Conditions 2/4/13

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS:   There is some base left in the wooded areas, and with 2-3" of light new snow Saturday and Saturday night there is skiing to be had. So far, no major storm in sight, but a few additional flurries, especially Thursday night and Friday, will make for even better conditions by week's end.  Temperatures will remain at or slightly below normal through this week, but warming to near 30 Saturday and Sunday.  With no new snow forecast, the next update likely not until Thursday, 2/7, when we know better how much snow might fall before the weekend and what weekend temperatures will be.

• JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:

•               Base Depth - 0-6 inches

•               Surface Conditions -  frozen granular and powder
•               Km Open - 15

              Remarks -  With new snow, sections from River Rd. to Rt. 86 and Peninsula area are again just barely skiable. Paul Smiths section is definitely skiable.

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
              Snow Depth at Lake Colden: 18 "
              Snow Depth at 4,000 feet: 3-1/2 feet 
              Surface Conditions:  frozen granular and powder
              Remarks:  2-3" of very light new snow has improved the smoother terrain, but hiking trail from ADK Loj to Marcy Dam still not skiable. Truck Trail skiable, but use caution on all hills as there were some bare spots after the thaw.  Avalanche Pass  still has generally good cover as far as the top of the pass, but there are some bare spots above Marcy Dam where water flowed across the trail during last week's thaw.  Additionally, the drainages going down to the lake from the top of the pass reopened and are rough and may even require removing skis to cross.  Ditto for the stretch from Avalanche Lake to Colden.  Lakes again safe, but with great caution near inlets and outlets that may have opened up.

• • Marcy still has cover above 50 meter bridge. Below that point not skiable. 
• Skis and snowshoes still required to at least be carried in the High Peaks Wilderness Area and used whenever one is breaking through.  
• Meadow Lane has been blocked off for the winter, adding 3/4 mile to approach of Marcy Dam.  
• Otherwise, of the early season favorites, the Hays Brook Truck Trail in Paul Smiths (3" new snow in 48 hours) is again skiable.  Newcomb Lake Road and side road to Moose Pond held onto at least 8" of base and with 2-3" of powder on top can be highly recommended. No recent reports, but Burn Road in William C. Whitney Area near Little Tupper Lake and Fish Pond Truck Trail should also be 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 -  2-3"
                Inches New Snow - 
                Surface Conditions -  powder and frozen granular
                Km Open - 15
                Km Tracked - 
                Remarks - Limited to flat terrain on x-c side
• 
       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 -  3"   
                Inches New Snow - 
                Surface Conditions -  powder and frozen granular
                Km Open - 10
                Km Tracked - 5
                Remarks - Restaurant, bar, and ski shop open
  
       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 -      
                Inches New Snow - 
                Surface Conditions -
                Km Open -  
                Km Tracked - 
                Remarks -  

           Paul Smith's VIC:
           15 km of trails, open daily, rentals, 518-327-6241, www.adirondackvic.org
                       Base Depth - 2-6"
                        Inches New Snow - 2
                       Surface Conditions - powder and frozen granular
                       Km Open - 15
                       Km Tracked - 
                       Remarks - All loops except Esker and Fox Run now open with the new snow

               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 -  Closed until conditions improve