A Vastly Improved Forecast

1/1/2022

UPDATE 1/3/22 (EVENING): Thanks for the comment that confirmed the suspicion that Avalanche Pass wasn't quite "ready for prime time". Also, a good report on Boreas Ponds - both ski conditions and parking. Last year, there was initially no plowing, but eventually the parking area was plowed.

Elevation didn't seem to be an important factor in total snowfall from this last storm. McKenzie Pass section of the Jackrabbit Trail is "bony" but skiable up from Whiteface Inn Lane. Descent to McKenzie Pond is "questionable" until we get a report from that side of the pass.

UPDATE 1/3/22: In the end, more like 3", maybe 4", in the Lake Placid area. Not as much as we had hoped, but enough to improve the skiing. In addition to the trails listed below, we can add that most sections of the Jackrabbit Trail are now skiable. Caution definitely advised as not all rocks are fully covered, and one may want to walk down particularly steep pitches such as Chimney Hill on the Old Mountain Road section. No update from Mt. Van Hoevenberg, by maybe some of the easier terrain on the "legacy" trails is now skiable. Cascade has been saying 3km open there, maybe more now.

As of Saturday morning, the National Weather Service has now predicted 4-6" of new snow for Sunday into Monday. Since the base has survived on all the popular early-season trails (Newcomb Lake, Boreas, Hays Brook, Fish Pond, Whiteface Highway, and Marcy Dam Truck Trail), this snow will make for a great start to 2022. There may even be enough to bring Avalanche Pass into good condition, but we won't report that with the confirmation of actually skiing it.

So far, only a slight turnout plowed at the Boreas trailhead, and it remains to be seen whether Hays Brook will again be plowed as it was last year. Stay tuned, and we should be able to have a complete report of possibilities for next weekend; but if it really snows 6", don't wait.

4 Comments

Trail Conditions 101

Trail condition reports are posted frequently during the ski season. The Adirondack backcountry can be a hard place to predict with weather and trail conditions that often change rapidly. We can't offer the same detailed descriptions of trail conditions as groomed nordic centers.

Always plan ahead for your outing, be prepared with proper clothing, equipment, maps and emergency supplies, and check local weather conditions as well before departing on your trip.

Maps - don't leave home without them!

For trails in the High Peaks Wilderness area, we recommend purchasing the High Peaks Adirondack Trail Map from the Adirondack Mountain Club.

For trails outside of the High Peaks area, we recommend purchasing the Lake Placid & Saranac Lake Winter Trails Map from Green Goat Maps, which covers the Jackrabbit Ski Trail and other adjacent ski touring opportunities.

willdabeast

1/2/2022 05:15:57 pm

Even after the new snow Avalanche Pass is still a no go. Truck trail was ok but still some hidden edge grabbers in there especially at the culvert crossings. Couldn't really "send it" on the downhills. Open water at the beaver dam crossing 1/4 mile from the register. Good to see several people out there today tho!

Tim

1/3/2022 10:15:40 am

Skied to Boreas Ponds Sunday 1/2. Trail was covered well and light snow was falling throughout the day. Beware the breakable crust on the downhills, especially on the way out. We were able to make it to the parking lot with AWD truck. So no other skiers or snowshoers on the trail.

Jim Reinhard

1/4/2022 06:29:09 pm

Connery to Whiteface Landing skied well. Inch or two powder on hardpack. Connery pond solid. Good rout around the up and down trail reroute.

Michael

1/6/2022 03:10:47 pm

McKenzie Pass section of Jackrabbit Trail skied fairly well this morning from Whiteface Inn Lane to the Haystack north trail cairn. The extra 1-2" of snow from overnight and this morning definitely helped. Still some grabbers on the way down towards the bottom. Coverage was notably better from the four corners to the Haystack north trail cairn. Have to think at least the initial portions of the descent to McKenzie Pond are in decent shape.

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