Conditions 3/5/2015

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS 

• • Although the forecast for Tuesday night and Wednesday called for 3-5", we only received an inch plus a very small amount of freezing rain.  Temperatures Wednesday were a bit above freezing, so unbroken areas now have a light crust and broken areas are a bit faster, but still a long way from what would be called "icy."  Furthermore, we should pick up another inch or so of snow before the weekend, and that will further mitigate any slickness in the surface conditions.  Cold temps have returned Thursday and will continue through Friday, but the weekend will be warmer with 20s on Saturday and near 30 on Sunday.  An contrary to the recent pattern, the warming will continue next week with temperatures reaching the 40s on Wednesday.  
  • Next update on Monday or Tuesday, 3/9 or 3/10, when we know if this warming trend will continue.
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  • JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:
•              Base Depth - 12-16" 
               Surface Conditions - Powder 
               Km Open - 50 km
•                        Remarks - Entire trail broken out with good ski tracks on most sections. 
  
  
  BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
                Snow Depth at Lake Colden: 42"
                Snow Depth at 4,000 feet:  5-6'  
                Surface Conditions: Powder 
            Meadow Lane now closed for the winter.  Adds nearly a mile each way on the Marcy Dam Truck Trail.  Skis or snowshoes required in the High Peaks, needed elsewhere.  The deep snow plus some significant wind loading means that no slide can be considered safe for skiing unless carefully analyzed.
• • Good skiing right from the Loj and through to Lake Colden. 
  • Wright Peak and Marcy good skiing from top to bottom, although there are still a few rocks to dodge in the first mile above Marcy Dam on the Marcy trail.  
    
  • The Calamity Brook Trail fully skiable.  Opalescent River now frozen at Flowed Lands and crossable.  
  • Road to Newcomb Lake and Moose Pond good skiing with now nearly 4' of cover.  
  • Fish Pond, Raquette Falls, and Hays Brook truck trails skiable. 
  • Connery Pond to Whiteface Landing skiable. 
  • Lake Colden and  Avalanche Lake crossable.  Other lakes also safe to cross.
  • Whiteface Highway skiable from the Toll House.  Still be prepared for the cold Thursday and Friday as the highway exposed to any wind that might be blowing.
  • Keene Valley/Garden Parking to JBL is skiable with caution.  It is still likely to be a bit rough for skiing because the snow is so light.  Despite numerous additions of additional light snow, some  rocks are still "disguised but not covered".
  • Lake Road to Lower Ausable Lake packed by snowmobiles and skiable.
  • BREAKING NEWS:  A comment on Friday's update indicates that a nice ski loop in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area has been broken out.  Long Swing Trail to Pharaoh Lake to Putnam Pond.  Thanks for all the hard work.  
  • ADDITIONAL BREAKING NEWS: The Bog River ski trail loop from the trailhead closest to Rt. 30 has also been broken out.
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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) -  17" 
    •               Off track snow depth - 34"
                    Inches New Snow - 1
                    Surface Conditions - Powder
                    Km Open - 50
                    Km Tracked - 50
    •               Remarks -  
    •      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) -   16" 
    •               Off track snow depth - 30"
                    Inches New Snow - 1
                    Surface Conditions -  Powder 
                    Km Open -20
                    Km Tracked - 15
                    Remarks -   Final Full Moon Party this Saturday, 3/7. Starts at 8 PM with skiing to bonfires for hot dogs and drinks followed by a band in the lodge.
    
    
    •          Whiteface Club Nordic Center:
    •     10 km of trails, open Wed-Sun. Rentals, 518-523-2551,
    • www.whitefaceclubresort.com
    •  Base Depth (packed) - 
                    Inches New Snow - 1
    •               Surface Conditions -  Powder 
                    Km Open -  10
                    Km Tracked - 10
                    Remarks -
    •              
               Paul Smith's VIC:
               20 km of trails, open daily, rentals, 518-327-6241, www.adirondackvic.org
                           Base Depth (packed) - 10"
                           Off track snow depth:  20"
                            Inches New Snow - 1
                           Surface Conditions - Powder
                           Km Open - 20
                           Km Tracked - 10
                           Remarks - All trails open and packed.   
                   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) - 8-10"
                            Inches New Snow - 1
                            Surface conditions - Powder 
                            Km Open -13
                            Km Tracked - 8
                            Remarks -  Good skiing with track set on the lower trails.  Upper trails open but still with some thin spots.
    
                     Tupper Lake free x-c ski trails
                 10 km of groomed trails starting from Tupper Lake Golf Course 
                 http://www.skitupperlake.blogspot.com
    All trails groomed with track set -the good conditions continue.