We cannot recommend skiing on any backcountry trails this weekend. In general, the ski trails outside of the High Peaks Wilderness are partially melted out, with a mix of slushy granular snow, hard water ice and bare ground, exposed rocks and roots, open drainages with fast moving run-off, and very challenging skiing conditions where the snow does remain. Golf course crossings along the Jackrabbit Ski Trail have very little cover. Additionally, we urge skiers and snowshoers to avoid all ice crossings at this time.
The only section of the Jackrabbit Trail that has mostly survived the meltdown is from Whiteface Inn Rd to the top of McKenzie Pass. Still good cover on this stretch but skiers attempting it this weekend should be prepared to encounter melted drainages and hard ice on some downhills. We do not recommend skiing through to McKenzie Pond Rd. The rest of the trail has little snow cover remaining. The Old Mountain Rd section still has snow on the Lake Placid end, but the beaver dam ponds can no longer be crossed safely, making it necessary to scramble around the ponds through the scree.
Below are some photos taken today, February 25, around 12pm.