)
                Surface Conditions: Powder
                Remarks:    There is considerable ice on all the hiking trails, starting about 3,000 feet.  Traction aids will thus practically be mandatory for any ascents of the higher peaks.  Only six inches of snow at 4,000 feet before Thursday's snow, so snowshoes are not yet required.  Nevertheless, be prepared for winter conditions on the summits and remember that it is dark before 5 PM.  (See above for Whiteface Highway update.)  Hays Brook Truck Trail thin but skiable.
  
  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 -             
                Inches New Snow -
                Surface Conditions - 
                Km Open -
                Km Tracked -
                Remarks -
  
       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 -             
                Inches New Snow -
                Surface Conditions - 
                Km Open -
                Km Tracked -
                Remarks -
  
       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 -             
                Inches New Snow -
                Surface Conditions - 
                Km Open -
                Km Tracked -
                Remarks -       
  
       Whiteface Club Nordic Center:
•     10 km of trails, open Wed-Sun. (daily during holiday weeks), rentals, 518-523-2551, www.whitefaceclubresort.com
                Base Depth -             
                Inches New Snow -
                Surface Conditions - 
                Km Open -
                Km Tracked -
                Remarks -       

           Paul Smith's VIC:
           15 km of trails, open daily, rentals, 518-523-6241, www.adirondackvic.org
                  Base Depth -
                        Inches New Snow -
                       Surface Conditions - 
                       Km Open -
                       Km Tracked -
                       Remarks -