We've been in denial here at the BETA office since temperatures started spiking on Saturday, but eventually had to accept the reality of the weather situation. The warm temperatures and sunshine of the past 5 days have drastically consolidated the deep snowpack of last week, leaving behind a mixed bag of skiing conditions on trails throughout the region.
As of this morning good snow cover can still be found on most sections of the Jackrabbit Trail and other trails in the Jackrabbit corridor, through skiers should expect to encounter hard-packed, wet ski tracks and bare spots in some areas. Drainages are melting out quickly. Caution is needed on steep downhills and all bridges, which may have thin and/or icy cover. Untracked snow on the sides of trails and off-trail is heavy and difficult to navigate.
In the High Peaks good snow cover can still be found on the trails used frequently by skiers. Marcy, Avalanche Pass, Wright Peak, Mr. Van, Lake Arnold trails and the Truck Trail from South Meadow are still being skied as of yesterday, and will likely be good today (Thursday) as well.
USE CAUTION on all ice crossings. As of Wednesday the ice on Avalanche Lake was still stable but the surface was slushy with standing water. It will only get worse today.
Unfortunately ski conditions are going to get much worse before they get better. National Weather Service is forecasting rain/freezing rain for Friday morning with temps in 40s, changing to rain after 1pm. Temps will remain in the 40s Friday night and rain will continue, heavy at times, through Saturday, when it will warm up to the mid-50s. Temps will dip into the 20s Saturday night which may produce a little snowfall. Sunday is clear and sunny with temps in the 30s.
The Lake Placid Nordic Festival and Loppet have been postponed to March 18 due to the weather. World Snowshoe Championships are still a go for this weekend in Saranac Lake.
BETA's annual Ski Movie Fundraiser will be held this Saturday, February 25 at the Lake Placid Center for the Arts. Doors open at 6:30pm. Movie at 8:00pm. FREE for current BETA members. FREE for kids under 12. $15 for non-members (you can join/renew membership at the door).
As of this morning good snow cover can still be found on most sections of the Jackrabbit Trail and other trails in the Jackrabbit corridor, through skiers should expect to encounter hard-packed, wet ski tracks and bare spots in some areas. Drainages are melting out quickly. Caution is needed on steep downhills and all bridges, which may have thin and/or icy cover. Untracked snow on the sides of trails and off-trail is heavy and difficult to navigate.
In the High Peaks good snow cover can still be found on the trails used frequently by skiers. Marcy, Avalanche Pass, Wright Peak, Mr. Van, Lake Arnold trails and the Truck Trail from South Meadow are still being skied as of yesterday, and will likely be good today (Thursday) as well.
USE CAUTION on all ice crossings. As of Wednesday the ice on Avalanche Lake was still stable but the surface was slushy with standing water. It will only get worse today.
Unfortunately ski conditions are going to get much worse before they get better. National Weather Service is forecasting rain/freezing rain for Friday morning with temps in 40s, changing to rain after 1pm. Temps will remain in the 40s Friday night and rain will continue, heavy at times, through Saturday, when it will warm up to the mid-50s. Temps will dip into the 20s Saturday night which may produce a little snowfall. Sunday is clear and sunny with temps in the 30s.
The Lake Placid Nordic Festival and Loppet have been postponed to March 18 due to the weather. World Snowshoe Championships are still a go for this weekend in Saranac Lake.
BETA's annual Ski Movie Fundraiser will be held this Saturday, February 25 at the Lake Placid Center for the Arts. Doors open at 6:30pm. Movie at 8:00pm. FREE for current BETA members. FREE for kids under 12. $15 for non-members (you can join/renew membership at the door).
BETA President Bill Frazer enjoying "spring in February" - Avalanche Lake, Feb 23, 2017
RSS Feed
