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Ski Trail Conditions
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Skiing Again

1/17/2020

6 Comments

 
1/19 UPDATE:

     In the end, only 2-3"of new snow, but conditions now are good on any place except the low-lying routes that are particularly rough like Raquette Falls.  Other minor updates are included below.

1/18/20 UPDATE:

      The chance for some more significant snow has increased with perhaps 4-6" now possible by Sunday at noon. If that actually happens, most of the trails that still had a few rocks showing will be fully covered, and rougher trails such as Raquette Falls will finally be skiable.  Stay tuned.

INTRODUCTION

      Yesterday the area picked up 4-6" of somewhat dense powder snow.  Where there was still a base, this wet snow will tend to stick to the base and make for some good skiing for the weekend. While it will be cold and blistery today, temperatures will moderate to the 20s and near 30 on Sunday before dropping back to the teens for highs Monday through Wednesday.  Skiers should be aware that the thaw finished with high winds on Sunday, and we weren't able to get out and check every trail for blowdown during the "window" before yesterday's snow.

         JACKRABBIT TRAIL
        The smoother sections close to Lake Placid are again very skiable, the Old Mt. Road  section can be recommended with caution because there was very little base left after the thaw.  Craig Wood Golf Course to River Rd., River Rd. to the Lake Placid Club Golf Courses, and the Peninsula Section are again in good shape.  The section heading toward Saranac Lake from Whiteface Inn Lane held a base and is good skiing to the top of the pass.  The upper part of the descent to mcKenzie Pond is probably fine, but there was virtually no base left on the trail in from McKenzie Pond Rd,, so be aware that there are likely hazards on the lower third of the descent. It is thin but skiable in as far as the pond. Update: If we get the predicted4-6", all will be skiable. 

CROSS-COUNTRY SKI CENTERS
          CASCADE X-C SKI CENTER:  
          Km Open and Groomed: 15   KmTrack Set: 10
          New snow:  3".    Base Depth: 5"  Off Track 9"
          Surface Conditions:  Packed powder 
          Remarks:  Restaurant and ski shop open

          MOUNT VAN HOEVENBERG:
          Km Open and Groomed:  49    Km Track Set: 30
          New snow:  3".    Base Depth: 5"  off Track 12"
          Surface Conditions:  Packed powder 
          Remarks: Everything except the outer loop of the Ladies 5 km. Track set everywhere except East Mt. and Porter Mt.
​

           PAUL SMITHS VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
           Km Open and Groomed:  37  
           New Snow:   3".    Base Depth: 8"
           Surface Conditions:  Packed powder
       Remarks:  All trails groomed with some track-setting planned for Friday.

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
            Snowshoes or skis are required in the High Peaks when there is 12" or more of snow on the ground.   There is again about 24" at Lake Colden and 3-4 feet at 4,000 feet. 

WHITEFACE HIGHWAY:  Skiable all the way to the Castle.

MARCY DAM TRUCK TRAIL:  Just enough cover to ski with caution. The rocks are still not really "covered", just "disguised".

HIKING TRAIL FROM ADK LOJ:  Possibly skiable, but not recommended.

AVALANCHE PASS:  Still somewhat rough past Marcy Dam, but the pass itself is in good shape.  Lake ice on Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden is being crossed. Be cautious around all inlets and outlets - especially the outlet to Avalanche Lake where the safest course is to exit on the western shore and cross the outlet on the bridge.

CONNERY POND TO WHITEFACE LANDING:  Skiable with caution as not all rocks are covered.  Some washouts, but all are easily crossable. 
​
HAYS BROOK TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely skiable to both Grass Pond and the Sheep Meadow,  Some blowdown past the crossing of Hays Brook.  Two of the trees are a bit of an effort to get around, but they don't detract from the overall experience.  Use caution on the steep hill that descends to Hays Brook.

FISH POND TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely fully covered from the parking area.  

GULF BROOK ROAD TO BOREAS PONDS: Parking area has been plowed, but not after this recent snowfall. Still doable with 4WD, and just a bit harder with 2WD.  Some culverts washed out in the Halloween storm, but the first is crossable, and the second only requires a short detour.  Trail broken as far as the inner gate.

NEWCOMB LAKE ROAD TO CAMP SANTANONI: 6" new snow on a 6" base. Definitely still the best skiing. Moose Pond Trail also has good cover, but there is an undetermined amount of  uncleared blowdown.

AUSABLE LAKE ROAD:  Now can be recommended for skiing with 4" of new snow on an icy base. 
6 Comments
Paul Smith
1/26/2020 08:45:51 am

I have relied on the trail conditions reports to make decision about coming north from Pennsylvania for years. In the past the reports were up to date and timely. Now it is Jan 26, the last update was Jan 19. Things change over that period, especially with the variable weather. I’m disappointed that reports on trail conditions are not maintained at least prior to a weekend.

Reply
Josh Wilson
1/26/2020 10:02:38 am

Hi Paul,
Thanks for the feedback. The information in our FREE conditions report is gathered and published by volunteers who must either observe or predict conditions on ungroomed backcountry trails covering a massive area with diverse topography and elevations. We've experienced shifting weather patterns throughout the season which has made it very difficult to rely on anecdotal knowledge of conditions based on weather. In short, we're doing the best we can.

The reports have been frequent throughout the season. This week we fell behind a little (the person who oversees these reports is away on vacation). Apologies if this impacted your decision to visit the area.

Yesterday we skied the main 25-mile section of the Jackrabbit Ski Trail to observe conditions first hand. A report will be published ASAP with this information as well as conditions for other trails.

Additionally this weekend is our 28th annual ski-to-swim party, an event that requires a lot of planning and work to pull-off. This is our primary "member appreciation" event of the year and as such it takes priority over everything else we do during this time of the month of January.

Since it sounds like you are very reliant on the ski conditions reports we publish (and the trails we build & maintain), you are welcome and encouraged to support the work of our organization by becoming a member.

https://www.betatrails.org/join-beta.html

Happy skiing,
Josh Wilson
Executive Director
BETA

Reply
Dave
1/27/2020 02:42:59 pm

Josh. I wanted to weigh in on Paul's post. I can't tell you how much we the Ski Community appreciate the updates that you provide. I know that it can't be easy because of the vast nature of the ADK. I also live in PA and rely on your report and many other resources for conditions when I come up to ski, Most of us know that this is a FREE service you provide. I thought your note to Paul was right on point.

Keep up the good work,and If I'm in the area I will reach out to you to volunteer.

Thanks,

Dave

Josh Wilson
1/28/2020 11:18:06 am

Hi Dave,
Thank you for the note and the expression of gratitude. Of course we feel the conditions reports are important and we make every effort to keep them up to date...and we are happy to provide this service to the general public. However there are many other things to deal with when maintaining over 100 miles of un-groomed backcountry and community trails and we don't always get the conditions information out as quickly as some people would like. As you noted there are other sources of information for trail conditions besides this report, and we are going to see about compiling this information on this site as additional references for weather and snow cover data.
Cheers,
Josh
BETA

Reply
Tony C
1/31/2020 07:31:14 pm

It’s been a real tough season so far, and it’s been difficult to ski at all. There’s been days, even a couple weeks at a time that skiing was basically not worth it. Especially if you have to travel a distance for it. I wanted to express my gratitude to Josh, Tony (G), and all the volunteers of BETA for all that they do. I try to add a comment if I’ve been somewhere that you folks didn’t get to, to offer some info. Paul, I hope you continue to look to this site for info and continue to enjoy our region!

Reply
Paul Smith
2/3/2020 08:48:23 am

You were right on point Josh, I do appreciate the volunteer nature of the work you all do. I apologize for the nature of my somewhat critical post. I fear global warming will be a problem for all of us who rely on Mother Nature to provide reliable snow. I intend to support BETA by becoming a member. Keep up the good work.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Trail Conditions 101

    ​Trail condition reports are posted frequently during the ski season.  The Adirondack backcountry can be a hard place to predict with weather and trail conditions that often change rapidly.  We can't offer the same detailed descriptions of trail conditions as groomed nordic centers. 

    Always plan ahead for your outing, be prepared with proper clothing, equipment, maps and emergency supplies, and check local weather conditions as well before departing on your trip.

    Maps - don't leave home with them!

    For trails in the High Peaks Wilderness area, we recommend purchasing the High Peaks Adirondack Trail Map from the Adirondack Mountain Club.  

    For trails outside of the High Peaks area, we recommend purchasing the Lake Placid & Saranac Lake Winter Trails Map from Green Goat Maps, which covers the Jackrabbit Ski Trail and other adjacent ski touring opportunities.

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BARKEATER TRAILS ALLIANCE (BETA)
volunteer driven - member supported - human powered


Address
P.O. Box 843 - ​Lake Placid, NY 12946

Telephone

518.523.1365

Email

josh@betatrails.org
  • Home
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    • Contact Us
    • Gallery
  • Donate
  • Bike Trails
    • Ride With Gratitude
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      • Three Sisters (Quaker Mountain)
    • Lake Placid >
      • Lussi Trails
      • Loggers Loops
      • Craig Wood Trails
    • Saranac Lake >
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    • Elizabethtown >
      • Otis Mountain
      • Blueberry Hill
    • Keene
    • electric MTBs
  • Ski Trails
    • Jackrabbit Ski Trail >
      • State of the Jackrabbit
      • Lake Clear JCT to Pauls Smith's VIC
      • Saranac Lake to McKenzie Pond Road
      • McKenzie Pond Road to Whiteface Inn
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  • events
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  • Volunteer
  • Blog
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