Conditions 12/10/20

After a week of slightly lower than normal temperatures, Friday-Sunday will see a warming into the mid-forties by Sunday.  Chance of some some light snow, grading to light rain by Sunday, and not much sun on any day.

Currently, it is still the Lake Placid golf courses, the Whiteface Highway, or the 1.4 km man-made loop at Mt. Van Hoevenberg.  Given that the snow we have came mostly from a coastal storm, areas to the west such as Paul Smiths don't have (as they usually have) more snow.  The Hays Brook Truck Trail to Grass Pond and the Sheep Meadow has two+ inches in the open sections, but less snow where the overstory is thicker.  There are those who would consider this "skiable", but it's definitely marginal.  And the short, steep hill just after the crossing of Hays Brook should definitely be walked as that is the only short section where there are any rocks in the trail.

Going into next week,temperatures will again fall to normal or slightly below normal, but so far no major snowfall that would really start the season.

And while I've perhaps still got your attention, please thank the volunteers who did such great work to mow and clip the Hays Brook Truck Trail, as that is often the first backcountry ski tour that is skiable.  

Also, if you are not already a member of BETA, please consider joining to support both our trail maintenance efforts and these reports.