Instant winter - almost

After yesterday's 2-3" of wet snow, we've picked up an inch or so of new snow with intermittent snow squalls continuing as of 4 PM. The wet snow, now mostly frozen has made about as good a base as can be made with 2" of snow with the result that the Whiteface Highway is in very good shape with some other possibilities at least barely skiable. Continued cold through the weekend and into next week so what we have is going to stay.  Some serious lake effect snow predicted for areas to the west, but if you live near there you've surely heard about that by now.

Meantime, Whiteface Highway was apparently quite busy yesterday with one report saying there were 30 vehicles parked there at one point. Only ten or so today, but still quite a number for a weekday. The Highway is skiable all the way to the Castle, and even the Wilmington Turn is covered. Some sections below the pump house are thin with just what has fallen since yesterday, but the coverage is edge to edge and no problem breaking through to the pavement.

A bit of additional checking has determined that the Hays Brook Truck Trail has enough snow to be just barely skiable, but no ski tracks so far. Likewise, Meadows Lane to South Meadow and the Marcy Dam Truck Trail has enough snow to be just barely skiable. The barriers have yet to be put in place and there has been some vehicular traffic without interfering with a possible ski.

Given these condition on the north side of the High Peaks, it is not unreasonable to expect that Newcomb Lake Road to Camp Santanoni is also skiable, but no current report from there. 

AND THIS JUST IN: :Some of the Loggers Loop at the Paul Smith's VIC is skiable. Other trails have been rolled, which will set up a good base (and help freeze the ground) for any future snow. Additionally, golf courses are reported as good skiing as well.
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As Jackrabbit Johannsen famously said, time to "Ski, Ski, Ski."  

Photo of the Whiteface Highway on 11/17. Some good snow and even a few turns on the stretch just above the pump house.