Conditions 3/18/13

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS:  Winter is back!  A series of snow squalls and flurries on Friday and Friday night produced 2-4" in the Lake Placid area, but the big news is the new storm that is likely to produce 10-12 inches by Wednesday morning. The snow may be on the heavy side, but it appears we'll miss any of the really heavy snow, sleet, or rain that areas to the south will get.

Next update Wednesday, 3/20, unless there is a dramatic change in the forecast for this storm.

**"Spring surfaces" means hard when below freezing, soft corn snow when above.

JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:

•               Base Depth - 2-12 inches

              Surface Conditions - powder          
              Km Open - 25

        Remarks - The new snow should bring the whole trail back to skiable condition.

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
              Snow Depth at Lake Colden: 33" 
              Snow Depth at 4,000 feet: 4 feet 
              Surface Conditions:  powder
              Remarks:  New snow will change everything and make for difficult trail breaking.  Brooks that went out in last weeks thaw (e.g. Marcy Brook at Indian Falls) may remain difficult to cross.

Skis and snowshoes still required in the High Peaks Wilderness Area and needed elsewhere.   

• • Meadow Lane has been blocked off for the winter, adding 3/4 mile to approach of Marcy Dam.
  • Lake ice again solid after the cold weather since Thursday.
  • All other popular tours (Connery Pond, Hays Brook, Raquette Falls, Fish Pond, Newcomb Lake, Moose Pond, Ausable Lake Road, Whiteface Highway) still have cover.   
  __________________________________________________________________
  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 -  6" (packed)
                Inches New Snow - 2
                Surface Conditions - powder
                Km Open - 45
                Km Tracked -  40
•               Remarks - Closed Monday and Tuesday this week and next, but will reopen for at least two more weekends.
• 
       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 -  6" (packed)   
                Inches New Snow - 3
                Surface Conditions -  powder
                Km Open - 15
                Km Tracked - 10
                Remarks -  
  
           Whiteface Club Nordic Center:
•     10 km of trails, open Wed-Sun.  rentals, 518-523-2551,
• www.whitefaceclubresort.com
                Base Depth -    
                Inches New Snow - 
•               Surface Conditions -   
                Km Open -  
                Km Tracked - 
                Remarks - Closed for the season

           Paul Smith's VIC:
           15 km of trails, open daily, rentals, 518-327-6241, www.adirondackvic.org
                       Base Depth - 2-8" (packed)
                        Inches New Snow -  
                       Surface Conditions - spring surfaces
                       Km Open - 15
                       Km Tracked - 
                       Remarks - 10-15" inches off trail depth 

               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 - frozen granular
                        Km Open -  7
                        Km Tracked -
                        Remarks -  Lower trails crusty but open

                 Tupper Lake free x-c ski trails
             10 km of groomed trails starting from Tupper Lake Golf Course 
             http://www.skitupperlake.blogspot.com