The Whiteface Highway has 3" at the Toll House with more as one moves up. So pretty much the best skiing so far this season on that early season favorite. Also, Paul Smiths VIC reports 5" of snow. No base, but their smoother trails have been rolled. This would also make the adjacent Hayes Brook Truck Trail a possibility, but bear in mind that there is no base, so walking down to Hayes Brook on the return would probably be the more prudent choice. Otherwise, no report on the Fish Pond Truck Trail, but it is a possibility as well. Finally, lots of lake effect snow starting west of Tupper Lake so anything in Tug Hill would be skiable as would the smooth trails leading along the Oswegatchie from Wanakena. The automated weather station in the Huntington Forest in Newcomb does not indicate enough snow there just yet. But there are chances for at least flurries each day through Wednesday with some good, cold temperatures that will get the lake ice thickening and freeze up some of the little trickles that plague us in warmer years.
Over the last 5 days we've seen warm temps and then heavy rain on Tuesday obliterate the minimal snow we had, but it started snowing again last night and continued into Thursday morning. We picked up about 2-3" of new snow but that mostly fell on bare ground so its going to take a bit more to make skiing worthwhile on the usual early season spots. Though we haven't set eyes on the Whiteface Toll Road yet today, its likely skiable but use caution as you're going to encounter barely covered pavement in spots. Local golf courses are probably okay as well, and Mt. Van Hoevenberg continues to keep open a short loop near the stadium with the help of their Snow Factory equipment.
Patience is the name of the game today. According to the National Weather Service, "lake effect snow will continue across southern Saint Lawrence and Franklin counties of New York through tonight. Plan on slippery road conditions. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 6 inches, with localized amounts of 8 to 12 inches, are expected mainly south and east of Highway 11 and in areas along Route 3."
In the Lake Placid - Saranac Lake region we could see as much as 4-6" of accumulation by Friday morning, with significantly more snow falling in the Cranberry Lake area and points west. Sunny on Saturday with temps in the low 30s.
We'll post another update on Friday morning.