Conditions 12/3/2013

• INTRODUCTORY REMARKS:  We currently have just 1-3" of snow in the Lake Placid area, but there is more at Mt. Van Hoevenberg and to the west.  (See Backcountry Conditions).  We didn't end up getting much snow on Sunday night.  While temperatures will remain below normal this week, it will be just warm enough for some light rain on Thursday followed by colder weather and some more light snow by the weekend.  We'll update on Friday when we have a better idea of the weekend weather.  
• Lake Placid golf courses definitely skiable, although the more open sections are windblown.
•      
• JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:
  •               Base Depth - 1-3"
  •               Surface Conditions - powder with crust underneath            
                         Km Open - 10
                 Remarks -  Most sections not quite ready except for the Peninsula section near Lake Placid and the Paul Smiths section south of Rt. 86, and both are definitely still thin.
  
  BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
                Snow Depth at Lake Colden: 6"
                Snow Depth at 4,000 feet:  6-10"
                Surface Conditions: powder
                Remarks:   Still thin cover, but Fish Pond Truck Trail, Hayes Brook Truck Trail and Newcomb Lake are definitely skiable.  Best to drive to the register at Fish Pond.  Whiteface Highway was again skiable this past weekend after having been plowed for the Governor's visit, but plowing will continue for another two weeks to allow for surveys of the planned repairs.
       Meadow Lane is still open and drivable, but it could be closed at any time.  Marcy Dam Truck Trail is now just barely skiable but not recommended, and definitely use extra caution on all downhills as there are still periodic rocks that are not covered.  No hiking trails are yet skiable.  Ice on Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden now safe to cross.  Snowshoes not yet required, but may be helpful above 4,000 feet.  Traction aids definitely needed for any steep trail at any elevation.  
       While temperatures have moderated from the cold of the past weekend, definitely be prepared for 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 -  3" (packed)
                  Inches New Snow - 
                  Surface Conditions -  powder
                  Km Open - 10
                  Km Tracked -  
  •               Remarks - Flatter terrain on the x-c side of the road
  • 
         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 - Could be open for this coming weekend
    
             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 skiable.  No grooming
  
             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 - 
  
                 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