Conditions 2/7/13

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS:   Since Monday, we've picked up 2-3" of new snow in various flurries, and where there is a base the skiing is quite good.  The big news is that the "chance of light snow" originally forecast for Friday has become a "winter storm watch".  Predictions of total snowfall vary from 4-15" depending on the forecaster.  The trend in the forecasts has been toward greater snowfall so it certainly seems we'll pick up at least 6", which is about all we need to put most trails back in skiable condition.  If we get the higher amount, then even Marcy, Wright Peak and the rougher backcountry routes will be skiable for the first time since Christmas.

• JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:

•               Base Depth - 2-8 inches

•               Surface Conditions -  frozen granular and powder
•               Km Open - 30

              Remarks -  With new snow, sections from River Rd. to Rt. 86 and Peninsula area are in good shape. Old Mountain Road and Whiteface Inn Lane to the top of the pass are also now skiable. Very thin and not really skiable in either direction from McKenzie Pond Rd. 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:  An additional 2-3" of very light new snow this week has further improved the smoother terrain, but hiking trail from ADK Loj to Marcy Dam still not skiable. Truck Trail skiable, but still 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  spots with no base 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 - 1"
                Surface Conditions -  powder and frozen granular
                Km Open - 20
                Km Tracked - 
                Remarks - Portions of Porter Mt. now open, and by the weekend the entire area should be open. 
• 
       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 - 1"
                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 -    1-4"  
                Inches New Snow - 1"
                Surface Conditions - powder and frozen granular
                Km Open -  7
                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 - 
                       Surface Conditions - powder and frozen granular
                       Km Open - 15
                       Km Tracked - 
                       Remarks - All loops except Esker and Fox Run open. 

               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 -  Still closed until conditions improve, but should be open for the weekend