Temperatures did warm up finally this past week, but there is still plenty of snow - both to ski on and the require the use of skis or snowshoes on almost any backcountry trail. The threat of rain has been repeatedly put back, but we're finally getting some rain on Thursday evening. Continued warm on Friday, but Saturday will be the beginning of a bit of a cooling trend that will last into next week. Daytime highs only in the 30s and below freezing at night.
3/26 intro:
After another great weekend of skiing with cooler than normal temperatures, we're expecting warmer conditions this week with rain likely on Tuesday and Wednesday and temperatures in the low 50s. (Hey, it's late March, so what do you expect.) A bit cooler with less chance of rain later in the week. Given the base that has built up in the past few weeks, the skiing will still be good this weekend. It will, however, be full "spring conditions" - i.e. hard and fast in the morning grading to soft in the afternoon except on the well-shaded northern exposures.
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.
FOR THOSE LOOKING TO CLIMB ANY OF THE HIGH PEAKS IN APRIL, SKIS OR SNOWSHOES WILL BE REQUIRED UNTIL PROBABLY THE END OF THE MONTH AS THE 5-6 FEET OF SNOW THERE ISN'T GOING TO MELT ANYTIME SOON!
Next update Thursday or Friday when we have a better idea of the weekend weather and which ski areas will be closing after the weekend.
JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS
- Surface Conditions: Spring surfaces.
- Km Open - 50
- Remarks - All sections skiable. Longer stretches in the woods will survive through the week. Open areas may not.
BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS- Snow depth at Lake Colden: 45"
- Snow depth at 4,000 feet 5-6 feet
- Hiking trail from Adirondak Loj skiable but hard packed.
- Avalanche Pass 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 but going fast on the south-facing slopes.
- Lake Road to Lower Ausable Lake: Snowmobile traffic has resumed - at least briefly. Road plowed for about 100 yards past the gate, then perfect 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 (packed) - 6-10" - Off track snow depth - 8-16"
Inches New Snow -
Surface Conditions - Groomed spring surfaces
Km Open - 50
Km Tracked 50 - Remarks - No word on the Van Ho conditions page on when they will close. Could still be after this weekend.
- 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) - 3-5" - Off track snow depth - 5-8"
Inches New Snow -
Surface Conditions - Spring surfaces
Km Open - 20
Km Tracked - 15
Remarks - Closed after this weekend - 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) - 12" - Off track snow depth: 18"
Inches New Snow:
Surface Conditions - Spring surfaces
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) - 5"
Inches New Snow -
Surface conditions - Spring surfaces
Km Open -13 - Km Tracked
Remarks -
Tupper Lake free x-c ski trails
All trails open and groomed
http://www.skitupperlake.blogspot.com