- JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:
- Base Depth - 4-12 inches
- Surface Conditions - powder
- Km Open - 50
- Remarks - Entire trail skiable, but caution still advised on the steeper hills.
BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
Snow Depth at Lake Colden: 28 inches
Snow Depth at 4,000 feet: 4 feet
Surface Conditions: powder
Remarks: Another four inches of new snow at Lake Colden this week along with some settling leaves the overall depth the same - just a bit denser and therefore better cover. Still, only the smoother terrain can be recommended. Hiking trail from ADK Loj to Marcy Dam better but still not all that skiable. (Caretaker won't use his new skis on it.) Truck Trail is skiable. Avalanche Pass has good cover as far as the top of the pass. Past the height of land, the new snow and some shoveling has brought that section back to skiable (with more caution than usual) condition. Still some rocks to dodge between the dam and Avalanche Camp. Calamity Brook Trail had many long wet areas, and was not recommended for skiing. No report of anyone skiing it to confirm whether this cold weather has improved conditions there. After last Friday's cold snap and with little snow insulating the ice, lakes are now skiable with mercifully little chance of slush problems.
- Avalanche Lake blown completely clear of snow, but safe. Lake Colden crossable with caution around the edges, inlets and outlets.
- Marcy still has good cover above 50 meter bridge. Below that point, probably not skiable even with fresh snow. Wright Peak also still has cover above the junction with the hiking trail.
- Skis and snowshoes required in the High Peaks Wilderness Area and needed elsewhere.
- Meadow Lane has been blocked off for the winter, adding 3/4 mile to approach of Marcy Dam.
- Otherwise, all the early season favorites including Connery Pond, Whiteface Highway , Newcomb Lake, Fish Pond (lake ice on all ponds is now thick enough and free of slush), Raquette Falls, Ausable Lake Road, and Hays Brook have skiable cover. 15" in Newcomb. Newcomb Lake Road and side road to Moose Pond are in good condition. Trail to Johns Brook Lodge still not really skiable.
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 - 8" (packed)
Inches New Snow -
Surface Conditions - powder
Km Open - 47
Km Tracked -47
Remarks - All open except for outer loop of Ladies 5km.
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"
Inches New Snow -
Surface Conditions - powder
Km Open - 15
Km Tracked - 10
Remarks - Full Moon party on Saturday, 1/26. 7:30-?. Bonfires, hot dogs, drinks, band
Lake Placid Club Nordic Center: (part of Lake Placid Crowne Plaza) - 10 km of trails, open holiday weeks and some weekends, rentals, 518-523-2556, www.lakeplacidcp.com
Base Depth - 2-4"
Inches New Snow -
Surface Conditions - powder
Km Open -?
Km Tracked -
Remarks -
Whiteface Club Nordic Center: - 10 km of trails, open Wed-Sun. (daily during holiday weeks), rentals, 518-523-2551, www.whitefaceclubresort.com
Base Depth - 8"
Inches New Snow -
Surface Conditions - powder
Km Open - 10
Km Tracked - 10
Remarks -
Paul Smith's VIC:
15 km of trails, open daily, rentals, 518-327-6241, www.adirondackvic.org
Base Depth - 8"
Inches New Snow - 2"
Surface Conditions - powder
Km Open - 15
Km Tracked - 10
Remarks - All trails open except Esker Trail
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"
Inches New Snow - 1"
Surface conditions - powder
Km Open - 8
Km Tracked -
Remarks - All lower trails open. Upper trails closed due to washouts.