Conditions 1/15/13

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS:  The good news: as of Monday morning, none of the threatened rain has occurred. The bad news: high winds Sunday night with temperatures remaining in the 40s melted a good deal of snow so that there is now only 4-6" of snow in the Lake Placid area with some bare spots in open, south-facing areas. It still doesn't appear that we will lose all of the accumulated snow as it will cool down by this afternoon.  And trying to be positive, this warm spell has settled the light fluffy snow so we will have to make a good base.  By Wednesday we will have high temperatures only around 20 with some snow showers before next weekend, so don't count this season out just yet.  Meanwhile, best skiing will be on groomed/tilled trails at the ski centers.  Next update on Thursday, 1/17 when we see how much snow fell on Wednesday night and what the weekend weather looks like.

• JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:

•               Base Depth - 2-10 inches

 

•               Surface Conditions - frozen granular
                Km Open - 35?
                Remarks -  Wet areas from McKenzie Pond Road to Saranac Lake, and thin conditions on the golf courses make some sections unskiable, but the rest of the trail has retained its cover and will be good again with 3-4" of new snow. Meanwhile, only the flatter sections can be recommended. 
  
  BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
                Snow Depth at Lake Colden: 20 inches
                Snow Depth at 4,000 feet: 3 feet
                Surface Conditions: frozen granular
                Remarks: Generally, only the flatter terrain can be recommended until we get some more snow. Hiking trail from ADK Loj to Marcy Dam no longer skiable.  Truck Trail is still mostly skiable.  Avalanche Pass is still has good cover as far as the top of the pass, but many open drainages after that. Still some rocks to dodge between the dam and Avalanche Camp.  Calamity Brook Trail has many long wet areas, and is not recommended for skiing.
• Skiers and snowshoers were crossing both Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden, but not recommended until it cools off, and then caution definitely required near inlets and outlets.  
• Marcy still has good cover above 50 meter bridge. Below that point, probably not skiable even with fresh snow.   Wright Peak also still has cover above the junction with the hiking trail.  
• Skis and snowshoes are still required in the High Peaks and needed elsewhere, but traction aids will be very necessary on all steep terrain.
  •  
• 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 , Newcomb Lake, Fish Pond, Raquette Falls, and Hays Brook have skiable cover, but will need some new snow to be much fun to ski.  Down to about 10" in Newcomb, but Newcomb Lake Road remains very skiable and its gentle grades recommend it until we do get more snow.   Should also mention that the Lake Road to the Lower Ausable Lake remains skiable but not the trail to Johns Brook Lodge. 
  
  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 - 2-4" (packed)  
                Inches New Snow -
                Surface Conditions - frozen granular
                Km Open - 10
                Km Tracked - 0
                Remarks - As of Tuesday, only flattest trails open.  Too little snow left to do much power tilling, but snowmobiles have produced a good surface - especially for skating.
• 
       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 - 2-4"      
                Inches New Snow -
                Surface Conditions - frozen granular
                Km Open - 10
                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 -  0-4"     
                Inches New Snow -
                Surface Conditions - frozen granular
                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 - 6"       
                Inches New Snow -
                Surface Conditions - frozen granular
                Km Open -
                Km Tracked - 
                Remarks -  We'll see what they report on Wednesday    

           Paul Smith's VIC:
           15 km of trails, open daily, rentals, 518-327-6241, www.adirondackvic.org
                       Base Depth - 4" 
                        Inches New Snow -
                       Surface Conditions -frozen granular
                       Km Open - 
                       Km Tracked -
                       Remarks -  Closed to skiing.