Conditions 1/17/13

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS:  As of Wednesday, it had melted down to only 4-6" of snow in the Lake Placid area with some bare spots in open, south-facing areas. However, flurries Wednesday night and continuing today will significantly improve skiing surfaces.  There could also be isolated snow squalls, so some areas could get more than the generally predicted 2-3".  Cold tonight and tomorrow, warming to around 30 Saturday and Sunday, then followed by high temps only around 10 Monday through Wednesday next week.  No major new snow in sight, but enough flurries to put a good surface on the smoother terrain.

• JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:

•               Base Depth - 2-10 inches

•               Surface Conditions - frozen granular

 and powder

•               Km Open - 50
                Remarks -  Wet areas from McKenzie Pond Road to Saranac Lake, and thin conditions on the golf courses make some sections a bit rough, but the whole trail will be skiable for the weekend. Caution advised on the steeper hills.
  
  BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
                Snow Depth at Lake Colden: 23 inches
                Snow Depth at 4,000 feet: 3 feet
                Surface Conditions: frozen granular and powder
                Remarks: Three inches of new snow at Lake Colden overnight, but generally only the smoother terrain can be recommended until we get some more snow than we're likely to get from these flurries and squalls. Hiking trail from ADK Loj to Marcy Dam no longer skiable.  Truck Trail is skiable.  Avalanche Pass is still has good cover as far as the top of the pass.  Past the height of land, many open drainages and damage by a reported "army of postholers" have rendered the trail unskiable. 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.  Additionally, Flowed Lands is currently very thin and may not be crossable.  
• • • • • Avalanche and Lake Colden again crossable with caution around the edges, 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, and will be again skiable this weekend.  Down to about 10" in Newcomb, but Newcomb Lake Road remains very skiable and its gentle grades recommend it.    Should also mention that the Lake Road to the Lower Ausable Lake remains skiable but not enough to make the trail to Johns Brook Lodge again 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 - 2-5" (packed)  
                Inches New Snow - 2"
                Surface Conditions - frozen granular and powder
                Km Open - 30
                Km Tracked - 0
                Remarks - Most of biathlon side open, limited on x-c side due to race preparations.  Conditions definitely improved and will be good for the weekend.
• 
       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 - 2-3"
                Surface Conditions - frozen granular and powder
                Km Open - 15
                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 - 2
                Surface Conditions - frozen granular and powder
                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 - 3
                Surface Conditions - frozen granular and powder
                Km Open -  
                Km Tracked - 
                Remarks -  

           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 and powder
                       Km Open - 
                       Km Tracked -
                       Remarks -  Closed to skiing as of Tuesday.  No report as of Thursday morning.