February 22nd, 2014

• INTRODUCTORY REMARKS 
• In a word, "variable".  Yesterday's rain and warm temperatures did not due too much damage to the snowpack overall, but many places with poor drainage have either turned to slush or have a layer of slush underneath.  As predicted, the best skiing this weekend will be at the groomed centers. Today, Saturday, will be sunny and warm, but it will cool off Sunday and remain a bit colder than normal for he rest of the coming week.  This cold will freeze up the slush, and the various snow showers predicted Sunday and Monday may put a nice surface on the now firm base.  

JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:

•               Base Depth - 8-12""
•               Surface Conditions -  wet powder       

                       Km Open - 50

               Remarks -  All sections skiable and all sections broken out.

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
              Snow Depth at Lake Colden: 30" 
              Snow Depth at 4,000 feet:  5-6' 
              Surface Conditions: Wet powder 
              Remarks:    Snow at the stake at Lake Colden has settled back from its earlier depth, but coverage on the trails is still good.  Skis or snowshoes now required for all travel in the High Peaks and definitely needed everywhere else.  Slides are definitely very dangerous as the snow of two weeks ago fell on ice or smooth crust; and last week's snow just added more weight to an already unstable situation.  Ice on Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden definitely crossable, and the firm wind-packed powder meant no slush problems there - at least before this rain. 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 are in good shape.  Unbridged streams have refrozen, including the Opalescent River in Flowed Lands. 

                    Otherwise, all popular backcountry routes (Newcomb Lake, Hays Brook, Fish Pond, Raquette Falls, Ausable Lake Rd., Whiteface Landing) are skiable. Given that these are roads with reasonably good to excellent drainage, they are the best bet for this weekend outside of the groomed centers.  

• Meadow Lane now closed for the winter.  Adds nearly a mile each way on the Marcy Dam Truck Trail.
  

•  Fish Pond Truck Trail: Blowdowns have been cleared. Slush conditions on the lakes and ponds.
  
• Whiteface Highway:  The wind picked up after the last storm, so there may be  some areas blown clear - otherwise good cover and likely not any slush.
  
• Marcy trail may still be a bit rough between Marcy Dam and the Phelps Mt. trail junction, but good cover above there.  Downed trees below Indian Falls have now been cleared.  Thanks to Ron Konowitz 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 -  wet powder and packed powder
                  Km Open - 50
                  Km Tracked - 50
  •               Remarks -  Grooming in progrès and the new snow has stuck to the wet crust for reasonably good conditions
  • 
         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 - wet powder and packed powder
                  Km Open -15
                  Km Tracked - 10
                  Remarks -  Ski shop and restaurant open daily this week.
    
             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 - wet powder and packed 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) - 4-6"
                         Off track snow depth:  14"
                          Inches New Snow -  1
                         Surface Conditions - wet powder 
                         Km Open - 20
                         Km Tracked - 5
                         Remarks -   All trails open
  
                 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 packed powder
                          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
                " of base and all trails are groomed.