Conditions 1/9/13

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS:  There is currently 18-24" of snow on the ground in the Lake Placid area including another 2-3" of new snow over the weekend.  As of Wednesday morning, the snow is still light, but that will likely change as afternoon temperatures will be in the upper 30s with rain possible. Thursday will be cooler again, but then it warms up on Friday and stays warm through the weekend with a chance of more rain. It doesn't appear that we will lose all of the accumulated snow, and trying to be positive, this warm spell could settle the light fluffy snow we have to make a good base while also helping the lakes to finally freeze all the slush.  Meanwhile, "ski it while you can."

 Tupper Lake's free groomed trails have 6-12" of base with good skiing.

• JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:
                Base Depth - 10-30 inches
                Surface Conditions -Powder
                Km Open - 50
                Remarks -  Still a bit marginal with some wet areas from McKenzie Pond Road to Saranac Lake, but the rest of the trail is in great shape. 
  
  BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
                Snow Depth at Lake Colden: 32 inches
                Snow Depth at 4,000 feet: 4 feet
                Surface Conditions: Powder
                Remarks: Hiking trail from ADK Loj to Marcy Dam is skiable but marginal, so the Truck Trail is still the better choice.  Avalanche Pass is in generally good shape now with the new snow and some admirable shoveling. Still some rocks to dodge between the dam and Avalanche Camp.  Calamity Brook Trail also now skiable with skiers and snowshoers crossing Flowed Lands.
• Skiers and snowshoers are crossing both Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden, although slush under the snow remains a problem.  Caution definitely required near inlets and outlets.  Other lakes may be safe, but slush appears to be a universal problem so far this year. 
• Marcy now skiable above 50 meter bridge. Below that point, rock avoidance has been described as "technical".  Wright Peak skiable above the junction with the hiking trail.  Skis and snowshoes are now required in the High Peaks 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, Raquette Falls, and Hays Brook are skiable.   Should also mention that the Lake Road to the Lower Ausable Lake is skiable and the trail to Johns Brook Lodge is now skiable with only a few rough spots. 
  
  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 - 12" (packed)  
                Inches New Snow -
                Surface Conditions - powder
                Km Open - 50
                Km Tracked -50
                Remarks - 
• 
       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 - 10"      
                Inches New Snow -
                Surface Conditions - powder
                Km Open -All
                Km Tracked -All
                Remarks - Good skiing!
  
       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 -  12"     
                Inches New Snow -
                Surface Conditions - packed powder
                Km Open -10 km
                Km Tracked - 
                Remarks -  Trails will continue to be groomed, but the center is closed for the next few weeks.   
  
       Whiteface Club Nordic Center:
•     10 km of trails, open Wed-Sun. (daily during holiday weeks), rentals, 518-523-2551, www.whitefaceclubresort.com
                Base Depth - 14       
                Inches New Snow -
                Surface Conditions - Packed 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 - 6-8" (packed)  (16" off trail)
                        Inches New Snow -3
                       Surface Conditions -Packed Powder
                       Km Open - 15
                       Km Tracked -15
                       Remarks -   Great Skiing!