Conditions 12/30/20

Still not much good skiing to report, but at least the rain earlier predicted for Thursday and Friday has been "moved back" to Saturday.  There is again just enough snow for golf course skiing in Lake Placid (except for Whiteface Club which is now restricted to members). The Paul Smith's VIC reports 4-6" of new snow, while noting that the cover under thick conifers is still very thin.  A comment on the previous report indicate about 5" on the Fish Pond Truck Trail, with that trail skiable to Fish Pond - albeit with some thin areas.  

No recent report about the Whiteface Highway, but that should again be skiable, if thin at the start. 

Going forward, there does not appear to be any "game changing" snowstorm on the way, so we'll just have to take these few opportunities to ski, continue to hike with our spikes, or seek out the smaller bodies of water that have safe ice. 

UPDATE 12/31   Still no major snow in sight, but as of this morning the "R" word is no longer in the forecast - just some sleet mixing with the snow on Saturday.  Total accumulation of 1-3" predicted, and sounds like pretty dense stuff, so it will be a good, if minimal, base.  Then more snow showers Sunday and Monday, which will make at least golf courses and the smoother, easier terrain skiable.

Newcomb Lake Road is just barely skiable with 1-2" of base with some fluff on top.

The report from Lake Colden as of today is still only 4" as of Thursday with 4-6" up higher.  Not enough to ski to Lake Colden, and snowshoes are still not required in the High Peaks.  Trails are very icy, so good traction is essential.  

Farther to the west, the Cranberry Lake area apparently has skiable snow, and that probably means the Old Forge area also has skiable snow.

The DEC Outdoor Recreation Bulletin this week announced that the Town of North Hudson will not be plowing the parking area for Gulf Brook Road leading to Boreas Ponds.  Also no plowing for the Ragged Mt./Hoffman Notch parking.