March is the new "Mid-winter"

UPDATE 3/3/23:
           As of Saturday morning we have picked up 5-8" of new - somewhat wet and dense - snow. This is the low end of the initial prediction but it will improve the skiing everywhere. The trail breaking won't be too difficult on any of the ungroomed trails, but we'll still try to pass along information about which trails have been skied.
      

UPDATE 3/2/23:
        This morning, we had a few hours of above-freezing temperatures and some light rain. This will put a bit of crust on the snow, as temperatures cool this afternoon and evening. And now we have the possibility of another 6-10" of new snow Friday night and into Saturday.  Stay tuned.
          Additionally, the Thursday DEC conditions report says there are now 45" of snow at Lake Colden. Yes, finally mid-winter conditions. 

INTRODUCTION  
      Since  the nice new snow last weekend, we have seen temperatures fluctuate between a bit above freezing and  a bit below. On Tuesday afternoon, there was even a bit of freezing drizzle that left a very light crust, but by any measure we now have the best conditions of the season. All groomed centers are again in full or nearly-full operation. Backcountry trails have continued to pick up small but steady amounts of new snow, and most are now fully skiable.

      The DEC has issued an avalanche warning given that this new snow has fallen on a hard, frozen base. and can easily slide off. Beyond that, this report will not specifically assess the danger on any particular  slide.

     Thursday, 3/2, may see a bit more mixed precipitation, but that shouldn't affect the ski conditions; and Friday night into Saturday may see a few more inches of new snow. Then the weather remains moderate with daytime highs near to, but not above freezing. Can you ask for anything more?
JACKRABBIT TRAIL
         All sections can again be skied, all hazards are fully covered, and all sections have been broken out. Still somewhat thin is the start of the trail to McKenzie Pond from McKenzie Pond Road where there wasn't much base left, but that's the only caveat to the Jackrabbit report.
         
        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:  2"  Packed Base Depth: 5-7"   Off Track 12-14"  
          New Snow last 72 hours: 2"
          Surface Conditions: Packed  powder
          Remarks: Entire system open with track set on all 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: 15
         New snow:  2"  Packed Base Depth: 3-4"  Off track: 7-10" 
          New snow past 72 hours: 2"
          Remarks: 

          MOUNT VAN HOEVENBERG:
         https://mtvanhoevenberg.com/nordic-sliding-centers/conditions   518-523-2811
          Km Open and Groomed:  55  Track Set: 55 
          New snow: 2"   Packed Base Depth: 8-9"  Off track: 10-12" 
          New snow past 72 hours: 2"
          Surface Conditions:    Packed powder 
         Remarks:    

​           PAUL SMITH'S VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
          https://trailhub.org/ts/AJqsdStcVzW7Mjrr4MJh  518-327-6241
           Km Open: 40   20 km of set track   
           New Snow: 3"  Packed Base Depth: 12-15"  Off track: 15-20" 
           New snow past 72 hours:  3"
           Surface Conditions:  Packed  powder
​           Remarks:   Jenkins Mt. Backcountry Ski Zone is again open. Use requires a helmet and skins for climbing.
                                    Wider trails groomed and track-set with the big groomer. Narrower trails also groomed.

            DEWEY MOUNTAIN:
           https://www.facebook.com/deweymountainrecreationcenter  518-891-2697
            Km Open:  7  Track set: 5 km 
           New Snow:    2"  
           New snow past 72 hours: 2"
           Surface Conditions:  Lower trails groomed with track set in most places. Upper trails still ungroomed but skiable.
​           Remarks:

           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: 2"     Base Depth:3-4"   Off track: ?  
           New snow past 72 hours:  2"
           Surface Conditions:  Packed powder
​           Remarks:  

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:

                 Snow depth at Lake Colden:  37" as per DEC's Thursday report. (We'll update when the Thursday, 3/2, report is released.
                5-6' 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 all other backcountry terrain, and good traction will be needed where there is ice under the new snow.. 

WRIGHT PEAK SKI TRAIL: Again, enough cover to be very skiable above the hiking trail.  Some obstacles still exist on the hiking trail portion. One report said that section was skiable, "...because I'm young an foolish...." Another said, "...perfectly negotiable with the right equipment."  

MARCY TRAIL:  Still  a bit marginal up as far as "50-meter" bridge, and icy for the steep just above, But good skiing from there to Indian Falls and beyond. 

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

MARCY DAM TRUCK TRAIL:  Skiable with finally all rocks fully covered. All trees have now been cleared.

HIKING TRAIL FROM ADK LOJ: Skiable, and finally a viable, shorter option to the Truck Trail.  

AVALANCHE PASS: Skiable all the way to Lake Colden, an finally true mid-winter conditions. 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. Only a few rocks close to Marcy Dam 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 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 so far this winter. Local Forest Ranger says it has.  Skiing is close to perfect to both Grass Pond and the Sheep Meadow.

FISH POND TRUCK TRAIL:  Very skiable on the truck trail to Fish Pond along with the side trails. Lakes are  skiable as well, May be some intermittent areas of slush, but not recent report..  

RAQUETTE FALLS:  Skiable with mayber 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: Near perfect conditions on that ski.

AUSABLE LAKE ROAD: 5-6" of packed base at the gate, and skiable to the lake. No vehicular traffic as of 3/1, but that could change.