Conditions 3/6/2014

• INTRODUCTORY REMARKS 
• No significant new snow this week, but the 4-5" of light powder we picked up over the past weekend has improved the skiing considerably. Trails are still quite fast and popular routes have been skied off on the corners and steeper sections.  Overall, however, we're looking at good conditions that will continue through this weekend and into next week. Cold start to Thursday, but warming to the 30s Friday through Sunday.  Perhaps a little more snow Sunday night and maybe next Tuesday, but so far nothing that will really change things.  No return to really cold weather predicted for next week, but no thaw in sight either. 
• So get out there and make up for all the skiing missed in January.

JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:

•               Base Depth - 8-12""
•               Surface Conditions -  powder on frozen granular       

                       Km Open - 50

               Remarks -  All sections skiable, but care is still needed as all downhills are very fast. Descent to McKenzie Pond now definitely skiable with caution.  

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
              Snow Depth at Lake Colden: 34" 
              Snow Depth at 4,000 feet:  5-6' 
              Surface Conditions: Coverage is generally good, but there are still a few rocks showing on the popular routes.  Skis or snowshoes now required for all travel in the High Peaks and definitely needed everywhere else.   Ice on Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden definitely crossable, and the firm wind-packed powder means still no slush problems there. All other smaller bodies of water safe to cross,  just be very careful around inlets or outlets.   Both the Avalanche Pass and Calamity Brook approaches to Lake Colden now in good shape right from the trailhead, although still a few rocks on the steeper sections of the Calamity Brook Trail and between Avalanche Camp and Marcy Dam.  Otherwise faster than usual conditions.  Unbridged streams have refrozen, including the Opalescent River in Flowed Lands. 

                    Additionally, all popular backcountry routes (Newcomb Lake, Hays Brook, Fish Pond, Raquette Falls, Ausable Lake Rd., Whiteface Landing) have cover and are skiable. 

• Meadow Lane now closed for the winter.  Adds nearly a mile each way on the Marcy Dam Truck Trail.
  
• Marcy Dam Truck Trail in mid-winter condition, finally.  Old Marcy Dam Trail from the Loj skiable with caution. Hiking trail has several tricky spots on the hills close to Marcy Dam, so the truck trail is certainly the more skiable, if longer, option.

•  Fish Pond Truck Trail: Blowdowns have been cleared. Slush on the ponds should have frozen up again to make for good skiing there.
  
• Whiteface Highway:  Given the wind recently there may be  some areas blown clear - otherwise good cover.  
  
• Marcy trail still be a bit rough between Marcy Dam and the Phelps Mt. trail junction, but good cover above there with enough new snow to make skiing merely faster than usual.  Downed trees below Indian Falls have now been cleared.  Thanks to Ron Konowitz, Katie Tyler, and Colden Caretaker Sean Platt.  
  
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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) -  5" 
  •               Off track snow depth - 14"
                  Inches New Snow - 1
                  Surface Conditions -  packed powder 
                  Km Open - 50
                  Km Tracked - 50
  •               Remarks -   Good skiing on all trails.  US Collegiate Ski Association competition this week.  Some sections of trails will be briefly closed, but plenty of terrain will remain open.
  • 
         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) -   5" 
                  Inches New Snow - 1
                  Surface Conditions - packed powder and hardback
                  Km Open -15
                  Km Tracked - 10
                  Remarks -  Ski shop open daily.  Restaurant open Wed-Sun this week.  Wooden Ski Classic race on Saturday.
    
             Whiteface Club Nordic Center:
  •     10 km of trails, open Wed-Sun. Rentals, 518-523-2551,
  • www.whitefaceclubresort.com
                  Base Depth (packed) - 4"
                  Inches New Snow - 1
  •               Surface Conditions - packed powder   
                  Km Open -  10
                  Km Tracked - 10
                  Remarks - Will be open to the end of the month as long as there is snow.
  
             Paul Smith's VIC:
             20 km of trails, open daily, rentals, 518-327-6241, www.adirondackvic.org
                         Base Depth (packed) - 6-8"
                         Off track snow depth:  16"
                          Inches New Snow - 1
                         Surface Conditions - powder and groomed granular
                         Km Open - 20
                         Km Tracked - 8
                         Remarks -   All trails open and in good condition
  
                 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) - 3"
                          Inches New Snow - 1
                          Surface conditions - powder and hardpack
                          Km Open - 13
                          Km Tracked - Tracking as conditions permit
                          Remarks - Lower trails groomed for skating and are in good shape. 
  
                   Tupper Lake free x-c ski trails
               10 km of groomed trails starting from Tupper Lake Golf Course 
               http://www.skitupperlake.blogspot.com
                2-10" of base. All loops between Golf Course and the ski area groomed with track set.