Ski Trail Conditions
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UPDATE. THURSDAY, 2/22.
DEC'S Thursday report says 33" of snow at Lake Colden with 8" at Marcy Dam. The report also confirms the good skiing on Avalanche Pass. Just be aware that surface conditions on Saturday, after the thaw/freeze cycle, may not be so ideal. Better perhaps to wait until it warms up again. Also, note the comment that Dewey Mountain also has good skiing now. First of all, thanks for all the helpful comments on the previous report. They certainly helped to let skiers know what the conditions were like with the new snow. As for the trip to Minneapolis, we watched Jessie Diggins take a third and a fourth, but the big news was Gus Schumacher winning the 10 km race on Sunday. This made him the first American male to win a World Cup distance race since Bill Koch in 1983! And with 20,000 fans showing up each day, X-C skiing is very much alive in the State of Minnesota - even if they have less snow that the Adirondacks this year. As for the local ski conditions, it appears that any rain will hold off until late on Thursday, so get out and ski. Friday will see rain, followed by a very cold Saturday = icy surfaces. Sunday will be warmer, but no real new snow in sight. The best skiing is at the VIC as they have picked up several inches of new snow, and mostly never lost their base. The nearby Hays Brook Truck Trail will also be good skiing; and to answer one question in the comments, the Hays Brook parking has been regularly plowed this year. Otherwise, Mt. Van hoevenberg reports 40 km open, but very thin cover on the Legacy Trails. Cascade Welcome Center is open north of the brook, but similarly thin cover. Craig Wood reports enough snow to groom, but notes an icy base underneath. In the backcountry, Avalanche Pass is good with the truck trail the best approach to Marcy Dam. Boreas is also good and has been broken out, but plowed parking is limited. Newcomb Lake Road is also good. Also nice to receive a positive report on Raquette Falls - good until the last steep, south-facing downhill. Ski it while you can!
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Predictions early in the week were for nothing more that snow showers on Friday and Saturday. Now, we have a "Winter Weather Advisory" for the High Peaks and Tri-Lakes, but as of this evening only 1-3" is forecast for Lake Placid. This is clearly a rapidly changing forecast with much greater amounts predicted for areas west of here. So what actually happens in anyone's guess.
Unfortunately, your usual reporter will be away this weekend in Minneapolis to watch the World Cup X-C races. While that seems to be a "legitimate" excuse to be gone at this time of the ski season, I didn't believe any substitute reporter was needed until this most recent forecast. What can be said is that conditions will improve for the weekend on any trail that still managed to hold onto a base. Tuesday night saw an unexpected 1-2", and another 1-3" on Friday will further improve conditions. On the Jackrabbit Trail, both the Keene side of the Old Mountain Road section and the Lake Placid side of the McKenzie Pass section retained a base and will be great skiing by Saturday. The Marcy Dam Truck Trail will be improved, but not that good. Boreas and Newcomb will be great with just the little new snow. Otherwise, check the links on the groomed centers for the latest on their reports; and feel free to comment on whatever you find when you ski this weekend. UPDATE 2/11/24: As feared, the very warm temperatures on Friday and Saturday have resulted in serious deterioration of lower-elevation trails. Cascade Welcome Center is closed, Mt. Van Hoevenberg is back to just the man-made snow on the competition loops, and the report from the Paul Smith's VIC doesn't sound much better. And based on a quick inspection between competitions at the ski jumps on Saturday, the comment below about the Marcy Dam Truck Trail is accurate. Still skiable snow above 2,500-2,800 feet, but that's about it.
Temperatures will remain below freezing for the coming week, but so far it appears that the coastal storm will remain "coastal". The Catskills and the Berkshires will be about as far north as any significant snow will fall. So, back again to Microspikes. INTRODUCTION Again, no significant new snow this past week, some warm temperatures for the weekend, and unfortunately not much chance of any significant new snow next week. Somehow, we still have cover on most trails, and the warm conditions will make some of the steeper terrain more skiable over the weekend - at least until it cools down a bit next week. JACKRABBIT TRAIL All sections remain covered, and the warmer weather will make all sections skiable, but with just a bit of attention required to avoid the exposed rocks that will, or have already melted out with the warm sun . Also, a reminder of the logging ongoing between White Pine Camp and Jones Pond roads on the Paul Smiths section. GROOMED CENTERS ADK CASCADE WELCOME CENTER (PREVIOUSLY: CASCADE CROSS-COUNTRY SKI CENTER) https://adk.org/cascade-welcome-center/ 518-837-5047 Km Open and Groomed: 12 Track Set: Where possible New snow: Packed Base Depth: 2-4" Off Track:5" New Snow last 72 hours: Surface Conditions: Groomed granular on hardpack Remarks: All trails north of the brook are open. Fischer light backcountry waxable skis on sale for $50.00 Remember that Cascade is now owned by the Adirondack Mt. Club. Ski shop open as usual, and ADK members ski free. SCOTTS COBBLE NORDIC CENTER - NEW 10 km of groomed trails on Craig Wood Golf Course - rentals, lessons operated by High Peaks Cyclery. Trail fee of $15/day - $10/half-day. Residents of the Tri-Lakes area ski for free (Donations appreciated) scottscobblenordic.com. 518-523-9811 or 518-523-3742 KM Open and Groomed: 10? Track Set: ? New snow: Packed Base Depth: 2-3" Off track: 4" New snow past 72 hours: Surface conditions: Groomed granular on hardpack Remarks: No current report on their website, but there is evidence of grooming with continuous cover. MOUNT VAN HOEVENBERG: https://mtvanhoevenberg.com/daily-update/ 518-523-2811 Km Open and Groomed: 40 Track Set: 5 km New snow: Packed Base Depth: 15" on manmade snow, 2-4" on Legacy trails Off track: 5" New snow past 72 hours: Surface Conditions: Groomed granular Remarks: Legacy trails on X-C side open, including Porter, but set track only on the competition trails. PAUL SMITH'S VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER: https://www.paulsmithsvic.org/trailconditions/ 518-327-6241 Km Groomed and Open: 25 Track Set: Where possible New Snow: Packed Base Depth: 5-6" Off track: 6-8" New snow past 72 hours: Surface Conditions: Groomed granular Remarks: Most trails reported as open. Esker Loop still has a caution symbol. DEWEY MOUNTAIN: https://www.facebook.com/deweymountainrecreationcenter 518-891-2697 Km Open: 5 Track set: 5 New Snow: Packed Base Depth: 2-3" Off Track: 3-4" New snow past 72 hours: Surface Conditions: Groomed granular Remarks: Lower trails have cover, and are skiable with set track. Upper trails now reported as closed . TUPPER LAKE X-C SKI TRAILS https://www.facebook.com/Tupper-Lake-Groomed-XC-Trails-102907273119538/ 518-359-8370 Km Open: 10 Track set: no mentiion New Snow: ? Base Depth: 5" Off track: 6-8" New snow past 72 hours: ? Surface Conditions: Granular Remarks: The system has been groomed, but no recent grooming due to warm conditions. Free Maxiglide in the sign-in booth. BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS: Generally only the gentler terrain can be recommended due to lack of good cover, but the softer surface conditions this weekend will make more terrain somewhat user-friendly. Those with AT gear or sturdy skis with metal edges my find some of the steeper terrain worth skiing. Snow depth at Lake Colden: 26" as of DEC's Thursday, 2/8 report. (same as last week despite warm temperatures.) Skis or snowshoes are required by regulation in the High Peaks when the snow depth is 8" or above. Not now required at most trailheads, but skis or snowshoes required for those venturing to higher terrain. All storms to date have been definitely elevation-dependent, so expect much greater snow depth above 3,000 feet. And above 4,000 feet expect 5-6' since the earlier snow did not melt at that elevation. WRIGHT PEAK SKI TRAIL: No report, but still not likely skiable until above the hiking trail portion. MARCY TRAIL: Skiable cover above 50-meter bridge, but so far no reports of anyone actually skiing Marcy. WHITEFACE HIGHWAY: No real change: Skiable starting at the Toll House. Some windblown sections on the usual turns. MARCY DAM TRUCK TRAIL: Skiable to Marcy Dam, but there are still be a few rocks that are not fully covered. HIKING TRAIL FROM ADK LOJ: Not skiable. AVALANCHE PASS: Now skiable. Some rocks still to dodge between Marcy Dam and Avalanche Camp. Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden now being crossed. On Avalanche Lake be aware of possible thin ice at the outlet. If in doubt, go to the right shore a few yards before the outlet and use the foot bridge to cross. CONNERY POND TO WHITEFACE LANDING: Skiable. Outlet to the pond is still not fully frozen, but some have found a way to cross the pond rather than skiing the bypass around the private land. Report of some recent snowmobile traffic due to the need to respond to an incident. HAYS BROOK TRUCK TRAIL: Parking lot is plowed. Some trees down from an earlier windstorm, but not a real problem., Otherwise good skiing, without any problem on the few steeper pitches due to the warmer conditions. FISH POND TRUCK TRAIL: Skiable cover to Fish Pond, and now good skiing with the warmer surfaces. Ice on the lakes is good with no slush under the snow. RAQUETTE FALLS: No current report, but likely still skiable with caution. Now possible to drive beyond the end of the town road but no report on the parking at the actual trailhead. . GULF BROOK ROAD TO BOREAS PONDS: Good cover to the ponds, although the steeper hills on the return to the trailhead will require caution if the surfaces are firm and fast. Some spots plowed for parking as of 2/5. Please register if you ski there to help justify continued plowing. NEWCOMB LAKE ROAD TO CAMP SANTANONI: As usual, likely the best choice with these otherwise marginal conditions. Some improvements reportedly made with a snowmobile and drag. AUSABLE LAKE ROAD: Skiable cover, but snowmobile tracks by Ausable Club workers will make it quite hard and fast. INTRODUCTION
No significant new snow this past week, and unfortunately not much chance of any significant new snow next week.The only "bright" spot is that we'll finally see some sun starting on Saturday. Temperatures will cool to seasonal norms Monday and Tuesday, but again warm to the low 30s by the middle of the week. In the absence of much new snow, Mt. Van Hoevenberg is the only center reporting any set track, and that is only on the competition trails. Paul Smiths is also able to groom most of their system, but no report as of Friday of any set track. In the backcountry and on the Jackrabbit Trail, only the gentler terrain can be recommended. JACKRABBIT TRAIL All sections remain covered, but most sections have surfaces that are still frozen and fast with only perhaps a dusting of new snow. The exception is the McKenzie Pass section above Whiteface Inn Lane where 1-1/2 - 2" of new snow has made that skiable with just a bit of attention required to avoid the still-exposed rocks. Also, a reminder of the logging ongoing between White Pine Camp and Jones Pond roads on the Paul Smiths section. GROOMED CENTERS ADK CASCADE WELCOME CENTER (PREVIOUSLY: CASCADE CROSS-COUNTRY SKI CENTER) https://adk.org/cascade-welcome-center/ 518-837-5047 Km Open and Groomed: 12 Track Set: ? New snow: Dusting Packed Base Depth: 3" Off Track:5" New Snow last 72 hours: Dusting Surface Conditions: Groomed granular Remarks: All trails north of the brook are open. Fischer light backcountry waxable skis on sale for $50.00 Remember that Cascade is now owned by the Adirondack Mt. Club. Ski shop open as usual, and ADK members ski free. SCOTTS COBBLE NORDIC CENTER - NEW 10 km of groomed trails on Craig Wood Golf Course - rentals, lessons operated by High Peaks Cyclery. Trail fee of $15/day - $10/half-day. Residents of the Tri-Lakes area ski for free (Donations appreciated) scottscobblenordic.com. 518-523-9811 or 518-523-3742 KM Open and Groomed: ? Track Set: ? New snow: Dusting Packed Base Depth: 2-3" Off track: 4" New snow past 72 hours: Dusting Surface conditions: Groomed granular Remarks: No current report on their website, but there is evidence of grooming with continuous cover. MOUNT VAN HOEVENBERG: https://mtvanhoevenberg.com/daily-update/ 518-523-2811 Km Open and Groomed: 42 Track Set: 5 km New snow: Dusting Packed Base Depth: 15" on manmade snow, 2-3" on Legacy trails Off track: 5" New snow past 72 hours: Dusting Surface Conditions: Groomed granular Remarks: Legacy trails on X-C side open, including Porter, but set track only on the competition trails. Empire State Games races this weekend will result in some temporary trail closures. PAUL SMITH'S VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER: https://www.paulsmithsvic.org/trailconditions/ 518-327-6241 Km Groomed and Open: 25 Track Set: ? New Snow: Dusting Packed Base Depth: 5-6" Off track: 6-8" New snow past 72 hours: Dusting Surface Conditions: Groomed granular Remarks: Most trails reported as open. Esker Loop still has a caution symbol. DEWEY MOUNTAIN: https://www.facebook.com/deweymountainrecreationcenter 518-891-2697 Km Open: 5 Track set: ? New Snow: Dusting Packed Base Depth: 2-3" Off Track: 3-4" New snow past 72 hours: Dusting Surface Conditions: Groomed granular Remarks: Lower trails have cover, and are skiable. Upper trails ungroomed. . TUPPER LAKE X-C SKI TRAILS https://www.facebook.com/Tupper-Lake-Groomed-XC-Trails-102907273119538/ 518-359-8370 Km Open: 10 Track set: no mentiion New Snow: ? Base Depth: 5" Off track: 6-8" New snow past 72 hours: ? Surface Conditions: Granular Remarks: The system has been groomed, but no recent grooming due to warm conditions. Free Maxiglide in the sign-in booth. BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS: Generally only the gentler terrain can be recommended due to the firm surface conditions. Those with AT gear or sturdy skis with metal edges my find some of the steeper terrain worth skiing. Snow depth at Lake Colden: 26" as of DEC's Thursday, 2/1 report. Skis or snowshoes are required by regulation in the High Peaks when the snow depth is 8" or above. Not now required at trailheads, but skis or snowshoes now required for those venturing to higher terrain. All storms to date have been definitely elevation-dependent, so expect much greater snow depth above 3,000 feet. And above 4,000 feet expect 5-6' since the earlier snow did not melt at that elevation. WRIGHT PEAK SKI TRAIL: No report, but still not likely skiable until above the hiking trail portion. MARCY TRAIL: Now reported as thin until just above 50-meter bridge. Skiable cover from there to Indian Falls and beyond. WHITEFACE HIGHWAY: Skiable starting at the Toll House. Some windblown sections on the usual turns. MARCY DAM TRUCK TRAIL: Skiable to Marcy Dam, but there may still be a few rocks that are not fully covered. HIKING TRAIL FROM ADK LOJ: Not skiable. AVALANCHE PASS: Now skiable. Some rocks still to dodge between Marcy Dam and Avalanche Camp. Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden now being crossed. On Avalanche Lake be aware of possible thin ice at the outlet. If in doubt, go to the right shore a few yards before the outlet and use the foot bridge to cross. CONNERY POND TO WHITEFACE LANDING: Skiable. Outlet to the pond is still not fully frozen, but some have found a way to cross the pond rather than skiing the bypass around the private land. Report of some recent snowmobile traffic due to the need to respond to an incident. HAYS BROOK TRUCK TRAIL: Parking lot is plowed. Some trees down from an earlier windstorm, but not a real problem, and otherwise good skiing, except for the few hundred yards steeper hills after crossing the Osgood River. FISH POND TRUCK TRAIL: Skiable cover to Fish Pond, but the major hill two miles in from the register will require great caution. No current report on the lakes, but the ice is good as long as there is no slush underneath the snow. RAQUETTE FALLS: Skiable with caution. No plowing beyond the end of the town road. This adds about a mile each way to the ski. GULF BROOK ROAD TO BOREAS PONDS: Good cover to the ponds, although the steeper hills on the return to the trailhead will require caution. Some spots plowed for parking as of 1/31. Please register if you ski there to help justify continued plowing. NEWCOMB LAKE ROAD TO CAMP SANTANONI: As usual, likely the best choice with these otherwise marginal conditions. Some improvements reportedly made with a snowmobile and drag. AUSABLE LAKE ROAD: Skiable cover, but snowmobile tracks by Ausable Club workers will make it quite hard and fast. |
Trail Conditions 101Trail 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. Archives
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