Back to skiing - finally

INTRODUCTION  (with updates to 1/16)
      While the skiing is hardly ideal for mid-January, the 2-3" of wet snow that fell after the rain has allowed most areas that had held onto some base to again be skiable. Furthermore, the forecast for next week has improved so that, even though daytime temperatures will be in the low to mid 30s, rain is no longer forecast - only a few snow showers. Update 1/16: Except the forecast has again suggested 'mixed precipitation' for Tuesday, but still says 70% chance of snow on Thursday.  We'll see....

JACKRABBIT TRAIL
         All sections can now be skied, but caution is required as the base on most sections is thin enough that rocks and roots present periodic hazards. Especially thin is the start of the trail to McKenzie Pond from McKenzie Pond Road. Any of the short, wet sections are now frozen. Additionally, the beaver pond on the Lake Placid end of the Old Mountain Road section has re-frozen sufficiently to be crossed.

        ADK CASCADE WELCOME CENTER (PREVIOUSLY: CASCADE CROSS-COUNTRY SKI CENTER)
         https://adk.org/cascade-welcome-center/   518-837-5047
           Km Open and Groomed: 10    Track Set: 5km 
          New snow:  2-3"  Base Depth: 3-4"   Off Track 3-4"  
          New Snow last 72 hours: 2-3"
          Surface Conditions: Groomed powder and granular
          Remarks:  Things cooled down quite a bit overnight and surface conditions are considerably harder today. Be prepared to go fast on your skis! 80% of our trails are open for classic and skate. Track set in about 40% of the trails north of Jubin Brook. ~01/16/23 09:10 am as posted by Cascade.
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 free groomed trails on Craig Wood Golf Course - rentals, lessons operated by High Peaks Cyclery
.         https://www.lakeplacid.com/do/activities/high-peaks-mountain-guides-nordic-alpine-touring-tele-ntn-split-board   518-523-3764
          KM Open and Groomed: 0     Track Set: 0 No base survived the thaw, so needs a bit more snow to be groomed.

          MOUNT VAN HOEVENBERG:
         https://mtvanhoevenberg.com/nordic-sliding-centers/conditions   518-523-2811
          Km Open and Groomed:  5km  Track Set: ? 
          New snow:  2-3"  Base Depth: 2"  Off track: 4" 
          New snow past 72 hours: 2-3"
          Surface Conditions:    Groomed powder and granular
         Remarks: Now open for recreational skiing, but only on about 5 km of the flat terrain due to the World University Games.

​           PAUL SMITH'S VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
          https://trailhub.org/ts/AJqsdStcVzW7Mjrr4MJh  518-327-6241
           Km Open: 20   Track set: 0  
           New Snow:  3"   Base Depth: 4"  Off track: 4-6" 
           New snow past 72 hours:  3"
           Surface Conditions:   Another cold blue sky day here at the VIC. A mix of packed and loose granular as groomers work throughout the morning. Great Coverage on the trails with the best conditions found on Logger's Loop, Skidder, Easy Street, and Jenkins Mountain Road. Great day for skate or classic.  ~01/16/23 09:06 am - as posted by the VIC,
​           Remarks: 

            DEWEY MOUNTAIN:
           https://www.facebook.com/deweymountainrecreationcenter  518-891-2697
            Km Open:    Track set:  
           New Snow:     Base Depth:  Off track: 
           New snow past 72 hours:
           Surface Conditions:  
​           Remarks: No skiing

           TUPPER LAKE X-C SKI TRAILS
           https://www.facebook.com/Tupper-Lake-Groomed-XC-Trails-102907273119538/  518-359-8370
            Km Open:      Track set:   
           New Snow:     Base Depth:  Off track: 
           New snow past 72 hours: 
           Surface Conditions:  
​           Remarks: Closed for now

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:

                 Snow depth at Lake Colden:  12".
                3-4' above 4,000 feet 
                Skis or snowshoes are still required by regulation in the High Peaks as the snow depth remains above the 8" threshold. Snowshoes still advisable on other higher terrain, and good traction will be needed as the temperatures fall. 

WRIGHT PEAK SKI TRAIL: Still enough cover to be skiable above the hiking trail - at least once we get a bit more snow.

MARCY TRAIL:  Not really skiable until we pick up some more snow.

WHITEFACE HIGHWAY:  Skiable starting at the Toll House. Likely thin to bare at the usual windy corners.

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

HIKING TRAIL FROM ADK LOJ:  Not really skiable. 

AVALANCHE PASS:  Not really skiable.

CONNERY POND TO WHITEFACE LANDING:  No current report

HAYS BROOK TRUCK TRAIL: The parking lot has been plowed, and should be accessible even if the recent snow isn't plowed. All blowdown has been cut through. Thanks to those who did that work. A good base remained before the new snow, so skiing should be good.

FISH POND TRUCK TRAIL:  Skiable, but just barely, even before this new snow, so likely skiable now. Lakes probably not skiable until we have a few cold nights.  

RAQUETTE FALLS:  Not skiable

GULF BROOK ROAD TO BOREAS PONDS: A good base at the trailhead, and more reported once past the initial climb. Good skiing with the new snow.  A few spots have been plowed for parking.

NEWCOMB LAKE ROAD TO CAMP SANTANONI: Also a good base remains, but not much new snow unfortunately. Hard and fast in the hardwoods, and somewhat icy under the occasional thick pine. Camp open this weekend for tours with warming in the "Studio" thanks the Adirondack Architectural Heritage

AUSABLE LAKE ROAD: 1-2" of packed base at the gate, and again skiable to the lake with the new snow.