Wednesday evening update:  Still not much snow falling as of 7:00 PM, but the forecast is still calling for 7-12". We'll update again on Thursday, but over the years we've learned not to count our inches until they fall.

As of Monday afternoon, 2/20, the National Weather Service is predicting some snow and a brief return to colder than normal temperatures. There will be snow showers most days this week, but the best chance for snow is on Thursday. As of now, no prediction on how much, and we need at least 4" to cover up the crust and fill in the bare spots. 

Friday looks to be a very cold day with highs in the low teens, followed by upper teens on Saturday. Sunday appears to start a warming trend with highs in the upper 20s. 

So, stay tuned. We'll update Wednesday evening when, hopefully, we'll be able to predict a significant snowfall on Thursday. 

In the meantime, conditions as reported below haven't changed very much despite another day of above freezing temperatures. 

Saturday Afternoon update: Beautiful day to be out doing most anything. Only real update is to report that the Old Mt. Road and McKenzie Pass sections of the Jackrabbit Trail are being skied. Thin in spots - especially the Saranac Lake end of the McKenzie Pass section. So, these and other sections can now be rated as 'skiable' - metal-edged skis strongly recommended.

Saturday Morning update:  In the end, not much new to report. No additional snow overnight, so most areas just have a dusting to 1/2" on the crust. The exception is Paul Smith's VIC which reports all of  1-1/2" new.  full groomed center report below. No additional information on whether any backcountry routes beside the ones mentioned below are really skiable.

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: ? km 
          New snow:    Packed Base Depth: 3-4"   Off Track 5-6"  
          New Snow last 72 hours: 
          Surface Conditions: Groomed granular
          Remarks: All trails north of the brook are open and groomed with track set on most trails where possible.
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. Free for residents of the Tri-Lakes area. $15/day, $10/half-day for others. 
.        scottscobblenordic.com
          KM Open and Groomed: 5    Track Set: 0
          Remarks: Partially open. Fat tire bike demo day today 

          MOUNT VAN HOEVENBERG:
         https://mtvanhoevenberg.com/nordic-sliding-centers/conditions   518-523-2811
          Km Open and Groomed:  35  Track Set: 30 
          New snow:    Packed Base Depth: 3-4"  Off track: 5-6" 
          New snow past 72 hours: 
          Surface Conditions:    Groomed granular 
         Remarks: Competition trails and x-c side trails open with variable surfaces.  

​           PAUL SMITH'S VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
          https://trailhub.org/ts/AJqsdStcVzW7Mjrr4MJh  518-327-6241
           Km Open and Groomed: 35  Track Set: ?   
           New Snow: 1-1/2"   Packed Base Depth: 6"  Off track: 10" 
           New snow past 72 hours:  1-1/2"
           Surface Conditions:  Groomed granular
​           Remarks:   Jenkins Mt. Backcountry Ski Zone closed. Most other trails open with the wider trails recently groomed and providing the best skiing.

            DEWEY MOUNTAIN:
           https://www.facebook.com/deweymountainrecreationcenter  518-891-2697
            Km Open:  ?  Track set:? 
           New Snow:      
           New snow past 72 hours
           Surface Conditions:  Granular 
​           Remarks: Lower mountain had been open and groomed, but no post-thaw report. 

           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: 1"     Base Depth:   Off track:  
           New snow past 72 hours:  
           Surface Conditions:  
​           Remarks: No post-thaw report.


All we can say as of Friday afternoon is that at least some snow remains on the popular backcountry routes and at the groomed centers. Temperatures have dropped below freezing, and we have picked up a dusting to 1/2 inch of new snow.  We may pick up a bit more overnight, but the best skiing for the weekend will either be at the groomed centers or on the flattest terrain. Look for another update Saturday morning when know how much snow actually fell overnight.

As for the weather, Saturday will be clear with high temperatures in the mid to upper 20s. Sunday is again above freezing, as is Monday. Then it cools off a bit for the rest of next week with the chance of some more light snow, but still no major new snow in the forecast. 

So far, judging by the reports from the cross-country centers, the best skiing will be at the Paul Smith's VIC.

Paul Smith's VIC: They report all trails open except for the Jenkins Mt. Backcountry Ski Zone. Better skiing on the wide trails that are groomed with the heavy equipment, but the narrower trails can be skied with caution. 
Mt. Van Hoevenberg: Reports good skiing on the competition loops where there is man-made snow, but caution on the Legacy trails where the cover is too thin to really groom - and only the trails on the X-C side of the road are listed as open.
ADK Cascade Welcome Center: Most trails reported as groomed and open as of Friday afternoon

Jackrabbit Trail:  Not sure if any full section can be recommended until we get more snow.

Backcountry Trails: Lake Colden still has 27" of snow, but surfaces will be fast and icy until we pick up at least another 4" of snow. We'll wait until a few skiers get out and try that terrain before making any definite reports of conditions. Best bets are the Newcomb Lake Road to Camp Santanoni, where there is the February open house for the Great Camp, and Gulf Brook Road to Boreas Ponds.

This Valentines Day update is not one to 'love'.  Temperatures will be near 50 on Wednesday with rain possibly starting in the afternoon. Then it's 90% chance of rain on Thursday, continuing into Friday before it cools down Friday night. Saturday will remain cold, but warm up by Sunday, and more rain is possible on Monday.

So, as the one comment on the previous report noted, it is 'spring skiing' conditions - i.e. hard and fast in the morning, but softening as the day warms up. Except when it rains all day and melts the base. 

Given this forecast, the best skiing on Saturday will be at the groomed centers. Once it warms up on Sunday, backcountry routes will be good - unless the warm weather has melted the snow and created bare spots. We'll update on Friday and again on Saturday morning with the reports from the groomed centers. It will take a bit longer to determine which backcountry routes, including the Jackrabbit Trail, still have enough cover to be skiable. 

Oh well, this isn't the first time we've lost a lot of snow in February followed by several more weeks of good skiing in March. Stay tuned, and don't give up on the season just yet.

Anyway, overall conditions haven't changed much in the past few days, but after a cool-down tomorrow, Saturday, 2/11, we will again be seeing temperatures above freezing each day. By Wednesday, the highs could be around 50, which start to actually melt the nice base we have built up. So far, weekend conditions look pretty good.

If you might be interested in a somewhat different Nordic experience, Saturday and Sunday will feature World Cup ski jumping on Lake Placid's 120-meter jump - the "big hill".  As best as I can tell, this website will most efficiently produce the information needed to buy a ticket to the event.  https://lakeplacidlegacysites.com/todo/fis-ski-jumping-world-cup/ 

UPDATE 2/6/23: Additional minor updates. Still warm Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. We'll post the local weekend conditions on Wednesday, 2/8.

UPDATE 2/5/23: The extreme cold is behind us, and snow conditions remain pretty much the same as reported below. Near or slightly above freezing temperatures will be the norm through Wednesday with a chance of light snow. Thursday and Friday will see temperatures near 40 and a chance of some light rain, grading to light snow in the evenings. So far, no major thaw in sight as it cools again by Saturday.  
Next update on Wednesday, 2/8, when we have a better idea of just how warm it might be at the end of the week along with a better idea of weather for the coming weekend.  

INTRODUCTION  
      No new snow this past week, so conditions underfoot remain about the same. What will change for Friday and Saturday is very cold temperatures (Friday's will be -10 in Lake Placid, then just above zero on Saturday), but warming to around freezing on Sunday followed by highs above freezing for the rest of the week. No significant new snow predicted during the week, but not likely any melting either with temperatures only slightly above freezing. 

JACKRABBIT TRAIL
         All sections can now be skied, and most, if not all hazards are fully covered. Still somewhat thin is the start of the trail to McKenzie Pond from McKenzie Pond Road, and there may still be exposed roots under the thickest trees. The rest of the trail, McKenzie Pond to Whiteface Inn Lane, is good skiing.
         The Old Mountain Road section is also good skiing with just a few areas where water in the trail requires a bit of maneuvering to avoid.


        ADK CASCADE WELCOME CENTER (PREVIOUSLY: CASCADE CROSS-COUNTRY SKI CENTER)
         https://adk.org/cascade-welcome-center/   518-837-5047
           Km Open and Groomed: 15    Track Set: 15km 
          New snow:    Packed Base Depth: 6--8"   Off Track 8-10"  
          New Snow last 72 hours: 
          Surface Conditions: Packed  powder
          Remarks: Entire system open with track set on most trails.
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. Free for residents of the Tri-Lakes area. $15/day, $10/half-day for others. 
.        scottscobblenordic.com
          KM Open and Groomed: 15    Track Set: 15
          Remarks: Fully open. 

          MOUNT VAN HOEVENBERG:
         https://mtvanhoevenberg.com/nordic-sliding-centers/conditions   518-523-2811
          Km Open and Groomed:  50  Track Set: 45 
          New snow:    Packed Base Depth: 6-8"  Off track: 8-10" 
          New snow past 72 hours: 
          Surface Conditions:    Packed powder 
         Remarks: All track-set except the Ladies 5km.  

​           PAUL SMITH'S VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
          https://trailhub.org/ts/AJqsdStcVzW7Mjrr4MJh  518-327-6241
           Km Open: 40   30 km of set track   
           New Snow:   Packed Base Depth: 8-10"  Off track: 12-15" 
           New snow past 72 hours:  
           Surface Conditions:  Packed  powder
​           Remarks:   Jenkins Mt. Backcountry Ski Zone is again open. Use requires a helmet and skins for climbing.

            DEWEY MOUNTAIN:
           https://www.facebook.com/deweymountainrecreationcenter  518-891-2697
            Km Open:  5  Track set: 
           New Snow:      
           New snow past 72 hours
           Surface Conditions:  Groomed powder
​           Remarks: Lower mountain now open. Upper mountain open but not groomed

           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: 1"     Base Depth:   Off track:  
           New snow past 72 hours:  
           Surface Conditions:  Packed powder
​           Remarks: Again open with nice conditions.

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:

                 Snow depth at Lake Colden:  30" as of Thursday's (2/2) DEC report
                4-5' above 4,000 feet 
                Skis or snowshoes are required by regulation in the High Peaks as the snow depth is now well above the 8" threshold. Snowshoes still advisable on other higher terrain, and good traction will be needed where there is ice under the new snow.. 

WRIGHT PEAK SKI TRAIL: Still enough cover to be skiable above the hiking trail,  but probably still not enough to get there and back on skis.  (Comment below says it's 'doable but adventurous'. Choose your own level of 'adventure' but the skiing above the hiking trail is good.)

MARCY TRAIL:  No specific ski report, but still marginal up as far as Indian Falls. Good skiing above Indian Falls.

WHITEFACE HIGHWAY:  Skiable starting at the Toll House. Usual thin areas likely covered as previous wet snow fell without any significant wind.

MARCY DAM TRUCK TRAIL:  Skiable, but still with caution. Most, but not all, rocks are fully covered. Also, some blowdown in the trail. One can now be mostly skied over. Another requires a short detour to get around.  All others only partially block the trail.

HIKING TRAIL FROM ADK LOJ: Skiable finally, but the Truck Trail would still be the better choice. 

AVALANCHE PASS:  Finally skiable all the way to Lake Colden, but still not at true mid-winter conditions as a few rocks are still exposed and there are dips for stream crossings. Ice on Avalanche Lake crossable, but use caution at the outlet. If in doubt, take the trail on the west (right) side about 50 yds. before the actual outlet and use the bridge to cross the outlet. Still some rocks to avoid on the way to Avalanche Camp.

CONNERY POND TO WHITEFACE LANDING:  Conditions are good to Whiteface Landing, and one can now cross the pond to avoid the initial hills. Those first hills are finally in good shape for those preferring not to cross the pond. One downed tree on the initial hills, but otherwise the trail is clear.

HAYS BROOK TRUCK TRAIL: The parking lot has been plowed. All blowdown has been cut through. Thanks to those who did that work. Skiing is close to perfect to both Grass Pond and the Sheep Meadow.

FISH POND TRUCK TRAIL:  Very skiable on the truck trail to Fish Pond along with the side trails. Lakes are  skiable as well, but some intermittent areas of slush have reappeared as of Monday, 2/6.  

RAQUETTE FALLS:  No specific report, but it should be skiable with caution on any downhill under thick hemlocks that have blocked the snow.

GULF BROOK ROAD TO BOREAS PONDS:  Good skiing with the new snow.  A few spots have been plowed for parking.

NEWCOMB LAKE ROAD TO CAMP SANTANONI: Near perfect conditions on that ski.

AUSABLE LAKE ROAD: 3-4" of packed base at the gate, and again skiable to the lake, but vehicular traffic does make the skiing a bit less enjoyable.. 

Sunday afternoon saw some heavy, wet snow fall above 1,500 feet. This has bent down a number of trees across the trails, but otherwise improved the already good skiing surfaces.

The Monday into Tuesday forecast calls for 1, maybe 2, inches of snow; but that won't change the earlier report below. After that, temperatures drop so that by Friday it will be in the low single digits for a daily high. The pattern continues into Saturday before it again warms up.

Next update on Friday 2/3 when we have a better idea of the exact temperatures for the weekend. 

INTRODUCTION  (And with updates to 1/28.)
      We have picked up 4 -5" of new snow in the last few days.  There may have been some sleet mixed in in some places, but not a significant amount. All popular routes have been broken out. It was warm - but not snow-melting warm - on Saturday with more light snow predicted on Sunday. Next week will be the coldest temperatures of the winter with daytime highs only in the low 20s, and then only a high in the single digits by Friday. So, no thaw in sight, and better late than never, winter is really here - at least for now. 

JACKRABBIT TRAIL
         All sections can now be skied, and most, if not all hazards are fully covered. Still somewhat thin is the start of the trail to McKenzie Pond from McKenzie Pond Road, and there may still be exposed roots under the thickest trees. The rest of the trail, McKenzie Pond to Whiteface Inn Lane, is good skiing.
         The Old Mountain Road section is also good skiing with just a few areas where water in the trail requires a bit of maneuvering to avoid.


        ADK CASCADE WELCOME CENTER (PREVIOUSLY: CASCADE CROSS-COUNTRY SKI CENTER)
         https://adk.org/cascade-welcome-center/   518-837-5047
           Km Open and Groomed: 15    Track Set: 15km 
          New snow: 4"   Packed Base Depth: 6--8"   Off Track 8-10"  
          New Snow last 72 hours: 4"
          Surface Conditions: Packed  powder
          Remarks: Entire system open with track set on most trails.
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. Free for residents of the Tri-Lakes area. $15/day, $10/half-day for others. 
.        scottscobblenordic.com
          KM Open and Groomed: 15    Track Set: 12
          Remarks: Fully open. 

          MOUNT VAN HOEVENBERG:
         https://mtvanhoevenberg.com/nordic-sliding-centers/conditions   518-523-2811
          Km Open and Groomed:  55  Track Set: 45 
          New snow:     Packed Base Depth: 6-8"  Off track: 8-10" 
          New snow past 72 hours: 4"
          Surface Conditions:    Packed powder 
         Remarks: Today, Finally reporting the entire area open with track set on every trail except the Ladies 5km and High Notch.

​           PAUL SMITH'S VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
          https://trailhub.org/ts/AJqsdStcVzW7Mjrr4MJh  518-327-6241
           Km Open: 40   At least 20 km of set track   
           New Snow:   Packed Base Depth: 8-10"  Off track: 12-15" 
           New snow past 72 hours:  4"
           Surface Conditions:  Packed  powder
​           Remarks:   Jenkins Mt. Backcountry Ski Zone is again open. Use requires a helmet and skins for climbing.

            DEWEY MOUNTAIN:
           https://www.facebook.com/deweymountainrecreationcenter  518-891-2697
            Km Open:  5  Track set: 
           New Snow:      
           New snow past 72 hours: 4"
           Surface Conditions:  Groomed powder
​           Remarks: Lower mountain now open

           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:  3"
           Surface Conditions:  Packed powder
​           Remarks: Again open with nice conditions on the golf course, but no report since the new snow..

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:

                 Snow depth at Lake Colden:  25" as of Thursday's DEC report
                4-5' above 4,000 feet 
                Skis or snowshoes are required by regulation in the High Peaks as the snow depth is now well above the 8" threshold. Snowshoes still advisable on other higher terrain, and good traction will be needed where there is ice under the new snow.. 

WRIGHT PEAK SKI TRAIL: Still enough cover to be skiable above the hiking trail,  but probably still not enough to get there and back on skis.  (Comment below says it's 'doable but adventurous'. Choose your own level of 'adventure' but the skiing above the hiking trail is good.)

MARCY TRAIL:  No specific ski report, but likely still pretty marginal up as far as Indian Falls. (One online report indicated that hikers bare-booted as far as Indian Falls. They probably shouldn't have done that, but it is an indication of still somewhat thin cover. Photos from the group showed more snow above, but the signs at the junction of the Slant Rock Trail are still well above the snow level. 

WHITEFACE HIGHWAY:  Skiable starting at the Toll House. Usual thin areas likely covered as this wet snow and previous snows fell without any significant wind.

MARCY DAM TRUCK TRAIL:  Skiable, but still with caution. Most, but not all, rocks are fully covered. Also, some blowdown in the trail. One can now be mostly skied over. Another requires a short detour to get around.  All others only partially block the trail.

HIKING TRAIL FROM ADK LOJ:  Still not really skiable. 

AVALANCHE PASS:  Finally skiable all the way to Lake Colden. (But a ski today indicates that we are still not at true mid-winter conditions as a few rocks are still exposed and there are dips for stream crossings.) Ice on Avalanche Lake crossable, but use caution at the outlet. If in doubt, take the trail on the west (right) side about 50 yds. before the actual outlet and use the bridge to cross the outlet. Still some rocks to avoid on the way to Avalanche Camp.

CONNERY POND TO WHITEFACE LANDING:  Conditions are good to Whiteface Landing, and one can now cross the pond to avoid the initial hills. Those first hills are finally in good shape for those preferring not to cross the pond. One downed tree on the initial hills, but otherwise the trail is clear.

HAYS BROOK TRUCK TRAIL: The parking lot has been plowed. All blowdown has been cut through. Thanks to those who did that work. A good base remained before the new snow, so skiing is close to perfect to both Grass Pond and the Sheep Meadow.

FISH POND TRUCK TRAIL:  Skiable, and the lakes are good skiing as well with no slush reported. 

RAQUETTE FALLS:  No specific report, but it should be skiable with caution on any downhill under thick hemlocks that have blocked the snow.

GULF BROOK ROAD TO BOREAS PONDS:  Good skiing with the new snow.  A few spots have been plowed for parking.

NEWCOMB LAKE ROAD TO CAMP SANTANONI: Last week, the local Forest Ranger reported 4-5" of new snow and said the skiing is "fantastic". Would be even better than that now. 

AUSABLE LAKE ROAD: 3-4" of packed base at the gate, and again skiable to the lake, but vehicular traffic may make the skiing a bit less enjoyable.. 

THURSDAY SNOW UPDATE:
        Yes, we picked up at least 4" overnight, so pretty much every popular trail will be skiable for the weekend. Pau Smith's VIC reports that the Jenkins Mt. Backcountry Ski Zone is at last open again. All trails at the VIC are also open with track-setting in progress. Cascade Welcome Center is also fully open, but still no online report for Mt. Van Hoevenberg.  More complete report later today. 

The National Weather Service has predicted 4-8" of new snow by Thursday at noon. Other weather forecast call for a bit more. However, after last week's disappointment with only about 2" in the Lake Placid area after an earlier prediction of 4-8", we'll just say what's predicted, but won't 'count our flakes until they fall....' The Weather Service also indicates that the snow could be mixed with sleet overnight, so it might take a day or so to fully determine what this storm has done regarding ski conditions.

​Nevertheless, even just 4" would bring every popular route except for Marcy and Wright Peak into good condition.  See below for details.