Conditions 3/14/14

• INTRODUCTORY REMARKS 
• We definitely got the snow as predicted. 12-14" in the Lake Placid area and about two feet at Lake Colden.  So finally, with Spring just around the corner, we have mid-winter conditions. Temperatures will be above freezing Friday and Saturday with a bit of snow or even rain showers possible each day.  Back to cold conditions as of Sunday - Wednesday before again warming to a high near 40 on Thursday.  So, while the surfaces will deteriorate a bit, the snow we have isn't melting anytime soon.
• So get out there and make up for all the skiing missed in January.

JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:

•               Base Depth - 18-24"
•               Surface Conditions -  powder        

                       Km Open - 50

               Remarks -  All sections skiable. All major sections, except for the Paul Smiths section will be broken out by the weekend.

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
              Snow Depth at Lake Colden: 40" 
              Snow Depth at 4,000 feet:  6-7' 
              Surface Conditions: Coverage is finally good everywhere.  To belabor the obvious, skis or snowshoes required for all travel in the High Peaks and definitely needed everywhere else.   Ice on Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden definitely crossable, and the firm wind-packed powder means still no slush problems there. All other smaller bodies of water safe to cross,  just be very careful around inlets or outlets.   The only questions is when the popular routes will be broken out.

                    
          Meadow Lane now closed for the winter.  Adds nearly a mile each way on the Marcy Dam Truck Trail.

• Whiteface Highway:  Given the wind that accompanied this storm, some areas may be blown clear - otherwise good cover.  
  
• Marcy trail finally in good shape from bottom to top. Downed trees below Indian Falls have now been cleared.  Thanks to Ron Konowitz, Katie Tyler, and Colden Caretaker Sean Platt. 
• Wright Peak Ski Trail also finally in good shape, including the section shared with the hiking trail. 
  
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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) -  11" 
  •               Off track snow depth - 26"
                  Inches New Snow - 3" as of Sunday morning
                  Surface Conditions -  packed powder 
                  Km Open - 50
                  Km Tracked - 50
  •               Remarks -   Good skiing on all trails. 
  •      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) -   10" 
                  Inches New Snow - 3"
                  Surface Conditions - packed powder and hardback
                  Km Open -15
                  Km Tracked - 10
                  Remarks -  Ski shop open daily.  Restaurant open Wed-Sun this week.  
  • 
             Whiteface Club Nordic Center:
  •     10 km of trails, open Wed-Sun. Rentals, 518-523-2551,
  • www.whitefaceclubresort.com
                  Base Depth (packed) - 8"
                  Inches New Snow - 3"
  •               Surface Conditions - packed powder   
                  Km Open -  10
                  Km Tracked - 10
                  Remarks - Will be open to the end of the month as long as there is snow.
  
             Paul Smith's VIC:
             20 km of trails, open daily, rentals, 518-327-6241, www.adirondackvic.org
                         Base Depth (packed) - 8-10"
                         Off track snow depth:  24"
                          Inches New Snow - 3"
                         Surface Conditions - powder and groomed granular
                         Km Open - 20
                         Km Tracked - 12
                         Remarks -   All trails open and in good condition
  
                 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) - 6-8"
                          Inches New Snow - 2"
                          Surface conditions - packed powder 
                          Km Open - 13
                          Km Tracked - Tracking as conditions permit
                          Remarks - Lower trails groomed. Upper trails ungroomed 
  
                   Tupper Lake free x-c ski trails
               10 km of groomed trails starting from Tupper Lake Golf Course 
               http://www.skitupperlake.blogspot.com
               8-12" of base. All loops between Golf Course and the ski area groomed with track set.