Conditions 12/1/2013

• INTRODUCTORY REMARKS:  We currently have just 1-3" of snow in the Lake Placid area, but there is more at Mt. Van Hoevenberg and to the west.  (See Backcountry Conditions).  The forecast calls for maybe 2" of new light snow Sunday night followed by continued colder than average temperatures through the rest of the week with the possibility of some more light snow.  Open areas still have large bare areas - along with corresponding drifts - due to the high winds last week, but wooded areas have consistent, if still thin, cover.  
•      We'll update as we learn more this week, but it looks good for skiing for the coming weekend. 
• JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:
  •               Base Depth - 1-3"
  •               Surface Conditions - powder with crust underneath            
                         Km Open - ?
                 Remarks -  Most sections not quite ready except for the Paul Smiths section south of Rt. 86, and that is definitely still thin.
  
  BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
                Snow Depth at Lake Colden: Should be able to get a report this week
                Snow Depth at 4,000 feet:  6-10"
                Surface Conditions: powder
                Remarks:   Still thin cover, but Fish Pond Truck Trail, Hayes Brook Truck Trail and Newcomb Lake are definitely skiable.  Best to drive to the register at Fish Pond unless we get a lot of snow on Sunday night.  Whiteface Highway is again skiable after having been plowed for the Governor's visit.  We'll check this week to see if the plowing will continue.  
       Meadow Lane is still open and drivable, but it could be closed at any time.  Marcy Dam Truck Trail is now skiable, but use extra caution on all downhills as there are still periodic rocks that are not covered.  No hiking trails are yet 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 -  3" (packed)
                  Inches New Snow - 1
                  Surface Conditions -  powder
                  Km Open - 10
                  Km Tracked -  
  •               Remarks - Flatter terrain on the x-c side of the road
  • 
         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 - Could be open for next weekend
    
             Whiteface Club Nordic Center:
  •     10 km of trails, open Wed-Sun.  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, 518-327-6241, www.adirondackvic.org
                         Base Depth - 
                          Inches New Snow -  
                         Surface Conditions - 
                         Km Open - 
                         Km Tracked - 
                         Remarks - 
  
                 Dewey Mountain - Saranac  Lake
              13 km of trails, open daily (including nights until 7PM Tue. - Fri.), rentals, 891-2697         http://www.deweymountain.com
                          Base Depth -
                          Inches New Snow - 
                          Surface conditions - 
                          Km Open -  
                          Km Tracked - 
                          Remarks -  
  
                   Tupper Lake free x-c ski trails
               10 km of groomed trails starting from Tupper Lake Golf Course 
               http://www.skitupperlake.blogspot.com