It's a pretty heavy 4" of new snow, but we'll take it

INTRODUCTION  (And with updates to 1/28.)
      We have picked up 4 -5" of new snow in the last few days.  There may have been some sleet mixed in in some places, but not a significant amount. All popular routes have been broken out. It was warm - but not snow-melting warm - on Saturday with more light snow predicted on Sunday. Next week will be the coldest temperatures of the winter with daytime highs only in the low 20s, and then only a high in the single digits by Friday. So, no thaw in sight, and better late than never, winter is really here - at least for now. 

JACKRABBIT TRAIL
         All sections can now be skied, and most, if not all hazards are fully covered. Still somewhat thin is the start of the trail to McKenzie Pond from McKenzie Pond Road, and there may still be exposed roots under the thickest trees. The rest of the trail, McKenzie Pond to Whiteface Inn Lane, is good skiing.
         The Old Mountain Road section is also good skiing with just a few areas where water in the trail requires a bit of maneuvering to avoid.


        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: 15km 
          New snow: 4"   Packed Base Depth: 6--8"   Off Track 8-10"  
          New Snow last 72 hours: 4"
          Surface Conditions: Packed  powder
          Remarks: Entire system open with track set on most trails.
Remember that Cascade is now owned by the Adirondack Mt. Club. Ski shop open as usual, and ADK members  ski free. 

         SCOTTS COBBLE NORDIC CENTER - NEW
         10 km of groomed trails on Craig Wood Golf Course - rentals, lessons operated by High Peaks Cyclery. Free for residents of the Tri-Lakes area. $15/day, $10/half-day for others. 
.        scottscobblenordic.com
          KM Open and Groomed: 15    Track Set: 12
          Remarks: Fully open. 

          MOUNT VAN HOEVENBERG:
         https://mtvanhoevenberg.com/nordic-sliding-centers/conditions   518-523-2811
          Km Open and Groomed:  55  Track Set: 45 
          New snow:     Packed Base Depth: 6-8"  Off track: 8-10" 
          New snow past 72 hours: 4"
          Surface Conditions:    Packed powder 
         Remarks: Today, Finally reporting the entire area open with track set on every trail except the Ladies 5km and High Notch.

​           PAUL SMITH'S VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
          https://trailhub.org/ts/AJqsdStcVzW7Mjrr4MJh  518-327-6241
           Km Open: 40   At least 20 km of set track   
           New Snow:   Packed Base Depth: 8-10"  Off track: 12-15" 
           New snow past 72 hours:  4"
           Surface Conditions:  Packed  powder
​           Remarks:   Jenkins Mt. Backcountry Ski Zone is again open. Use requires a helmet and skins for climbing.

            DEWEY MOUNTAIN:
           https://www.facebook.com/deweymountainrecreationcenter  518-891-2697
            Km Open:  5  Track set: 
           New Snow:      
           New snow past 72 hours: 4"
           Surface Conditions:  Groomed powder
​           Remarks: Lower mountain now open

           TUPPER LAKE X-C SKI TRAILS
           https://www.facebook.com/Tupper-Lake-Groomed-XC-Trails-102907273119538/  518-359-8370
            Km Open:      Track set:   
           New Snow:     Base Depth:   Off track:  
           New snow past 72 hours:  3"
           Surface Conditions:  Packed powder
​           Remarks: Again open with nice conditions on the golf course, but no report since the new snow..

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:

                 Snow depth at Lake Colden:  25" as of Thursday's DEC report
                4-5' above 4,000 feet 
                Skis or snowshoes are required by regulation in the High Peaks as the snow depth is now well above the 8" threshold. Snowshoes still advisable on other higher terrain, and good traction will be needed where there is ice under the new snow.. 

WRIGHT PEAK SKI TRAIL: Still enough cover to be skiable above the hiking trail,  but probably still not enough to get there and back on skis.  (Comment below says it's 'doable but adventurous'. Choose your own level of 'adventure' but the skiing above the hiking trail is good.)

MARCY TRAIL:  No specific ski report, but likely still pretty marginal up as far as Indian Falls. (One online report indicated that hikers bare-booted as far as Indian Falls. They probably shouldn't have done that, but it is an indication of still somewhat thin cover. Photos from the group showed more snow above, but the signs at the junction of the Slant Rock Trail are still well above the snow level. 

WHITEFACE HIGHWAY:  Skiable starting at the Toll House. Usual thin areas likely covered as this wet snow and previous snows fell without any significant wind.

MARCY DAM TRUCK TRAIL:  Skiable, but still with caution. Most, but not all, rocks are fully covered. Also, some blowdown in the trail. One can now be mostly skied over. Another requires a short detour to get around.  All others only partially block the trail.

HIKING TRAIL FROM ADK LOJ:  Still not really skiable. 

AVALANCHE PASS:  Finally skiable all the way to Lake Colden. (But a ski today indicates that we are still not at true mid-winter conditions as a few rocks are still exposed and there are dips for stream crossings.) Ice on Avalanche Lake crossable, but use caution at the outlet. If in doubt, take the trail on the west (right) side about 50 yds. before the actual outlet and use the bridge to cross the outlet. Still some rocks to avoid on the way to Avalanche Camp.

CONNERY POND TO WHITEFACE LANDING:  Conditions are good to Whiteface Landing, and one can now cross the pond to avoid the initial hills. Those first hills are finally in good shape for those preferring not to cross the pond. One downed tree on the initial hills, but otherwise the trail is clear.

HAYS BROOK TRUCK TRAIL: The parking lot has been plowed. All blowdown has been cut through. Thanks to those who did that work. A good base remained before the new snow, so skiing is close to perfect to both Grass Pond and the Sheep Meadow.

FISH POND TRUCK TRAIL:  Skiable, and the lakes are good skiing as well with no slush reported. 

RAQUETTE FALLS:  No specific report, but it should be skiable with caution on any downhill under thick hemlocks that have blocked the snow.

GULF BROOK ROAD TO BOREAS PONDS:  Good skiing with the new snow.  A few spots have been plowed for parking.

NEWCOMB LAKE ROAD TO CAMP SANTANONI: Last week, the local Forest Ranger reported 4-5" of new snow and said the skiing is "fantastic". Would be even better than that now. 

AUSABLE LAKE ROAD: 3-4" of packed base at the gate, and again skiable to the lake, but vehicular traffic may make the skiing a bit less enjoyable..