Conditions 12/19/2013

• INTRODUCTORY REMARKS 
• No significant new snow since we picked up 8-12" of light snow last weekend.  Given that there was very little base underneath, the skiing is still a bit rough in places.  Temperatures have moderated, but precipitation Friday and Saturday will still be of the frozen kind.  Any mention of the "R word" has been pushed back to Sunday, but it doesn't appear to be an extended thaw with some new snow predicted early next week. Next update on Saturday, 12/21, when we have a better (maybe worse) idea of the coming weather.
•     
  
• JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:
  •               Base Depth - 8-10"
  •               Surface Conditions -   powder         
                         Km Open - 50
                 Remarks -  Enough new snow that the entire trail is skiable.  The snow is light and there isn't much base underneath, so caution is still advised on any downhills as there are still rocks lurking below the smooth white surface.
  
  BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
                Snow Depth at Lake Colden: 20"
                Snow Depth at 4,000 feet:  24-30" (estimated)
                Surface Conditions: powder
                Remarks:    Marcy Dam Truck Trail now very skiable, although there are still a few rocks that must be avoided.  Trail from Marcy Dam to Avalanche Camp still very rough and not yet recommended although Avalanche Pass is skiable.  Hiking trail from ADK Loj not yet recommended.  Whiteface Highway again skiable as it is was not plowed after this latest snow.   
        Otherwise, all of the early season favorites (Hays Brook, Fish Pond, Raquette Falls, Newcomb Lake, Ausable Lake Road, and Connery Pond are definitely skiable, if still thin.  
        Meadow Lane is still open but is no longer drivable.  The winter barriers will likely be placed later this week.  
        Ice on Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden safe to cross as is the ice on all smaller bodies of water.  Snowshoes or skis now required for all travel in the High Peaks and definitely needed elsewhere.  Traction aids - preferably crampons - may still needed for any steep trail at any elevation.  The snow is very soft, so trail breaking will be slow and difficult.
     Definitely be prepared for full winter weather conditions on any bare summit. 
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  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 -  7(packed)
                  Inches New Snow - 2
                  Surface Conditions -  powder
                  Km Open - 50
                  Km Tracked -  45
  •               Remarks -  Track set on all but Big Rock and Hi-Notch. 
  • 
         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 -   6 (packed)
                  Inches New Snow - 2
                  Surface Conditions - powder
                  Km Open - 10
                  Km Tracked - 5
                  Remarks - Ski shop and restaurant open daily. 
    
             Whiteface Club Nordic Center:
  •     10 km of trails, open Wed-Sun. (except holiday weeks)  rentals, 518-523-2551,
  • www.whitefaceclubresort.com
                  Base Depth -  5'
                  Inches New Snow - 2
  •               Surface Conditions -  powder
                  Km Open -  10
                  Km Tracked - 
                  Remarks - Opening for the season Saturday, 12/21.  Open daily through 1/5/14 - conditions permitting.
  
             Paul Smith's VIC:
             15 km of trails, open daily, rentals, 518-327-6241, www.adirondackvic.org
                         Base Depth - 3-4"
                          Inches New Snow -  2
                         Surface Conditions - powder
                         Km Open - 20
                         Km Tracked - 
                         Remarks - All trail packed.  A few rough spots, but generally good conditions.
  
                 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 - 4" (packed)
                          Inches New Snow - 1
                          Surface conditions - powder
                          Km Open - Lower trails packed, no track set
                          Km Tracked - 
                          Remarks -  Upper trails ungroomed
  
                   Tupper Lake free x-c ski trails
               10 km of groomed trails starting from Tupper Lake Golf Course 
               http://www.skitupperlake.blogspot.com
  All trails packed and open as of last Sunday.  Still thin cover.