Conditions 12/23/2013

• INTRODUCTORY REMARKS 
• After a weekend of truly extreme contrasts of temperatures and conditions, we're adjusting to the reality that there is not much good to report for Christmas week.  Temperatures remained in the 40s in the Lake Placid area for much of the weekend, so most of the nice snow from a week ago is now gone.  We do have some base left, but once the temperature drops it will be icy; and there is no significant snow in the current forecast to cover it up.  
• Temperatures will fall rapidly starting Monday afternoon and be below zero Christmas morning before rising to seasonal normals by the end of the week.
• Garnet Hill, Lapland Lake and Osceola Tug Hill are still reporting enough snow for skiing, and definitely the southwest Adirondacks had enough from the lake effect to not have melted down.  Nevertheless, surface conditions will be poor - hence the best skiing will be at those groomed centers.     
  
• JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:
  •               Base Depth - 2"
  •               Surface Conditions -   slush grading to crust       
                         Km Open - 
                 Remarks -  No section can be recommended as of Monday
  
  BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
                Snow Depth at Lake Colden: 6"
                Snow Depth at 4,000 feet:  8-10" (estimated)
                Surface Conditions: slush grading to crust as the temperature drops.
                Remarks:    No backcountry route can be recommended.  Ski or snowshoes no longer required, but micospikes or crampons will be practically mandatory right from the parking lot once the temperature drops.   
  Ice on Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden not safe to cross as of Monday, but once the temperature drops it will be - just be very careful around inlets or outlets. Unbridged streams have mostly "gone out" and may be difficult to cross until they refreeze.
     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
                  Inches New Snow - 2
                  Surface Conditions -  slush and grass
                  Km Open - 
                  Km Tracked -  
  •               Remarks - The web cam of the x-c stadium looks much like the web cam for both the Herb Brook Arena and the speed skating oval. 
  • 
         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 and bar open daily. Restaurant expected to open next week. 
    
             Whiteface Club Nordic Center:
  •     10 km of trails, open Wed-Sun. (except holiday weeks)  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 - No trails open.  Severe icing has brought down many trees and limbs
  
                 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 -  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.