Not much change from the 3/16 report. Temperatures have mostly remained below freezing with just a bit of thawing on south-facing slopes. We will now be warming up during the day, but still with cold nights, so expect hard and fast conditions in the AM and softer conditions in the PM. Mt. Van Hoevenberg and Cascade will probably end their seasons of grooming on Sunday, 4/1; but there will still be plenty of snow on those trails for a week or so afterwards.
There is now a chance of some snow flurries associated with the big nor'easter battering the East Coast, but definitely nothing more than that, and daytime temperatures will be into the 40s next week.
It's been another "up and down" season to report on. If you have appreciated these reports, please consider a donation to BETA - contact info available elsewhere on this site. As the spring thaw progresses, we will not be updating as often as we did during the winter season, but you "die-hards" probably know pretty much what to expect on a day-to-day basis
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
- Great week for skiing! Every area received at least 8", with 12-15" common. There is enough new snow that the DEC has issued avalanche warnings, but these only apply to the slides and not to any of the popular touring routes. Despite the signs still present at the top of Avalanches Pass, that slide has never slid is 20 years, and now there are several lines of trees that have grown in to further prevent any possibility of an avalanche. Back to more mid-winter temperatures for the weekend, but no deep freeze like we had in early January.
- Best news is that the forecast for the coming week indicates continued cold temperatures and maybe a bit of additional snow. So next weekend should be just as good!
JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS
- Surface Conditions: powder
- Km Open - 50
- Remarks - All sections skiable with most , if not all, broken out.
BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS- Snow depth at Lake Colden: 58"
- Snow depth at 4,000 feet 6-8 feet
- Hiking trail from Adirondak Loj now very skiable.
- Avalanche Pass also in good condition.
- Marcy and Wright Peak also finally now in good condition.
- All of the truck trail skis (Connery Pond, Hays Brook, Fish Pond, etc.) are of course now fully skiable
- Lake Colden and Avalanche Lake crossable, but inlets or outlets will still require attention.
- Whiteface Highway - Still being plowed
- Keene Valley/Garden Parking - Again skiable.
- Lake Road to Lower Ausable Lake: Now perfect conditions with no snowmobile traffic likely. A nice new skied in separate ski track for over a mile. If you like it, extend it.
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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) - 10-12" - Off track snow depth - 10-20"
Inches New Snow - 2
Surface Conditions - Packed powder
Km Open - 50
Km Tracked 50 - Remarks - Lake Placid Loppet on Saturday, so limited recreational skiing. Cascade the best bet that day. All open on Sunday and all next week.
- 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) - 4-6" - Off track snow depth - 6-10"
Inches New Snow - 2
Surface Conditions - Packed powder
Km Open - 20
Km Tracked - 15
Remarks - Best choice on Saturday, Loppet Day. Great choice any day. - Paul Smith's VIC: www.trailhub.org/trail/generatepdf?orgid=TXpFMA==&actid=TVRVPQ==
- 30 km of trails, open daily, rentals, 518-327-6241,
Base Depth (packed) - 15" - Off track snow depth: 25"
Inches New Snow: 5
Surface Conditions - Packed powder
Km Open - 30
Km Tracked -
- 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) - 8"
Inches New Snow - 2
Surface conditions - powder
Km Open -13 - Km Tracked
Remarks -
Tupper Lake free x-c ski trails
All trails open and groomed
http://www.skitupperlake.blogspot.com -