Post-thaw conditions 12/3/21

Yesterday, Thursday 12/2, saw temperatures hovering near 40 degrees most of the day along with a few bursts of rain. Cooler this morning, and the Lake Placid area picked up an inch of new snow as the cold front moved in.

Mt. Van Hoevenberg reports 35 km of their system is open - everything except for Porter Mt. and the competition trails. No new track-setting, but the old tracks with the new snow will ski in quickly. Looks like Mt. Van Hoevenberg will be the best skiing for the weekend.

Other possibilities, however, include the Paul Smiths VIC trails.  No report on exactly how many trails will be open, but the photos show a good deal of snow being groomed. Nearby Hays Brook truck trail should also remain skiable with just the short hill down to Hayes Brook requiring caution.Lake Placid golf courses will also be good.

Newcomb Lake Road will also be good skiing. No report on how much new snow fell there last night,  but there was enough base to survive the thaw; and with its gentle profile and smooth surface it will be good - even if melted down to 3 inches or so.

Gulf Brook Road to Boreas Ponds also survived the thaw with 3-4 inches of dense base and a dusting of new snow on top.  Broken tracks to the inner gate, but definitely good skiing (and not difficult trail-breaking) from there to the ponds.

Marcy Dam truck trail still requires caution as rocks remain a hazard. Likewise, no section of the Jackrabbit Trail can really be recommended as all sections are just rough enough to still have hazard rocks. 

Finally, the Whiteface Highway remains skiable.  No recent word on how the usual windblown stretches have fared with the thaw.