Conditions 12/24/2014

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS 

• • As of Wednesday morning, the rain has arrives as predicted. Temperatures may reach 50 degrees today, slightly cooler Christmas day, and then cooler still starting on Christmas night.   Despite the warm temperatures and high winds on Christmas day, we don't expect to lose all of the snow that we have, so don't give up yet for the vacation week.  The first significant chance for new snow appears to be on Sunday, but the groomed centers should have enough snow to produce acceptable surfaces for skiing before then.  Next update on Friday, 12/26.
  • The only good that may come out of this thaw is that it will "reset" the process of ice formation on area lakes.  We thus may get some good thick ice before the next big snow, and this will minimize the chance of slush under the snow on lakes.
  • LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING IDEA:  LOST SKI AREAS OF THE NORTHERN ADIRONDACKS  by Jeremy Davis.  Learn that there were once 14 ski areas in or near Lake Placid, and another 13 between Tupper Lake, Paul Smiths, Saranac Lake, Wilmington, and Jay.  Available at the Bookstore Plus in Lake Placid and The Mountaineer in Keene Valley. 
    
  JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:
  •               Base Depth - 12-15" (except less as one heads toward Paul Smiths)
  •               Surface Conditions -   Wet powder 
                         Km Open - 50
                 Remarks -  All sections broken out.  Still a few branches on some sections.   Hills require caution as many have a broken track in the center and breakable crust on the edges.
  
  BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
                Snow Depth at Lake Colden: 18"
                Snow Depth at 4,000 feet:  2-3 feet 
                Surface Conditions: Wet powder 
            Meadow Lane now closed for the winter.  Adds nearly a mile each way on the Marcy Dam Truck Trail.  Skis or snowshoes now required in the High Peaks, needed elsewhere.
  • All popular backcountry routes are skiable, but caution will be needed as surfaces will be quite fast once the temperatures drop starting on Thursday night. If there is no new snow, only the gentler terrain will be recommended after the thaw. Additionally, many hills will have a broken track in the center and breakable crust on the sides.  Avalanche Pass is in good shape thanks to some shoveling by the Lake Colden caretaker.  Wright Peak and Marcy are skiable, but caution is needed as it isn't quite mid-winter conditions yet.  The Calamity Brook Trail is skiable but rough as Newcomb only got 12" - plenty for Newcomb Lake and Moose Pond - but rough for the start from Upper Works.  Connery Pond to Whiteface Landing broken out and all downed branches removed.
  • Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden have been crossable, but probably not so until it again cold down.  No other lakes or rivers are safe to cross.  The only good that may come from next week's thaw is that we can start over building up a decent thickness of ice on the lakes so that there isn't "terminal slush" that prevents crossing any lakes without icing up.
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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 (packed) -  5" 
    •               Off track snow depth - 12"
                    Inches New Snow - 
                    Surface Conditions -  Wet powder and hardpack 
                    Km Open - 50
                    Km Tracked - 50
    •               Remarks -   Snacks and rentals now available
    •      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(packed) -   5" 
    •               Off track snow depth - 10"
                    Inches New Snow - 
                    Surface Conditions -  Wet powder and hardpack 
                    Km Open -15
                    Km Tracked - 15
                    Remarks -  Ski shop open daily.  Bar and restaurant open weekends and Christmas week.  
    • 
               Whiteface Club Nordic Center:
    •     10 km of trails, open Wed-Sun. Rentals, 518-523-2551,
    • www.whitefaceclubresort.com
    •  Base Depth (packed) - 5"
                    Inches New Snow - 
    •               Surface Conditions -  Wet powder and hardpack 
                    Km Open -  10
                    Km Tracked - 10
                    Remarks - Open for the season as of 12/20
    •              
    • Lake Placid Club Nordic Center  -  Open for Christmas week 12/26-1/4
    • 15 km of trails   518-523-2556
    •  Base Depth (packed) - 4"
                    Inches New Snow - 
    •               Surface Conditions -   Powder and hardpack 
                    Km Open -  15
                    Km Tracked - 10
                    Remarks - Dogs permitted with restrictions
    
               Paul Smith's VIC:
               20 km of trails, open daily, rentals, 518-327-6241, www.adirondackvic.org
                           Base Depth (packed) - 3-5
                           Off track snow depth:  6"
                            Inches New Snow 
                           Surface Conditions - Wet powder and hardpack
                           Km Open - 15
                           Km Tracked - 
                           Remarks -  All trails except the Esker Trail packed and skiable. Some limited set track.
    
                   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 (packed) - 4"
                            Inches New Snow - 
                            Surface conditions - Wet powder
                            Km Open - 10
                            Km Tracked - 5
                            Remarks - Trails packed, set track on lower trails
    
                     Tupper Lake free x-c ski trails
                 10 km of groomed trails starting from Tupper Lake Golf Course 
                 http://www.skitupperlake.blogspot.com
               3-6" of cover.  All trails packed and all but Big Tupper Trail tracked.