Conditions 12/12/13

• INTRODUCTORY REMARKS:  Despite some major flurries on Wednesday, there is still just three inches of light snow in the Lake Placid area. Another 2-4" is predicted for Thursday night. If this actually materializes it will allow more terrain to open up.  The southwestern Adirondacks and Tug Hill are getting major lake effect snow, so Osceola/Tug Hill and Lapland Lake centers plus backcountry routes in these areas will be skiable this weekend.    
• The next chance for any more significant snow is on Saturday night, but the most recent forecasts have reduced the predicted amount to only a few inches. 
•  Lake Placid golf courses are generally skiable with the three inches of powder we currently have.  Looking at the bright side, this cold weather without snow will freeze up most water courses so that there won't be bare spots due to unfrozen water and the lake ice will get thick and thereby lessen the slush problems.  
•      

JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:

•               Base Depth - 1-3"
•               Surface Conditions -  powder         

                       Km Open - ?

               Remarks -  Some skiers have been out on the Peninsula section, but no section can be recommended.

              Snow Depth at Lake Colden: 5"

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:

              Snow Depth at 4,000 feet: 5-10"

              Surface Conditions: powder

              Remarks:  Marcy Dam Truck Trail not really skiable yet, and no hiking trails are skiable.   Whiteface Highway not skiable as it was plowed earlier this week, and plowing will continue for (apparently) another week to allow for surveys of the planned repairs.  As of Tuesday afternoon, a coating of snow had not been plowed, but there were vehicle tracks so it does appear work is continuing.  

     Newcomb now has 6-7 inches of light snow, so road to Newcomb Lake is again skiable.

     Meadow Lane is still open and drivable, but will likely be closed when we get any significant snow.  

      Ice on Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden again safe to cross.  Snowshoes not yet required.  Traction aids - preferably crampons - definitely needed for any steep trail at any elevation.  

• 
  
• 
  

   Definitely be prepared for full winter weather conditions on any bare summit. 

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 -  2-3"
                Inches New Snow -  2 
                Surface Conditions - powder 
                Km Open - 10
                Km Tracked -  
•               Remarks - Flat terrain only 
• 
       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 - Ski shop open daily.  Could open for the weekend with the snow predicted for Thursday night.
  
           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 - Golf course is white enough to permit sliding on your skis.

           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 - No phone report, and the web site has not been updated yet this season. Enough snow that the Hayes Brook Truck Trail should be skiable.

               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
                          They did groom Thanksgiving week and could groom again if the lake effect snow makes it that far, but no report as of Thursday morning.