INTRODUCTION

      Some additional dense precipitation last night and today that was more like snow than what had fallen before has brought some areas back to being more skiable.  Best bet is still the Newcomb LakeRoad to Camp Santanoni, but there are a few other possibilities.

      Temperatures will remain warmer than normal through Saturday, but not high enough to reduce what we have on the ground. Still, either ice skating or hiking may be the best choice for outdoor activities if you don't want to drive to Newcomb.  And be aware that many hiking trails are quite icy with traction aids (Microspikes or crampons) pretty much mandatory - especially given recent rain.

JACKRABBIT TRAIL
        Only the smoother sections were really skiable before the thaw, and those sections should again be skiable once we finally get a few inches of new snow.  Unfortunately, those few new inches haven't materialized. So, for now no section of the trails can be recommended as skiable.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKI CENTERS
          CASCADE X-C SKI CENTER:  
          Km Open and Groomed:  3  Km Track Set: 3
          New snow:  1".    Base Depth: 3"
          Surface Conditions:  Wet powder with icy spots
          Remarks:  Restaurant and ski shop open

          MOUNT VAN HOEVENBERG:
          Km Open and Groomed:  8    Km Track Set:  1
          New snow:  1".    Base Depth: 3" 
          Surface Conditions:  Wet powder with icy spots
          Remarks:  Just the flatter trails on the X-C side. 

           PAUL SMITHS VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
           Km Open and Groomed:  25  
           New Snow:   0".    Base Depth: 6"
           Surface Conditions:  Packed powder
           Remarks:  Cover has held reasonably well, but their web site does not recommend skiing .

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
            Snowshoes or skis are required in the High Peaks when there is 12" or more of snow on the ground.   There is still nearly 12" at Lake Colden and 2-3 feet at 4,000 feet. As noted above, traction required on most trails and summits.

WHITEFACE HIGHWAY:  Skiable all the way to the Castle, but there may be windblown stretches.

MARCY DAM TRUCK TRAIL:  Still some cover, but not really recommended for skiing. 

HIKING TRAIL FROM ADK LOJ:  Not yet skiable.

AVALANCHE PASS:  Not yet skiable past Marcy Dam.  Lake ice on Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden is being crossed. Be cautious around all inlets and outlets - especially the outlet to Avalanche Lake where the safest course is to exit on the western shore and cross the outlet on the bridge.

CONNERY POND TO WHITEFACE LANDING:  Not yet skiable

HAYS BROOK TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely still fully covered to both Grass Pond and the Sheep Meadow, and the mostly gentle grades mean that the skiing is not too fast when icy.  Some blowdown past the crossing of Hays Brook.  Two of the trees are a bit of an effort to get around, but they don't detract from the overall experience.  Use caution on the steep hill that descends to Hays Brook.

FISH POND TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely still fully covered from the parking area, and the gentle grades for the first two miles make that skiable even when firm.  A comment on an earlier report says that the big hill two miles in from the register is now at least "skiable", and that the downed trees that were a hazard have been cleared.

GULF BROOK ROAD TO BOREAS PONDS: 2" new snow on a 3" base. Parking area still hasn't been plowed as of 12/31, and parking on Blue Ridge Rd. is not ideal. Some culverts washed out in the Halloween storm, but they are crossable and will be more easily negotiated as we get more snow.

NEWCOMB LAKE ROAD TO CAMP SANTANONI: 2" new snow on a 6" base. Definitely still the best choice for this week. Trees downed by the icing of the past few days have been cleared as far as the Moose Pond junction. Moose Pond Trail also has good cover, but there is an undetermined amount of  uncleared blowdown.

AUSABLE LAKE ROAD:  Now can be recommended for skiing with 2-3" of new snow on a thin but firm base. 

BURN ROAD IN THE WHITNEY WILDERNESS AREA NEAR BIG TUPPER LAKE:  Skiable with an inch or so of new snow on a firm 2" base.

Temperatures remained just around freezing on Monday with a mixture of snow and freezing rain. In the end, about 1" of new, crunchy cover on a few inches of base in sheltered areas that didn't melt in the last thaw.  Cascade X-C Ski Center reports 3 km open and Mt. Van Hoevenberg reports 8 km of their flattest terrain open.  Paul Smiths VIC simply says the trails are not recommended for skiing. Continued warm through Saturday with temperatures near 40 both Friday and Saturday.  Finally cooling down on Sunday and Monday with a chance of snow then.  

Friday and Saturday could be good skiing in areas where there is still a base as the warmer temperatures will soften the surfaces.  That would include Gulf Brook Rd. to Boreas Ponds, Newcomb Lake Road to Camp Santanoni, and perhaps the Burn Road near Little Tupper Lake.  We will try to get some "eye-witness" reports on these areas to pass along.  Meanwhile, hope you were able to ski earlier, but for the moment it's just hiking and ice skating that can be recommended.  

Some "interesting" precipitation moving in tonight and into Monday.  A true "wintry mix" of snow, sleet, and freezing rain.  We could end up getting 3-4" of wet, heavy snow, which would get our base back to where it was.  However, we'll just have to wait until later tomorrow to know exactly what we got and where.  Monday doesn't seem like a day to be driving around checking the various ski trailheads, but we'll try on Tuesday so we can hopefully have a good report for the rest of the week and weekend.  Still no really cold weather in sight with daytime highs in the 30s through next Saturday. 

12/28/19 UPDATE
    Contrary to most predictions, temperatures soared to near 50 for most of the day with winds building during the afternoon and into the evening.  Temperatures finally dropped to near freezing by morning with even a tiny bit of snow falling in some areas.  However, much of what was reported below may not still hold.  We will get out and see what base is still left at the usual "snow belt" areas and could therefore be skiable with just a few inches of new snow.  And unfortunately, it doesn't look like much new snow in the forecasts.  
INTRODUCTION

      With Friday morning temperatures around 40 and a bit of rain falling, it's unfortunately not the Christmas Week we had hoped for.  And looking ahead there so far there isn't much hope of aquick recovery.  So, while the groomed centers are still able to offer some skiing, it's either ice skating or hiking for outdoor activities.  And be aware that many hiking trails are quite icy with traction aids (Microspikes or crampons) pretty much mandatory - especially after today's rain.

JACKRABBIT TRAIL
        Only the smoother sections were really skiable before the thaw, and those sections should again be skiable once we finally get a few inches of new snow as so far they have held onto some base..  For now, however, no section of the trails can be recommended as skiable.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKI CENTERS -Best bets for this week
          CASCADE X-C SKI CENTER:  
          Km Open and Groomed:  10   Km Track Set:  10
          New snow:  0".    Base Depth: 3"
          Surface Conditions:  Packed powder with icy spots
          Remarks:  Restaurant and ski shop open

          MOUNT VAN HOEVENBERG:
          Km Open and Groomed:  5    Km Track Set:  5
          New snow:  0".    Base Depth: 3" 
          Surface Conditions:  Packed Powder with icy spots
          Remarks:  Just the flatter trails on the X-C side. 

           PAUL SMITHS VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
           Km Open and Groomed:  25  
           New Snow:   0".    Base Depth: 6"
           Surface Conditions:  Packed powder
           Remarks:  Cover was holding well as of Tuesday morning, but not sure if today's online report has been updated.

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
            Snowshoes or skis are required in the High Peaks when there is 12" or more of snow on the ground.   There is now nearly 12" at Lake Colden and 2-3 feet at 4,000 feet. As noted above, traction required on most trails and summits.

WHITEFACE HIGHWAY:  Skiable all the way to the Castle, but there may be windblown stretches.

MARCY DAM TRUCK TRAIL:  Still some cover, but not really recommended for skiing. 

HIKING TRAIL FROM ADK LOJ:  Not yet skiable.

AVALANCHE PASS:  Not yet skiable past Marcy Dam.  Lake ice on Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden is being crossed. Be cautious around all inlets and outlets - especially the outlet to Avalanche Lake where the safest course is to exit on the western shore and cross the outlet on the bridge.

CONNERY POND TO WHITEFACE LANDING:  Not yet skiable

HAYS BROOK TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely still fully covered to both Grass Pond and the Sheep Meadow, and the mostly gentle grades mean that the skiing is not too fast when icy.  Some blowdown past the crossing of Hays Brook.  Two of the trees are a bit of an effort to get around, but they don't detract from the overall experience.  Use caution on the steep hill that descends to Hays Brook.

FISH POND TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely still fully covered from the parking area, and the gentle grades for the first two miles make that skiable even when firm.  The big hill two miles in from the register is not really recommended, especially because there is a report of some downed trees that require caution..

GULF BROOK ROAD TO BOREAS PONDS:  Still has good cover, but the final descent back to the parking lot will be fast if surfaces are firm. Parking area had yet to be plowed as of last week. Some culverts washed out in the Halloween storm, but they are crossable and will be more easily negotiated as we get more snow.

NEWCOMB LAKE ROAD TO CAMP SANTANONI:  Definitely still skiable and perhaps the best choice for this week.  Moose Pond Trail also has good cover, but there may be uncleared blowdown.

AUSABLE LAKE ROAD:  No longer recommended for skiing.  

WITH UPDATE TUESDAY EVENING 12/24
INTRODUCTION
       Temperatures near 50 on Monday and only slightly cooler today, Tuesday, have unfortunately reduced the amount of snow and skiable terrain. Furthermore, once the temperature has dropped  below freezing, surfaces are hard and icy- i.e. "Spring Conditions" without the base we would usually have built up by spring.  The rest of the week will see either normal or above normal temperatures with a mix of precipitation Friday and Saturday.  The exact ratio of snow, to sleet, to rain is hard to predict at the moment.  So look for an update at the end of the week, but in the meantime we hope you have a Merry Christmas.  So, for now it will be the groomed centers that can at least loosen the surface a bit that will be the best skiing.  

          For alternatives, there is nice skating on Lower Cascade Lake with several dozen out there this afternoon. Additionally, with proper traction aids (read Microspikes) the popular hiking trails will be easily ascended.
 
JACKRABBIT TRAIL
        Only the smoother sections were really skiable before the thaw, but those sections will again be good skiing with just a few inches of new snow as so far they have held onto some base..  Specifically, the Craig Wood to River Rd. and River Rd. to the Lake Placid Club can probably still be recommended, but better to wait until it gets a bit above freezing to soften the surface.  Old Mt. Rd. up from Keene to the top of the pass was definitely skiable with some care as not all the rocks are covered, but now it is not recommended due to a few more rocks showing and the firm surfaces. Lake Placid side of the Old Mt. Road has some rough going including wet areas. The Peninsula section is not really skiable as foot traffic plus the thaw has made several stretches quite icy. McKenzie section to the pond now not really recommended.  From Whiteface Inn Lane the first half-mile is rough, but after that it is good to the top of the pass - provided that warmer temperatures have softened the surface.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKI CENTERS -Best bets for this week
          CASCADE X-C SKI CENTER:  
          Km Open and Groomed:  10   Km Track Set:  10
          New snow:  0".    Base Depth: 4"
          Surface Conditions:  Packed powder with icy spots
          Remarks:  Restaurant and ski shop open

          MOUNT VAN HOEVENBERG:
          Km Open and Groomed:  30    Km Track Set:  20
          New snow:  0".    Base Depth: 4" 
          Surface Conditions:  Packed Powder with icy spots
          Remarks:  Most of the Biathlon side and some on the X-C side, but not Porter Mt.

           PAUL SMITHS VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
           Km Open and Groomed:  25  
           New Snow:   0".    Base Depth: 6"
           Surface Conditions:  Packed powder
           Remarks:  Cover holding well as of Tuesday morning

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
            Snowshoes or skis are required in the High Peaks when there is 12" or more of snow on the ground.   There is now 12" at Lake Colden and 2-3 feet at 4,000 feet.  Full winter conditions on any of the higher summits - be prepared. Traction required on any of the exposed summits and on some of the steeper trail sections at lower elevations due to repeated thaw-freeze cycles the past few weeks.

WHITEFACE HIGHWAY:  Skiable all the way to the Castle, but there may be windblown stretches.

MARCY DAM TRUCK TRAIL:  Still complete cover except that not all rocks are fully covered. 

HIKING TRAIL FROM ADK LOJ:  Not yet skiable.

AVALANCHE PASS:  Not yet skiable past Marcy Dam.  Lake ice on Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden is being crossed. Be cautious around all inlets and outlets - especially the outlet to Avalanche Lake where the safest course is to exit on the western shore and cross the outlet on the bridge.

CONNERY POND TO WHITEFACE LANDING:  Not yet skiable

HAYS BROOK TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely skiable to both Grass Pond and the Sheep Meadow with 10"at the Sheep Meadow, and the mostly gentle grades mean that the skiing is not too fast when icy.  Some blowdown past the crossing of Hays Brook.  Two of the trees are a bit of an effort to get around, but they don't detract from the overall experience.  Use caution on the steep hill that descends to Hays Brook.

FISH POND TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely skiable from the parking area, and the gentle grades for the first two miles make that skiable even when firm.  The big hill two miles in from the register is not really recommended, especially because there is a report of some downed trees that require caution..

GULF BROOK ROAD TO BOREAS PONDS:  Definitely good cover, but the final descent back to the parking lot will be fast if surfaces are firm. Parking area had yet to be plowed as of last week. Some culverts washed out in the Halloween storm, but they are crossable and will be more easily negotiated as we get more snow.

NEWCOMB LAKE ROAD TO CAMP SANTANONI:  Definitely skiable and perhaps the best choice for this week.  Moose Pond Trail also has good cover, but there may be uncleared blowdown.

AUSABLE LAKE ROAD:  Mostly still good cover, (except better to walk at the start under the thick trees), but hills will be perhaps a bit too fast for comfort if still firm. 

After two warm days, temperatures are expected to drop by this afternoon with snow in the forecast for Monday and Tuesday.  The forecasts have been improving with now 3-5" expected. This won't get us back to where we were a few weeks ago, but it's a start; and no warm-up in sight so far. In fact, high temperatures on Thursday may only be about 10 degrees, but moderating to the mid 20s for highs by next Saturday.  Once the snow has stopped on Tuesday, we'll get out and see what will be possible to ski for the rest of the week and weekend.

Update 12/13/19:
     Another warm day on Saturday with some rain, then cooling off into next week, but so far not much new snow.  Tuesday is the best chance for snow, and we'll update if it looks like the forecast changes with an increased amount. 

Monday warmed up into the 40s and those temperatures prevailed through the night with some wind and rain to further damage the snow we had.  Cooling off as of Tuesday evening, but at most an inch of new snow tonight and Wednesday.  Quite cold on Thursday, warmer on Friday, and the a high near 40 with rain on Saturday.  

So, most of the snow in the Lake Placid area is gone for now.  Paul Smiths and Newcomb will have retained a base, but surfaces will, at best, be "dust on crust".  So, it looks like we're back to microspikes and hiking for the rest of the week and coming weekend.

Mt. Van Hoevenberg is back to a 1 km loop and reports the weather conditions as "clousy"- spell checker doesn't like that word, but I don't think it is a typo. Cascade hasn't updated, but their well-sheltered trails may have held enough base that they can groom at least a few trails once we get the inch or so predicted on Wednesday.  

INTRODUCTION
     Update, Friday evening:  The snow continued to fall today, so at least 3" of additional light snow.  This is good news, but without any significant base on the rougher trails one must recognize that the rocks are merely "disguised", not actually "covered".
         Some light snow Thursday and Friday has made more terrain skiable, but the rougher trails are still not recommended.  The forecast calls for temperatures only in the low 20's for a high on Saturday, but warming up into the low 30s on Sunday.  Monday and Tuesday will see some rain and temperatures near 40, but it cools down later in the week.

JACKRABBIT TRAIL
        Only the smoother sections are really skiable just yet.  Specifically, the Craig Wood to River Rd. and River Rd. to the Lake Placid Club can be recommended.  Old Mt. Rd. up from Keene to the top of the pass definitely skiable with some care as not all the rocks are covered. Lake Placid side of the old Mt. Road has some rough going including wet areas. The Peninsula section is also skiable with care. The rest needs more snow.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKI CENTERS
          CASCADE X-C SKI CENTER:  
          Km Open and Groomed:  15   Km Track Set:  15
          New snow:  4".    Base Depth: 3"
          Surface Conditions:  Packed powder 
          Remarks:  Restaurant and ski shop open

          MOUNT VAN HOEVENBERG:
          Km Open and Groomed:  40    Km Track Set:  30
          New snow:  3".    Base Depth: 3-4" 
          Surface Conditions:  Packed Powder
          Remarks:  Ladies 5km not open due to construction.

           PAUL SMITHS VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
           Km Open and Groomed:  30  (report says "light" grooming)
           New Snow:   4".    Base Depth: 4-5"
           Surface Conditions:  Packed powder
           Remarks:

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
            Snowshoes not yet required to be used in the High Peaks, but there is enough snow that they should be used if there is 6" or more.  The regulatory requirement for snowshoes is now 12".  Full winter conditions on any of the higher summits, and traction just about mandatory for any steeper trail due to thaw earlier this week followed by a freeze.

WHITEFACE HIGHWAY:  Skiable all the way to the Castle.

MARCY DAM TRUCK TRAIL:  Skiable with caution as not all rocks are fully covered.

HIKING TRAIL FROM ADK LOJ:  Not yet skiable.

AVALANCHE PASS:  Not yet skiable past Marcy Dam.  Lake ice on Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden is being crossed. Be cautious around all inlets and outlets - especially the outlet to Avalanche Lake where the safest course is to exit on the western shore and cross the outlet on the bridge.

CONNERY POND TO WHITEFACE LANDING:  Not yet skiable

HAYS BROOK TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely skiable to both Grass Pond and the Sheep Meadow with 15"at the Sheep Meadow.  Some blowdown past the crossing of Hays Brook.  Two are a bit of an effort to get around, but they don't detract from the overall experience.  Use caution on the steep hill that descends to Hays Brook.

FISH POND TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely skiable from the parking area.  No report on the condition of the big hill two miles in from the register.

GULF BROOK ROAD TO BOREAS PONDS:  Definitely skiable, although the parking area has yet to be plowed. Some culverts washed out in the Halloween storm, but they are crossable and will be more easily negotiated as we get ore snow.

NEWCOMB LAKE ROAD TO CAMP SANTANONI:  Definitely skiable.  Moose Pond Trail also has good cover, but there may be uncleared blowdown.

AUSABLE LAKE ROAD:  Skiable.  No vehicular traffic, and so far no snowmobile traffic; but that could change next week.    
     

While much of New York received significant snow from Sunday's storm, that snow stayed south of the High Peaks.  The Lake Placid area only received 2-3 inches of snow overnight.  Enough to significantly improve skiing on the Marcy Dam, Fish Pond and Hays Brook truck trails, but initial indications are that the steeper sections of the Jackrabbit Trail and Avalanche Pass are still not quite ready to be skied.  The Newcomb Lake Road will be in good shape as the Newcomb area did receive more snow, and that road is very smooth and gentle.

Cascade X-C Ski Center reports 5 km of trail open as of Monday morning.  Mt, Van Hoevenberg reports just 1 km open, but may be able to open more terrain by tomorrow.
​
There is a possibility of more snow this afternoon and evening, and we'll update this report as we learn more.