Conditions 12/13/13

• INTRODUCTORY REMARKS:  (with brief update as of Friday evening)
• Despite some intense flurries Wednesday afternoon and the promise of more snow Thursday night, we still only have 3-4" of light snow on the ground in the Lake Placid area.   It is still snowing as of Thursday morning, and more terrain will be available for the weekend.  The prediction for Saturday night and Sunday has now been changed to "moderate accumulation" - a hedge since predicting coastal storms is never easy.  Temperatures will be chilly with nighttime temps below zero and daytime temps only in the low teens.
• Meanwhile, the southwestern Adirondacks and Tug Hill have received major lake effect snow, so Osceola/Tug Hill and Lapland Lake centers plus backcountry routes in these areas (12" reported in Inlet as of Thursday P.M.) will be skiable this weekend.   
•  Lake Placid golf courses are generally skiable with the snow 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.  
•  Next week will see a continuing chance of snow with temperatures moderating to the 20s during the day, but so far no thaw in sight.    
• JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:
  •               Base Depth - 2-4"
  •               Surface Conditions -   powder         
                         Km Open - 5
                 Remarks -  Skiers have been out on the Peninsula section, but only that and the golf course sections can be recommended.
  
  BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
                Snow Depth at Lake Colden: 5-6"
                Snow Depth at 4,000 feet:  5-10"
                Surface Conditions: powder
                Remarks:    Marcy Dam Truck Trail not really skiable yet, but there is cover to slide on - just use caution as there will still be rocks that are not covered.  Whiteface Highway again skiable as it is was not plowed after this latest snow.  We'll check on Monday if the surveys of the planned repairs are complete. 
       Main Loop at Henry's Woods now skiable.
       Newcomb now has 5-6 inches of light snow, so road to Newcomb Lake is again skiable.
       Meadow Lane is still open and drivable and will remain so through the weekend, 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 (packed)
                  Inches New Snow - 1
                  Surface Conditions -  powder
                  Km Open - 10
                  Km Tracked -  
  •               Remarks - Flatter 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. Opening on limited terrain Saturday, 12/14.
    
             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 - 3-4"
                          Inches New Snow -  1
                         Surface Conditions - powder
                         Km Open - 10
                         Km Tracked - 
                         Remarks - No grooming yet.  Donation requested for trail use.
  
                 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 Friday AM.