Cold Weather ahead, but at least some snow on the ground

UPDATE SUNDAY AFTERNOON 1/5
 A surprise 3-4" of new snow on Saturday night has changed things for the better in most places.  The improved conditions are incorporated into the report below.
Although we could always again be surprised, so far the forecast does not call for any more snow that would make much of a difference on what is reported below. It will remain cold through the week, but warming to the low 20s by next Saturday.
NEXT UPDATE ON THURSDAY OR FRIDAY WHEN THE WEATHER FOR THE WEEKEND IS MORE PRECISE.


INTRODUCTION
Do remember that, even though we had some pretty good conditions a few weeks ago, we're starting over so the usual early season cautions still prevail.

JACKRABBIT TRAIL
The McKenzie Pass section is skiable from Whiteface Inn Lane, with most rocks are fully covered on the hill. Very good cover as one approaches the lean-to. With the new snow, the ski down toward the pond could be possible, but caution would be advised - especially as one approaches the bottom where the snow would not be as deep. Enough snow now at McKenzie Pond Road that some have been brave enough to ski.  Old Mountain Road section is thin, but fully skiable. Some lumps on the hills and watch the beaver areas for wet areas. So far, no skiers on the Craig Wood to Lake Placid Club section, but this section should be at least barely skiable, although the steeper hills near the Lake Placid Club could be a problem.

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:  15  Track Set:  12 
          New snow: 4"  Packed Base Depth: 3"   Off Track: 10"   
          New Snow last 72 hours: 7"
          Surface Conditions: Packed powder on hardpack.
          Remarks: All trails open.  A few hills south of the brook reported as  'uphill only'.

         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: not yet 
         New snow:  4  Packed Base Depth:  3"   Off track: 8"   
          New snow past 72 hours:  6"
          Surface conditions:     Packed powder 
          Remarks:  May be able to set track tomorrow after the newly-packed snow firms up.

          MOUNT VAN HOEVENBERG:
        https://mtvanhoevenberg.com/daily-update/   518-523-2811
          Km Open and Groomed: 32  Track Set: 8 km  
          New snow:  4"  Packed Base Depth:  3-4" on Legacy trails   Off track: 7" 
          New snow past 72 hours:  7"
          Surface Conditions:   Packed powder. Good coverage on 2 km of competition trails
         Remarks:  Set track on the flatter Legacy trails on south side (a.k.a. cross-country side). Also open Inner Loopen and East Mountain plus some trails on the north side (a.k.a. biathlon side).

​           PAUL SMITH'S VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
         https://www.paulsmithsvic.org/trailconditions/  518-327-6241
           Km Groomed and Open: 12 km  Track Set:  10 
           New Snow:  5" Packed Base Depth: 6"   Off track:  10" 
           New snow past 72 hours:  8"
           Surface Conditions:  Packed powder. Additional 5 km of ungroomed trails also open. 
​           Remarks:  There is now a current online report, but a phone call might be best to determine the exact conditions.
            DEWEY MOUNTAIN:
           https://www.facebook.com/deweymountainrecreationcenter  518-891-2697
            Km Open:  5   Track set: none
           New Snow:  3"  Packed Base Depth: 2"  Off Track:  
           New snow past 72 hours:  5"
           Surface Conditions:  Packed powder
           Remarks: Lower mountain trails open on thin cover.

           TUPPER LAKE X-C SKI TRAILS
           https://www.facebook.com/Tupper-Lake-Groomed-XC-Trails-102907273119538/  518-359-8370
            Km Open: 10   Track set:   10
           New Snow:     Base Depth:      Off track:    
           New snow past 72 hours:  
           Surface Conditions:  Packed powder
​        Remarks:  The system mostly held a good base. No specifics on snowfall or overall snow depth, but the photos online indicate this remains the best groomed skiing in the area. 

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS
Most of the popular backcountry skis managed to hold some base and benefited from Friday's snow. Caution still advised as not all hazards are fully covered. The new snow Saturday night was light, so be aware that those hazards may just be better disguised while still being dangerous. Thursday, 1/2 report from Lake Colden says 15" at the cabin, but it must be over 20" with this new snow. An additional note of caution about fresh blowdown given the high winds we experienced Wednesday, Thursday, and into Friday.

Whiteface Highway: As has been the case for nearly a month, the highway is fully covered, but some lower corners will be partially windblown clear, and as is often the case, the final Wilmington Turn is totally bare.

Marcy Dam, Truck Trail: Skiable, but there are still rocks that are disguised but not covered. Meadows Lane now blocked off for the winter. Park on the left to leave room for ranger vehicles with snowmobile trailers in the event of an emergency. 
Fish Pond Truck Trail: No reports, but surely very skiable. Lake ice may be safe after the cold weather this past weekend, but definitely make your own assessment for the alternate return.
Hays Brook Truck Trail: Definitely skiable to both the Sheep Meadow and Grass Pond. The only problem is that so far the Hays Brook parking has not been plowed, so 4WD is essential for that trailhead. 
Newcomb Lake Road: As usual, the best skiing and it is clear of blowdown. No report on any blowdown on the road to Moose Pond.
Gulf Brook Road to Boreas Ponds: Good coverage and some broken track. Initially, North Hudson said they had no intention of plowing any parking at Gulf Brook, but as of Saturday, 1/4,
there is parking for a few cars at the base of the hill. Those who did ski were able to drive up to the gate. No guarantee that this will continue, and parking on the shoulder is legal, just not all that desirable. Additionally, the Ragged Mt. Road parking is also plowed. This is the access to Hoffman Notch.
Avalanche Pass: Was reported as barely skiable past Marcy Dam as of Saturday. The new snow has improved it, and the pass is now in good shape.  Lake Colden now has at least 20" of snow.  Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden are crossable. Caution is always advised near the outlet to Avalanche Lake. If in doubt, take to the trail on the west side about 50 yards before the outlet and cross on the bridge. Also a report of a problem on Lake Colden near Beaver Point.
​Ausable Lake Road: Thin cover at the start, and not much more beyond, but just barely skiable.
Wright Peak Ski Trail:  ​Probably skiable after it diverges from the hiking trail.
Mt. Marcy Ski Trail: So far no report on how far one must walk past Marcy Dam before there is enough snow to ski. Before the thaw, it was skiable after the climb above 50-meter bridge, and that may still be the case.