Conditions 2/5/15

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS 

• • Well we finally benefitted from one of the storms that has been "plaguing" the coastal cities.  On Monday we picked up 8-10" of very light powder as temperatures never went very far above zero during the storm.  Given that our base had been slowly building, this new snow was all that was needed to put all popular ski routes in great shape. Cold Thursday and Friday with high temperatures only 10-12.  Warmer on Saturday, but then again colder than normal, but not really frigid, for Sunday and into next week.    Chance of additional light snow most days, but not enough to change the overall conditions.  No thaw in sight.
  • JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:
•              Base Depth - 12-16" 
               Surface Conditions - Powder 
               Km Open - 50 km
•                        Remarks - Most of the trail should be broken out by the coming weekend. 
  
  
  BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
                Snow Depth at Lake Colden: 38"
                Snow Depth at 4,000 feet:  4-5'  
                Surface Conditions: Powder 
            Meadow Lane now closed for the winter.  Adds nearly a mile each way on the Marcy Dam Truck Trail.  Skis or snowshoes required in the High Peaks, needed elsewhere.  This new light snow plus some significant wind loading means that no slide can be considered safe for skiing unless carefully analyzed.
• • Good skiing right from the Loj and through to Lake Colden. 
  • Wright Peak and Marcy good skiing from top to bottom.  
    
  • The Calamity Brook Trail fully skiable.  Opalescent River now frozen at Flowed Lands and crossable.  
  • Road to Newcomb Lake and Moose Pond good skiing with now 20" of cover.  
  • Fish Pond and Hays Brook truck trails skiable.  Raquette Falls also skiable, but even with this new snow the steep downhill about three miles in may still have rocks just under the surface. 
  • Connery Pond to Whiteface Landing skiable. 
  • Lake Colden and  Avalanche Lake crossable, but still avoid the outlet of Avalanche Lake. Other lakes also safe to cross.
  • Whiteface Highway skiable from the Toll House.
  • Keene Valley/Garden Parking has better cover, but it's still likely to be a bit rough skiing to JBL.  The rocks are "disguised but not covered", but the trail is skiable with care.
  • Lake Road to Lower Ausable Lake packed by snowmobiles and skiable.
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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 (packed) -  14" 
    •               Off track snow depth - 26"
                    Inches New Snow - 3
                    Surface Conditions - Powder
                    Km Open - 50
                    Km Tracked - 50
    •               Remarks -  Empire State Games this Saturday and Sunday on the Biathlon 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(packed) -   12" 
    •               Off track snow depth - 22"
                    Inches New Snow - 3
                    Surface Conditions -  Powder 
                    Km Open -20
                    Km Tracked - 15
                    Remarks -  Full Moon Party this Saturday, February 7. Starts at 8 PM. Ski to bonfires for hot dogs and beverages.  Band in the lodge.
    • 
               Whiteface Club Nordic Center:
    •     10 km of trails, open Wed-Sun. Rentals, 518-523-2551,
    • www.whitefaceclubresort.com
    •  Base Depth (packed) - 
                    Inches New Snow - 3
    •               Surface Conditions -  Powder 
                    Km Open -  10
                    Km Tracked - 10
                    Remarks -
    •              
               Paul Smith's VIC:
               20 km of trails, open daily, rentals, 518-327-6241, www.adirondackvic.org
                           Base Depth (packed) - 6-8"
                           Off track snow depth:  16"
                            Inches New Snow 6
                           Surface Conditions - Powder
                           Km Open - 20
                           Km Tracked - 10
                           Remarks - All trails open and packed.   
                   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 (packed) - 4-6"
                            Inches New Snow - 3"
                            Surface conditions - Powder 
                            Km Open -13
                            Km Tracked - 8
                            Remarks -  Good skiing with track set on the lower trails.  Upper trails now open with some thin spots.
    
                     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 groomed with track set - best conditions so far this winter