Conditions 3/19/13

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS:  Winter is back, but as of 10 AM on Tuesday the great "winter storm  warning" has only produced 3" of new, light snow.  Falling on top of the snow we already had means an improvement in conditions, but not the dramatic change we hoped for.  The storm may redevelop and produce more on Tuesday night, so stay tunes.  Meanwhile, a series of snow squalls and flurries on Friday and Friday night produced 2-4" in the Lake Placid area, and with this new snow we'll have good conditions for the week and for the coming weekend as temperatures will remain at or below freezing through the period.

JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:

•               Base Depth - 4-16 inches

              Surface Conditions - powder          
              Km Open - 50

        Remarks - The new snow has brought the whole trail back to skiable condition.

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
              Snow Depth at Lake Colden: 36" 
              Snow Depth at 4,000 feet: 4-1/2 - 5 feet 
              Surface Conditions:  powder
              Remarks:  New snow will potentially change everything and make for difficult trail breaking, but as of the time of this report it's just put a nice surface on trails that were already skiable.  Brooks that went out in last weeks thaw (e.g. Marcy Brook at Indian Falls) may remain difficult to cross.  Marcy trail remains rough for the 1.2 mi. above Marcy Dam, and the hiking trail part of Wright Peak is unskiable.  Hiking trail from ADK Loj not really recommended yet, but truck trail is in good shape. Calamity Brook approach is skiable, and tracks lead to the one good crossing of the Opalescent River in Flowed Lands.

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 with the exception of the south (outlet) end of Avalanche Lake that has weak ice into which a few have apparently fallen.  Use caution.
  • 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 -  Restaurant closed as of last weekend
  
           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.  No report since 3/16, but new snow will improve things. 

               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 good skiing with the new snow.  If we get more, upper trails could again be skiable

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

                       Still grooming for at least another week. All trail have a good base.