Finally some new snow followed by fluctuating temperatures

UPDATE 2/5/25: Monday saw some warmer temperatures and even a bit of rain at the lower elevations, but the Lake Placid-Saranac Lake area just picked up a few inches of  slightly wet powder snow with no change in the overall conditions. Thursday also has the possibility of some ice mixed in with the snow, but nothing that will really change the conditions. Then, it's back to highs in the mid-20s through the weekend with more snow predicted for Saturday into Sunday. And so far no sign of any thaw, so get out and ski!

We'll post a more complete update on Friday afternoon, but we don't expect much change from last week.  

INTRODUCTION
   Wednesday's storm was a pleasant surprise as we picked up 6-8" of new, light powder in the Lake Placid area and upwards of 12" at Paul Smiths and other areas to the west. In the aftermath, we will be on a temperature "roller-coaster" with above freezing temperatures on Friday, single digit or low teen highs on Saturday, and temperatures in the 20s on Sunday. Monday will again be above freezing, but there could be more snow then. Cold again on Tuesday, but warming to freezing by Thursday.  Given these changing conditions, look for more frequent updates going forward.
The groomed centers are in full or nearly full operation, and all of the Jackrabbit Trail along with the popular  backcountry skis are in good shape.  Outside of the groomed centers, trail-breaking will be needed for the early-birds, but it shouldn't be too hard with the light snow.

JACKRABBIT TRAIL
The McKenzie Pass Section: Now fully skiable from Whiteface Inn Lane to McKenzie Pond Road. Still a bit thin right at McKenzie Pond Road, but generally good all the way to the pond. 
Old Mountain Road Section: Fully skiable. 
Paul Smiths Section: We now have reports that logging prevents a through ski from the VIC to Lake Clear. The section from the VIC to Rt. 86 has good cover and only a few trees down that can be gotten around or over. South of Rt. 86 it is good skiing for about 1.5 miles to where the logging starts and the skiing ends. Coming up from Lake Clear, the old trolley line under the power lines is skiable until one hits the active logging road. 
Other sections:  Craig Wood to Lake Placid Club section is skiable, and the new snow has smoothed out the new section around Scotts Cobble. The connections to Cascade Welcome Center are also skiable.

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:  15 
          New snow:   Packed Base Depth: 6-8"   Off Track: 15"   
          New Snow last 72 hours: 8"
          Surface Conditions: Packed powder.
          Remarks: All trails open.  Night skiing this Friday, 1/31

         SCOTTS COBBLE NORDIC CENTER
         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: 15  Track Set: 10k
         New snow:    Packed Base Depth:  6"   Off track: 8"   
          New snow past 72 hours:  8"
          Surface conditions:     Packed powder 
          Remarks:  
          MOUNT VAN HOEVENBERG:
        https://mtvanhoevenberg.com/daily-update/   518-523-2811
          Km Open and Groomed: 45  Track Set: 25 km  
          New snow:    Packed Base Depth:  6-8" on Legacy trails   Off track: 12" 
          New snow past 72 hours:  6"
          Surface Conditions:   Packed powder. 
         Remarks:  Set track on most of the Legacy trails  on south side (a.k.a. cross-country side). Most trails on the north side (a.k.a. biathlon side) also open but no report of any track set. Previously, Porter Mt. Loops only had set track as far as the junction at the base of the first climb. This was apparently due to damage done by vehicular access for trail construction last summer that was never repaired, requiring more snow to be able to set track all the way around those loops. Maybe this new snow will allow track to be set all the way around, but we'll wait for confirmation.

​           PAUL SMITH'S VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
         https://www.paulsmithsvic.org/trailconditions/  518-327-6241
           Km Groomed and Open: 45 km  Track Set:  25 
           New Snow:   Packed Base Depth: 10-12"   Off track:  20" 
           New snow past 72 hours:  12"
           Surface Conditions:  Packed powder. 
​           Remarks:  Set track on the wider trails where the Pisten-Bully can be used. Other narrower trails open but not all have been packed.
            DEWEY MOUNTAIN:
           https://www.facebook.com/deweymountainrecreationcenter  518-891-2697
            Km Open:  10   Track set: none reported
           New Snow:    Packed Base Depth: 4-6"  Off Track:  
           New snow past 72 hours:  6"
           Surface Conditions:  Packed powder
           Remarks: Lower mountain trails groomed and open.  Some upper trails also groomed but still thin..

           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:  deep    Off track:    deeper
           New snow past 72 hours:  much
           Surface Conditions:  Packed powder
​        Remarks:  No specifics on snowfall or overall snow depth, but the photos online indicate this remains the best groomed skiing in the area.   

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS
Finally close to mid-winter conditions.  Wednesday 1/29,  report from Lake Colden says the snow depth at the cabin is  34". Some hazards may become exposed as the popular trails are skied off, but otherwise all but the roughest routes are in good shape.  Trail breaking will be an issue for the first skiers out on these trails, but the snow is light and shouldn't be too much extra work.

Whiteface Highway: As has been the case for over a month, the highway is fully covered, but still with a few sections that are narrow or bare given the high winds. 
Connery Pond to Whiteface Landing: ​Now skiable. Some rocks on either side of the initial hill, but good after that. Alternatively, the ice is safe to cross, thereby avoiding that initial hill, although slush may still be an issue approaching the north shore.
Marcy Dam, Truck Trail: Good skiing all the way to Marcy Dam. 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:  Very skiable all the way to Fish Pond. Lake ice should be safe after the cold weather this past weekend, but slush may be an issue for the alternate return.
Hays Brook Truck Trail: Definitely skiable to both the Sheep Meadow and Grass Pond.  Parking lot has not been plowed recently. 4WD vehicles can make it in and out in the existing ruts, but 2WD vehicles will have a tough time turning around. We can hope that somehow the plowing resumes.
Newcomb Lake Road: As usual, the best skiing.  The side road to Moose Pond also has good cover with only minor and easily circumvented blowdown reported.
Gulf Brook Road to Boreas Ponds: Good coverage.  No plowing as of Thursday, 1/30.  Parking on the shoulder is legal, just not all that desirable. 
​Raquette Falls: Now  skiable with the new snow, although the final switchback descent may need caution. Coreys Road plowed, but not sanded to the trailhead, and the parking area has been plowed enough that 4WD vehicles should have no problem turning around.  
Avalanche Pass: Now very skiable past Marcy Dam, but still with a rock or two to dodge as far as Avalanche Camp.  With all the new snow, the pass is now in good shape.  Lake Colden now has 34" of snow.  Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden are crossable. Caution is always advised near the outlet to Avalanche Lake as there are recent reports of skiers/snowshoers breaking through. If in doubt, take to the trail on the west side about 50 yards before the outlet and cross on the bridge. 
​Ausable Lake Road: With the new snow, now skiable with just a few short stretches of thin cover just past the gate plus another short stretch at 3/4 mile past the gate.
Wright Peak Ski Trail:  Skiable after it diverges from the hiking trail, but still rough getting from the point where one joins the hiking trail to where the ski trail diverges.
Mt. Marcy Ski Trail:  With the new snow, now more skiable until the ski trail junction above 50-meter bridge. Good cover above that elevation, but there are many blowdowns from there to Indian Falls.  Above Indian Falls, plenty of snow, but a snowshoe trench  to deal with.