As of Tuesday, it appears the less-than-ideal forecast for this week still holds. Temperatures upper 30s to low 40s on Wednesday followed by upper 40s and rain on Thursday. There will still be reasonably good cover everywhere after this brief warm-up, but so far it does not appear we will pick up any significant amount of snow as it cools down for Friday and Saturday. Temperatures will again warm to the 30s for Sunday and Monday. We'll update again on Thursday with the hope that we can report some "useful" amount of new snow.  

       Otherwise, at least the groomed centers (Van Ho, Cascade, Paul Smith's VIC, and Dewey) will still have good snow to groom.

Weather update 2/11/22:
      Temperatures late Thursday ended up rising to around 40 in all areas, with similar temperatures now predicted for Friday. It will continue warm into Saturday, so we will still be enjoying soft surfaces on a very good base. Unfortunately, Sunday will see hard and fast conditions unless we somehow pick up a few inches of snow with the approaching cold front. The cold continues through Monday, bit moderates for Tuesday and Wednesday next week. Unfortunately, the National Weather Service now predicts a continued warming to the 40s on Thursday with rain a possibility.  Given that even a shorter-term forecast yesterday didn't prove to be exactly accurate, the forecast for next week may change.  Stay tuned...

     Meanwhile, we're looking at two days of good conditions, so get out and ski. 

INTRODUCTION

       This week has seen a few hours of temperatures above freezing since Tuesday, but nothing that has really affected the powder surfaces. Temperatures will be at or just above freezing through Saturday, but then much colder on Sunday and into the first part of next week. Temperatures will again rise to around freezing on Wednesday next week, but then return to the 20s, so still no thaw in sight.

Some reports indicate that the additional snow from last week's storm has further weighted down the ice on ponds, which has resulted in slush under the snow. Avalanche Lake does not have any slush, but there is some slush under the snow on Lake Colden. This likely means that the St. Regis Canoe Area now also has that condition, so be aware of the possibility.

JACKRABBIT TRAIL
          Entire trail is, of course, now skiable and all sections have been broken out.

        CROSS-COUNTRY SKI CENTERS
          CASCADE X-C SKI CENTER:  
          Km Open and Groomed:  10    Track Set:  10
          New snow: 1"   Base Depth: 10"  Off Track 20"
          Surface Conditions:  packed powder
          Remarks:  

          MOUNT VAN HOEVENBERG:
          Km Open and Groomed:  55 km    Track Set: 55 km
          New snow: 10"   Base Depth: 22" on man-made trails. 10" on natural snow. Off Track: 20"
          Surface Conditions: Packed powder 
         Remarks:  Most track re-set as of Wednesday, 2/9

​           PAUL SMITHS VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
           Km Open: 30 of 40 km open.  Track set: 20 km
           New Snow:  1"   Base Depth: 15"  Off Track: 24"
           Surface Conditions:  Packed powder
​           Remarks: Building staffed Thursday - Sunday except it will be closed this coming Saturday due to Saranac Lake Winter Carnival parade day. All trails except for Fox Run packed. Track will be set on the edges of the wider trails. All other trails groomed.

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:

                45" at Lake Colden 
                5-6 feet above 4,000 feet 
                Skis or snowshoes definitely required by regulation in the High Peaks and needed in all other areas.
           
WRIGHT PEAK SKI TRAIL: Definitely enough snow on the higher sections. Hiking trail portion could still be a little rough.  Send reports

MARCY TRAIL:  Definitely enough snow to be skiable. Still a few rocks to avoid in the stretch above Marcy Dam, but after the "50-meter" bridge the conditions are good.

WHITEFACE HIGHWAY:  Skiable all the way to the Castle.

MARCY DAM TRUCK TRAIL:  Skiable and finally every single rock is fully covered. At the trailhead on Adirondak Loj Rd., DEC Rangers do not want any parking on the right side of the plowed turnout. Good parking on the left side, and then there's the road. 

HIKING TRAIL FROM ADK LOJ:  Finally skiable. Marcy Brook is crossable above the breached dam.  No need to descend to the bridge over the brook below the dam.

AVALANCHE PASS: Fully skiable and well broken out.   Avalanche Lake is frozen and crossable, Outlet not a problem this year. (If skied from the Meadows Lane/Marcy Dam Truck Trail trailhead, DEC Rangers do not want any parking on the right side of the plowed turnout. Good parking on the left side, and then there's the road.) As noted above, the new snow has caused some slush to form under the snow on Lake Colden.

CONNERY POND TO WHITEFACE LANDING:  Skiable, Pond is crossable and is the best access..  

HAYS BROOK TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely very skiable to both Grass Pond and the Sheep Meadow.  So far this season, the parking area continues to be plowed. (Yay!). But no word yet on plowing after this storm.

FISH POND TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely skiable, and loop back on the ponds now very doable, except that, as noted above, the new snow may have caused some slush to form under the snow.

RAQUETTE FALLS:  Skiable.  

GULF BROOK ROAD TO BOREAS PONDS: Skiable. Parking area has previously been plowed for 4-5 cars,  Parking on the road is possible - just not ideal. All culverts and bridges have been repaired/replaced. As of late December, one tree down just short of the ponds. If you ski there, please register as that will help justify future plowing.

NEWCOMB LAKE ROAD TO CAMP SANTANONI: Good skiing to Camp Santanoni. Moose Pond trail has some blowdown that may not be removed this winter. Confirmation via comment below that the trail has been broken out to Camp Santanoni.

AUSABLE LAKE ROAD:  Fully skiable.  Snowmobile traffic along with the foot traffic.  

As of Friday morning the entire area has picked up anywhere between 8 and 14 inches of new snow. Even the lesser amount is sufficient to make for perfect conditions for the weekend and next week. This should also be sufficient to make both the Wright Peak and Marcy trails skiable. Reports updated as we learn more.

Saturday will be cold with temperatures only around 10, but low 20s on Sunday, and then upper 20s to low 30s for the rest of the week. So, what could be better than mild temperatures to enjoy this new snow, but no thaw to take it all away.

Some reports that the additional snow has further weighted down the ice on ponds, which has resulted in slush under the snow. No specific reports for Avalanche Lake, Lake Colden, or the St. Regis Canoe Area, but be aware of the possibility.

JACKRABBIT TRAIL
          Entire trail is, of course, now skiable,

         First report of a broken out section is the Old Mountain Road section: fully broken out from Rock and River to Mountain Lane, and the ice climbers even used skis on their access, so no post holes.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKI CENTERS
          CASCADE X-C SKI CENTER:  
          Km Open and Groomed:  10    Track Set:  10
          New snow: 10"   Base Depth: 10"  Off Track 20"
          Surface Conditions:  packed powder
          Remarks:  Grooming in progress as of Friday AM

          MOUNT VAN HOEVENBERG:
          Km Open and Groomed:  55 km    Track Set: 45 km
          New snow: 10"   Base Depth: 22" on man-made trails. 10" on natural snow. Off Track: 20"
          Surface Conditions: Packed powder 
         Remarks:  All trails except High Notch groomed. Track setting in progress as of Friday AM

​           PAUL SMITHS VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
           Km Open: 35 of 40 km open.  Track set: 20 km
           New Snow:  12"   Base Depth: 12"  Off Track: 25"
           Surface Conditions:  Packed powder
​           Remarks: Building staffed Thursday - Sunday. All trails except for Fox Run packed. Track will be set on the edges of the wider trails. All other trails groomed.

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:

                34" at Lake Colden before the new snow
                3-4 feet above 4,000 feet before the new snow, likely 5-6 feet now
                Skis or snowshoes definitely required by regulation in the High Peaks and needed in all other areas.
           
WRIGHT PEAK SKI TRAIL: Definitely enough snow on the higher sections. Hiking trail portion could still be a little rough.  Send reports

MARCY TRAIL:  Definitely enough snow to be skiable. Still a few rocks to avoid in the stretch above Marcy Dam, but after the "50-meter" bridge the conditions are good.

WHITEFACE HIGHWAY:  Skiable all the way to the Castle.

MARCY DAM TRUCK TRAIL:  Skiable and finally every single rock will be fully covered. At the trailhead on Adirondak Loj Rd., DEC Rangers do not want any parking on the right side of the plowed turnout. Good parking on the left side, and then there's the road. 

HIKING TRAIL FROM ADK LOJ:  Finally skiable. Marcy Brook is crossable above the breached dam.  No need to descend to the bridge over the brook below the dam.

AVALANCHE PASS: Fully skiable.   Avalanche Lake is frozen and crossable, Outlet not a problem this year. (If skied from the Meadows Lane/Marcy Dam Truck Trail trailhead, DEC Rangers do not want any parking on the right side of the plowed turnout. Good parking on the left side, and then there's the road.) As noted above, the new snow may have caused some slush to form under the snow - more likely on Lake Colden.

CONNERY POND TO WHITEFACE LANDING:  Skiable, Pond is crossable and is the best access..  

HAYS BROOK TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely very skiable to both Grass Pond and the Sheep Meadow.  So far this season, the parking area continues to be plowed. (Yay!). But no word yet on plowing after this storm.

FISH POND TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely skiable, and loop back on the ponds now very doable, except that, as noted above, the new snow may have caused some slush to form under the snow.

RAQUETTE FALLS:  Skiable.  

GULF BROOK ROAD TO BOREAS PONDS: Skiable. Parking area has previously been plowed for 4-5 cars,  Parking on the road is possible - just not ideal. All culverts and bridges have been repaired/replaced. As of late December, one tree down just short of the ponds. If you ski there, please register as that will help justify future plowing.

NEWCOMB LAKE ROAD TO CAMP SANTANONI: Good skiing to Camp Santanoni. Moose Pond trail has some blowdown that may not be removed this winter. Confirmation via comment below that the trail has been broken out to Camp Santanoni.

AUSABLE LAKE ROAD:  Fully skiable.  Snowmobile traffic along with the foot traffic.  

SNOW UPDATE 2/1/22:  The forecasts for the area are now predicting anywhere from 6-12 inches of snow from the storm that will start Wednesday night and continue into Friday. Temperatures will be warm at the start, and there could even be a brief period of rain, but in any event it will soon change to snow with much colder temperatures by Friday. Below zero Friday night, and a high of only about 10 on Saturday. Low 20s for a high on Sunday. Next week will see temperatures in the mid to upper 20s, but no thaw in sight through the ten day forecast.

INTRODUCTION
        It was a cold weekend with only about an inch of new snow on Sunday night, but it will warmup mid-week with a good possibility for some new snow. Then cooling off to below zero Friday night and a high of about 10 on Saturday, warming to around 20 this coming Sunday. So no significant change to the ski conditions, but still no big thaw - or even any slight bit of rain - in sight.

JACKRABBIT TRAIL
          Entire trail is now skiable, and all sections between Keene and Saranac Lake have been broken out. Trail from McKenzie Pond Rd. to the pond is a bit "lumpy', but definitely skiable with just a few rocks and roots yet to be covered. The long descent from the pass to McKenzie Pond has an occasional "speed bump",  but otherwise that whole section is in good shape.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKI CENTERS
          CASCADE X-C SKI CENTER:  
          Km Open and Groomed:  10    Track Set:  10
          New snow: 1"   Base Depth: 6"  Off Track 10"
          Surface Conditions:  packed powder
          Remarks:  

          MOUNT VAN HOEVENBERG:
          Km Open and Groomed:  55 km    Track Set: 45 km
          New snow: 1"   Base Depth: 22" on man-made trails. 6" on natural snow. Off Track: 10"
          Surface Conditions: Packed powder 
         Remarks:  Competition trails regroomed after the weekend races with fresh track set. Set track  on "Legacy" trails is holding up well

​           PAUL SMITHS VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
           Km Open: 35 of 40 km open.  Track set: 20 km
           New Snow:  1'   Base Depth: 12"  Off Track: 17"
           Surface Conditions:  Packed powder
​           Remarks: Building staffed Thursday - Sunday. All trails except for Fox Run packed. Track set on the edges of the wider trails. All other trails groomed.

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:

                34" at Lake Colden
                3-4 feet above 4,000 feet
           
WRIGHT PEAK SKI TRAIL: Comment on previous post indicated not quite enough snow to be good skiing, and the hiking trail portion is quite rocky.

MARCY TRAIL:  No recent report, but the report on the Wright Peak Ski Trail would indicate that there wouldn't be enough snow to be really skiable until close to or above Indian Falls.        

WHITEFACE HIGHWAY:  Skiable all the way to the Castle.

MARCY DAM TRUCK TRAIL:  Skiable and likely still the better choice for skiing to Marcy Dam. At the trailhead on Adirondak Loj Rd., DEC Rangers do not want any parking on the right side of the plowed turnout. Good parking on the left side, and then there's the road. 

HIKING TRAIL FROM ADK LOJ:  Finally skiable if still a bit rough. Marcy Brook is crossable above the breached dam.  No need to descend to the bridge over the brook below the dam.

AVALANCHE PASS: Fully skiable.   Avalanche Lake is frozen and crossable, but use caution at the outlet. (If skied from the Meadows Lane/Marcy Dam Truck Trail trailhead, DEC Rangers do not want any parking on the right side of the plowed turnout. Good parking on the left side, and then there's the road.)

CONNERY POND TO WHITEFACE LANDING:  Skiable, but still a bit thin on the hills on the new start. Pond is crossable and is the best access..  

HAYS BROOK TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely very skiable to both Grass Pond and the Sheep Meadow.  So far this season, the parking area continues to be plowed. (Yay!)

FISH POND TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely skiable, and loop back on the ponds now very doable.

RAQUETTE FALLS:  Skiable.  

GULF BROOK ROAD TO BOREAS PONDS: Skiable. Parking area now plowed for 4-5 cars,  Parking on the road is possible - just not ideal. All culverts and bridges have been repaired/replaced. As of late December, one tree down just short of the ponds. If you ski there, please register as that will help justify future plowing.

NEWCOMB LAKE ROAD TO CAMP SANTANONI: Good skiing to Camp Santanoni. Moose Pond trail has some blowdown that may not be removed this winter.

AUSABLE LAKE ROAD:  Fully skiable.  Snowmobile traffic along with the foot traffic.  

INTRODUCTION
        Since the original post on 1/24, conditions have remained good with a bit of new snow since the big snow last week. Some new flurries, but on this coming, Sunday 4-5 inches might fall. Continued cold, but at least getting well above zero each day. The good news is no thaw in sight through the Weather Underground 10-day forecast.

JACKRABBIT TRAIL
          Entire trail is now skiable, and all sections between Keene and Saranac Lake have been broken out. Trail from McKenzie Pond Rd. to the pond is a bit "lumpy', but definitely skiable with just a few rocks and roots yet to be covered. The long descent from the pass to McKenzie Pond has an occasional "speed bump",  but otherwise that whole section is in good shape.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKI CENTERS
          CASCADE X-C SKI CENTER:  
          Km Open and Groomed:  10    Track Set:  10
          New snow:    Base Depth: 6"  Off Track 10"
          Surface Conditions:  packed powder
          Remarks:  

          MOUNT VAN HOEVENBERG:
          Km Open and Groomed:  50 km    Track Set: 40 km
          New snow:    Base Depth: 22" on man-made trails. 6" on natural snow. Off Track: 10"
          Surface Conditions: Packed powder 
         Remarks:  

​           PAUL SMITHS VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
           Km Open: 35 of 40 km open.  Track set: 20 km
           New Snow:     Base Depth: 12"  Off Track: 17"
           Surface Conditions:  Packed powder
​           Remarks: Building staffed Thursday - Sunday. All trails except for Fox Run packed. Track set on the edges of the wider trails. All other trails groomed. Hot food 12-3 and live music 2-4 this weekend

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:

                34" at Lake Colden
                3-4 feet above 4,000 feet
           
        
WHITEFACE HIGHWAY:  Skiable all the way to the Castle.

MARCY DAM TRUCK TRAIL:  Skiable and likely still the better choice for skiing to Marcy Dam. At the trailhead on Adirondak Loj Rd., DEC Rangers do not want any parking on the right side of the plowed turnout. Good parking on the left side, and then there's the road. 

HIKING TRAIL FROM ADK LOJ:  Finally skiable if still a bit rough. Marcy Brook is crossable above the breached dam.  No need to descend to the bridge over the brook below the dam.

AVALANCHE PASS: Finally skiable   Avalanche Lake is frozen and crossable, but use caution at the outlet. (If skied from the Meadows Lane/Marcy Dam Truck Trail trailhead, DEC Rangers do not want any parking on the right side of the plowed turnout. Good parking on the left side, and then there's the road.)

CONNERY POND TO WHITEFACE LANDING:  Skiable, but still a bit thin on the hills on the new start. Pond is crossable and is the best access..  

HAYS BROOK TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely very skiable to both Grass Pond and the Sheep Meadow.  So far this season, the parking area continues to be plowed. (Yay!)

FISH POND TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely skiable, and loop back on the ponds now very doable.

RAQUETTE FALLS:  Skiable.  

GULF BROOK ROAD TO BOREAS PONDS: Skiable. Parking area now plowed for 4-5 cars,  Parking on the road is possible - just not ideal. All culverts and bridges have been repaired/replaced. As of late December, one tree down just short of the ponds.

NEWCOMB LAKE ROAD TO CAMP SANTANONI: Good skiing to Camp Santanoni. Moose Pond trail has some blowdown that may not be removed this winter.

AUSABLE LAKE ROAD:  Fully skiable.  Snowmobile traffic along with the foot traffic.  

UPDATED TO 1/21/22  Not much has changed since Monday's snow, but the report below includes what we have learned this week. Warmer this weekend - get out and ski!

INTRODUCTION
       Snow fell pretty continuously starting on Sunday night and tapering off mid-afternoon. It was a coastal storm, so the greatest amount of snow, 8", fell in Keene.  Lake Placid picked up about 6", while Saranac Lake received 4-6". The snow was dense, but still powdery, so even 4" will be enough to make for good cover. Still probably not enough for the steeper mountain trails, but good everywhere else.  

       Some additional light snow is predicted for Tuesday and Wednesday. Wednesday's high will be near 30, but then falling to a high of only 5 on Friday before warming into the teens for Saturday and Sunday.

       
JACKRABBIT TRAIL

          Entire trail is now skiable, and all sections between Keene and Saranac Lake have been broken out, Bottom of the McKenzie Pass descent to McKenzie Pond may still be a bit rough, but otherwise that long section is in good shape.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKI CENTERS
          CASCADE X-C SKI CENTER:  
          Km Open and Groomed:  10    Track Set:  
          New snow:  6" last 72 hours   Base Depth: 6"  Off Track 10"
          Surface Conditions:  packed powder
          Remarks:  

          MOUNT VAN HOEVENBERG:
          Km Open and Groomed:  50 km    Track Set: 40 km
          New snow:  6" last 72 hours   Base Depth: 22" on man-made trails. 6" on natural snow. Off Track: 10"
          Surface Conditions: Packed powder 
         Remarks:  

​           PAUL SMITHS VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
           Km Open: 35 of 40 km open.  Track set: 20 km
           New Snow:   8" last 72 hours    Base Depth: 10"  Off Track: 15"
           Surface Conditions:  Packed powder
​           Remarks: Building staffed Thursday - Sunday. All trails except for Fox Run packed. Track set on the edges of the wider trails.

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:

                25" at Lake Colden
                3-4 feet above 4,000 feet
           
        
WHITEFACE HIGHWAY:  Skiable all the way to the Castle.

MARCY DAM TRUCK TRAIL:  Skiable and likely still the better choice for skiing to Marcy Dam. At the trailhead on Adirondak Loj Rd., DEC Rangers do not want any parking on the right side of the plowed turnout. Good parking on the left side, and then there's the road. 

HIKING TRAIL FROM ADK LOJ:  Finally skiable if still a bit rough. Marcy Brook is crossable above the breached dam.  No need to descend to the bridge over the brook below the dam.

AVALANCHE PASS: Finally skiable   Avalanche Lake is frozen and crossable, but use caution at the outlet. (If skied from the Meadows Lane/Marcy Dam Truck Trail trailhead, DEC Rangers do not want any parking on the right side of the plowed turnout. Good parking on the left side, and then there's the road.)

CONNERY POND TO WHITEFACE LANDING:  Skiable, but still a bit thin on the hills on the new start. Pond is crossable and is the best access..  

HAYS BROOK TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely very skiable to both Grass Pond and the Sheep Meadow.  So far this season, the parking area continues to be plowed. (Yay!)

FISH POND TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely skiable, and loop back on the ponds now very doable.

RAQUETTE FALLS:  Skiable.  

GULF BROOK ROAD TO BOREAS PONDS: Skiable. Parking area not being plowed, so far this season, but parking on the road is possible - just not ideal. All culverts and bridges have been repaired/replaced. As of late December, one tree down just short of the ponds.

NEWCOMB LAKE ROAD TO CAMP SANTANONI: Good skiing to Camp Santanoni. Moose Pond trail has some blowdown that may not be removed this winter.

AUSABLE LAKE ROAD:  Fully skiable.  Some snowmobile traffic along with the foot traffic.  

       We have picked up 4-5" of snow overnight, and the snow is continuing - perhaps for the rest of the day. So, this looks to be a storm that won't disappoint as far as putting all popular ski routes in good shape. This may include both the Marcy and Wright Peak ski trails, but we'll have to wait until it's over to make that call. Otherwise, Avalanche Pass will surely be skiable, and the groomed centers will be able to groom all of their terrain.

       As the week progresses, we'll post updates on which trails have been broken out. 

       The forecast for the rest of the week indicates cold Tuesday, upper 20s on Wednesday, and then cold the rest of the week and into next weekend.

INTRODUCTION 

                 No real change in conditions since the last report, but once we get past a cold weekend, there is hope for some significant new snow.  National Weather Service just says 90% chance of snow on Monday while Weather Underground predicts 8" for the Lake Placid area. We'll see, but until then the best skiing will be at the groomed centers. Ungroomed trails are still pretty fast with an icy crust due to last Sunday's warm temperatures and freezing rain. Nevertheless, Newcomb Lake Road and Hays Brook Truck Trail are gentle enough to be skiable.

JACKRABBIT TRAIL

          Entire trail has at least minimal cover for skiing, but is not recommended until we pick up more snow. 

CROSS-COUNTRY SKI CENTERS
          CASCADE X-C SKI CENTER:  
          Km Open and Groomed:   5    Track Set:  
          New snow:     Base Depth: 3"  Off Track 5"
          Surface Conditions:  groomed granular
          Remarks:  Ski shop open.

          MOUNT VAN HOEVENBERG:
          Km Open and Groomed:  40 km    Track Set: 30 km
          New snow:         Base Depth: 22" on man-made trails. 3" on natural snow. Off Track: 5"
          Surface Conditions:  Groomed granular 
         Remarks:  17 of 27 trails open including Porter Mt. Loops. Some rough spots on the legacy trails, but overall skiable. Fresh track set on man-made snow loops only. Older set track on most legacy trails.

​           PAUL SMITHS VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
           Km Open: 30 of 40km open.  Track set: 7 km
           New Snow:       Base Depth: 5-6"  Off Track: 10"
           Surface Conditions:  Groomed granular
​           Remarks: Building staffed Thursday - Sunday. Track set on the wider trails where the large groomer can be used. Narrower trails groomed, but no track set.

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:

                19" at Lake Colden
                2-3 feet above 4,000 feet
           
        Icy surfaces everywhere, but the gentlest terrain is skiable. Otherwise, reports below are what will be skiable with 3 or more inches of new snow - whenever that happens.

WHITEFACE HIGHWAY:  Skiable all the way to the Castle.

MARCY DAM TRUCK TRAIL:  Skiable with caution as not all rocks are fully covered. 

HIKING TRAIL FROM ADK LOJ:  Not yet recommended as skiable. 

AVALANCHE PASS: Not yet skiable   Avalanche Lake is frozen and crossable, but use caution at the outlet.

CONNERY POND TO WHITEFACE LANDING:  Just barely skiable cover, All downed trees removed.

HAYS BROOK TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely very skiable to both Grass Pond and the Sheep Meadow.  So far this season, the parking area continues to be plowed. (Yay!)

FISH POND TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely skiable, and loop back on the ponds now very doable.

RAQUETTE FALLS:  Probably not yet skiable.  

GULF BROOK ROAD TO BOREAS PONDS: Parking area not being plowed, so far this season. All culverts and bridges have been repaired/replaced. As of late December, one tree down just short of the ponds.

NEWCOMB LAKE ROAD TO CAMP SANTANONI: Good skiing to Camp Santanoni. Moose Pond trail has some blowdown that may not be removed this winter.

AUSABLE LAKE ROAD:  Fully skiable.  Some snowmobile traffic along with the foot traffic.  

INTRODUCTION 

       Sunday, 1/9, saw some freezing rain and temperatures above freezing for 5-6 hours. No significant loss of snow, but with only the barest dusting of new snow, surface conditions are pretty hard and fast. Best skiing will be at the groomed center until we pick up several inches of new snow. The immediate forecast calls for very cold weather on Tuesday, in the 20s Wednesday and Thursday, and then highs only in the teens through the coming weekend.  So far, no mention of any significant new snow - at least until next week.

            So, until it snows it looks like either Mt. Van Hoevenberg or Paul Smith's VIC.  But we're haven't lost any of the base that we have ever so slowly built up over the past few weeks. 

JACKRABBIT TRAIL

          Entire trail has at least minimal cover for skiing, but is not recommended until we pick up more snow. 

CROSS-COUNTRY SKI CENTERS
          CASCADE X-C SKI CENTER:  
          Km Open and Groomed:       Track Set:  
          New snow:     Base Depth:   Off Track 
          Surface Conditions:  
          Remarks:  Ski shop open, but no grooming

          MOUNT VAN HOEVENBERG:
          Km Open and Groomed:  40 km    Track Set: 5 km
          New snow:         Base Depth: 22" on man-made trails. 3" on natural snow. Off Track: 5"
          Surface Conditions:  Groomed granular 
         Remarks:  17 of 27 trails open including Porter Mt. Loops. Some rough spots on the legacy trails, but overall skiable. Track set on man-made snow loops only

​           PAUL SMITHS VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
           Km Open: 30 of 40km open.  
           New Snow:       Base Depth: 5-6" 
           Surface Conditions:  Groomed granular
​           Remarks: Building staffed Thursday - Sunday.
BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:

                19" at Lake Colden
                2-3 feet above 4,000 feet
           
        Icy surfaces everywhere. Reports below are what will be skiable with 3 or more inches of new snow - whenever that happens.

WHITEFACE HIGHWAY:  Skiable all the way to the Castle.

MARCY DAM TRUCK TRAIL:  Skiable with caution as no all rocks are fully covered. 

HIKING TRAIL FROM ADK LOJ:  Not yet skiable. 

AVALANCHE PASS: Not yet skiable   Avalanche Lake is frozen and crossable, but use caution at the outlet.

CONNERY POND TO WHITEFACE LANDING:  Just barely skiable cover, All downed trees removed.

HAYS BROOK TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely very skiable to both Grass Pond and the Sheep Meadow.  So far this season, the parking area continues to be plowed. (Yay!)

FISH POND TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely skiable, and loop back on the ponds now very doable.

RAQUETTE FALLS:  Probably not yet skiable.  

GULF BROOK ROAD TO BOREAS PONDS: Parking area not being plowed, so far this season. All culverts and bridges have been repaired/replaced. As of late December, one tree down just short of the ponds.

NEWCOMB LAKE ROAD TO CAMP SANTANONI: Good skiing to Camp Santanoni. Moose Pond trail has some blowdown that may not be removed this winter.

AUSABLE LAKE ROAD:  Fully skiable.  Some snowmobile traffic along with the foot traffic.  

ADDITIONAL IMPROVEMENT DURING THE WEEK, BUT ICY PRECIP. ON 1/9:

No great amount of snow over the past few days, but the periodic flurries have definitely improved conditions over the past few days.  The Jackrabbit Trail is now fully skiable, although caution is still advised on any downhill - especially the descent to McKenzie Pond. The Old Mountain Road section in Keene has the best conditions. Some icy precipitation today, but no loss of snow. Colder on Monday, then very cold on Tuesday with some additional flurries. The rest of the week will be warmer, but remain a bit below seasonal normals through the week and into the weekend.   So, plan on good conditions on everything except for the steeper mountain routes (Avalanche Pass, Wright Peak, Mt. Marcy) for the coming weekend.


ORIGINAL POST

During the past week, conditions have improved slightly due to a few flurries, but no significant change from the report and updates below.  Read them as well.

DEC backcountry now reports 19" at Lake Colden, but confirms the report below that Avalanche Pass is still not skiable.  The DEC does report that Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden are frozen.  Still, caution is always necessary at the outlet to Avalanche Lake. To be sure, get on the trail and then cross the outlet on the bridge.

Jackrabbit Trail from Whiteface Inn Lane to McKenzie Pass is just barely skiable to the flats leading to the lean-to, but good from there to the top of the pass.  Snow cover diminishes as one approaches McKenzie Pond, but is still "negotiable".  Old Mountain Road section mostly in good shape, but Chimney Hill and some of the approach from Lake Placid still have some exposed rocks.

Otherwise, truck trail to Marcy Dam is good, and Hays Brook to the Sheep Meadow and Grass Pond are very good with, as reported below, plowed parking.

​Saturday will be a bit on the cold side, but Sunday will be warmer. Hopefully not too much of that "other precipitation" on Sunday before next week brings in a few days of really cold conditions.