Conditions 2/20/13

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS:   We currently have 4-8 inches of snow on the ground in the Lake Placid area including 2" of new snow on Tuesday night.  We also expect to pick up another 2-3" in various flurries today, Wednesday, and Thursday.  Temperatures will be a bit above seasonable normals with highs Friday through Sunday in the 30s.  So generally good conditions for the coming weekend, although the cover is still a bit thin for some of the rougher terrain.

JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:

•               Base Depth - 10-20 inches

              Surface Conditions - powder and crust             
              Km Open - 50

        Remarks -  Entire trail skiable.  Caution still required on downhills as are still some hazards not fully covered.

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
              Snow Depth at Lake Colden: 33"
              Snow Depth at 4,000 feet: 4-1/2 feet 
              Surface Conditions:  powder with underlying frozen granular
              Remarks:   Hiking trail from Adirondak Loj to Marcy Dam not really skiable, but better  if taking the Old Marcy Dam Trail from the campground.  The truck trail is still the best ski approach to Marcy Dam, but 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.   Calamity Brook trail and Flowed Lands also skiable with only 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.
  • 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.  
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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 -  6" (packed)
                Inches New Snow - 2
                Surface Conditions -  powder with granular
                Km Open - 50
                Km Tracked - 47 
•               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 -  6" (packed)   
                Inches New Snow - 2
                Surface Conditions -  powder with granular
                Km Open - 20
                Km Tracked - 15
                Remarks - Full Moon Party Saturday, 2/23, starting at 7:30 PM
  
       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 - 2
                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 - 2
•               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 -  2
                       Surface Conditions - powder
                       Km Open - 20
                       Km Tracked - 15
                       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 - 1
                        Surface conditions -  powder and granular
                        Km Open -  15
                        Km Tracked - 7
                        Remarks -  Upper trails still have thin cover. 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
                          All trails packed and tracked.