- INTRODUCTORY REMARKS: While we generally picked up 12-15 inches of very light snow in the Lake Placid area last Friday, there was a surprising amount of "shadowing" - in particular with less snow falling at ADK Loj and the approaches to the High Peaks. This week's warmer daytime temperatures did not significantly diminish the snow. Fortunately, intermittent flurries Friday and into Saturday put a softer surface on the snow for the weekend. Colder Saturday and Sunday with daytime temperatures only barely reaching 20 each day. No significant new snow in the forecast for next week, but temperatures, while warming from the weekend will remain at or below freezing, so no change in conditions in the offing. Next update on Monday, 2/18 when we have a better idea of next week's weather.
- JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:
- Base Depth - 10-20 inches
- Surface Conditions - powder and crust
- Km Open - 50
- Remarks - Entire trail skiable and major sections have been broken out. Caution still required on downhills as are still some hazards not fully covered.
BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
Snow Depth at Lake Colden: 32"
Snow Depth at 4,000 feet: 4-1/2 feet
Surface Conditions: powder with underlying frozen granular
Remarks: As noted above, the extreme shadowing resulted in only 4" of new snow last week at ADK Loj. Hiking trail not really skiable, so the truck trail is definitely the best ski approach to Marcy Dam. Even so, some rocks still showing on the truck trail - especially on one corner not quite a mile from the register. Still some rocks to dodge from Marcy Dam to Avalanche Camp, but after that Avalanche Pass is in good shape. Some rough spots between Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden. Calamity Brook trail skiable with a few tricky crossings of small streams. Still too thin to ski the lower part of the Marcy Trail, but skiable snow above 50 meter bridge. Likewise, Wright Peak only skiable above the junction with the hiking trail. Northside Trail to Johns Brook Lodge passable on skis, but not recommended due to numerous rocks and roots still showing.- Skis and snowshoes definitely 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.
- Lake ice generally safe and slush free, although care is needed at the outlet of Avalanche Lake. Lake surfaces rough and bumpy due to drifting.
- All other popular tours (Connery Pond, Hays Brook, Raquette Falls, Fish Pond, Newcomb Lake, Moose Pond, Ausable Lake Road) in good shape. Whiteface Highway reported to be very thin for about half its length due to the wind. Especially thin or even bare above the Lake Placid Turn. ________________________________________________
- 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 - 6" (packed)
Inches New Snow - 1
Surface Conditions - powder with granular
Km Open - 50
Km Tracked - 47 - Remarks - Outer Loop of Ladies 5km still a bit rough.
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" (packed)
Inches New Snow - 1
Surface Conditions - powder with granular
Km Open - 20
Km Tracked - 15
Remarks -
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 - 2-3" (packed)
Inches New Snow - 1
Surface Conditions - powder and granular
Km Open - 10
Km Tracked - 10
Remarks - Open all this week 2/16 - 2/24
Whiteface Club Nordic Center: - 10 km of trails, open Wed-Sun. (daily during holiday weeks), rentals, 518-523-2551, www.whitefaceclubresort.com
Base Depth - 4" (packed)
Inches New Snow - 1 - Surface Conditions - powder with granular
Km Open - 10
Km Tracked - 10
Remarks - Open Monday and Tuesday this coming week
Paul Smith's VIC:
15 km of trails, open daily, rentals, 518-327-6241, www.adirondackvic.org
Base Depth - 4-6" (packed)
Inches New Snow - 1
Surface Conditions - powder
Km Open - 20
Km Tracked - 10
Remarks - All loops open. 15" inches off trail depth
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 - 5" (packed)
Inches New Snow -
Surface conditions - powder and granular
Km Open - 13
Km Tracked -
Remarks - Upper trails still have thin cover.
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. No set track. Traditional Lumberjack Scramble Saturday, 2/6, 10 AM - 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 - 6" (packed)
Inches New Snow -
Surface Conditions - powder with granular
Km Open - 50
Km Tracked - 45 - Remarks - Outer Loop of Ladies 5km still a bit rough.
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" (packed)
Inches New Snow -
Surface Conditions - powder with granular
Km Open - 20
Km Tracked - 5
Remarks -
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 -
Inches New Snow -
Surface Conditions -
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 - 4" (packed)
Inches New Snow - - Surface Conditions - powder with granular
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 - 4-6" (packed)
Inches New Snow -
Surface Conditions - powder
Km Open - 20
Km Tracked -
Remarks - All loops open. 15" inches off trail depth
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 - 5" (packed)
Inches New Snow -
Surface conditions - powder and granular
Km Open - 13
Km Tracked -
Remarks - Upper trails still have thin cover.
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. No set track. Traditional Lumberjack Scramble Saturday, 2/6, 10 AM