slow improvement and maybe snow on friday

INTRODUCTION  
      While the skiing is hardly ideal for mid-January, the 2-3" of wet snow that fell after the rain has allowed most areas that had held onto some base to again be skiable. We did experience a bit more rain Tuesday night, but temperatures are falling, and there is hope for up to 8" of new snow by late on Friday. 

JACKRABBIT TRAIL
         All sections can now be skied, but caution is required as the base on most sections is thin enough that rocks and roots present periodic hazards. Especially thin is the start of the trail to McKenzie Pond from McKenzie Pond Road.  There may again be short, wet sections until the temperatures drop. And one it does drop, the hills will be very fast until we get more snow. 

        ADK CASCADE WELCOME CENTER (PREVIOUSLY: CASCADE CROSS-COUNTRY SKI CENTER)
         https://adk.org/cascade-welcome-center/   518-837-5047
           Km Open and Groomed: 10    Track Set: 5km 
          New snow:  2-3"  Base Depth: 3-4"   Off Track 3-4"  
          New Snow last 72 hours: 2-3"
          Surface Conditions: Groomed powder and granular
          Remarks: About 2/3 of the system is open with some track set where the base remains deep enough. Will be hard and fast until we get more snow.
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: 10     Track Set: 0
          As of 1/18, skiers asked to stay off trails until it cools down. Trails have been groomed, and with luck Friday's snow will have the area back in full operation with track set.  

          MOUNT VAN HOEVENBERG:
         https://mtvanhoevenberg.com/nordic-sliding-centers/conditions   518-523-2811
          Km Open and Groomed:  15km  Track Set: ? 
          New snow:  2-3"  Base Depth: 2"  Off track: 4" 
          New snow past 72 hours: 2-3"
          Surface Conditions:    Groomed powder and granular
         Remarks: Now partially open for recreational skiing. Flat terrain on X-C side plus Main Street and East Hill. Another  7-8 km open on the biathlon side. Remaining area closed due to the World University Games or insufficient cover.

​           PAUL SMITH'S VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
          https://trailhub.org/ts/AJqsdStcVzW7Mjrr4MJh  518-327-6241
           Km Open: 20   Track set: 0  
           New Snow:  3"   Base Depth: 4"  Off track: 4-6" 
           New snow past 72 hours:  3"
           Surface Conditions:  Groomed granular
​           Remarks: Freezing rain last night and a shift to flurries this morning. Trails are still in good shape with no new grooming. Best Conditions on Jenkins Mountain Trail, Skidder, Easy street, and Loggers Loop.  ~01/18/23 09:50 am as posted by the VIC. Jenkins Mt. Backcountry Ski Zone closed until more snow.

            DEWEY MOUNTAIN:
           https://www.facebook.com/deweymountainrecreationcenter  518-891-2697
            Km Open:    Track set:  
           New Snow:     Base Depth:  Off track: 
           New snow past 72 hours:
           Surface Conditions:  
​           Remarks: No skiing

           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: 
           Surface Conditions:  
​           Remarks: Closed for now

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:

                 Snow depth at Lake Colden:  12".
                3-4' above 4,000 feet 
                Skis or snowshoes are still required by regulation in the High Peaks as the snow depth remains above the 8" threshold. Snowshoes still advisable on other higher terrain, and good traction will be needed as the temperatures fall. 

WRIGHT PEAK SKI TRAIL: Still enough cover to be skiable above the hiking trail - at least once we get a bit more snow.

MARCY TRAIL:  Not really skiable until we pick up some more snow.

WHITEFACE HIGHWAY:  Skiable starting at the Toll House. Likely thin to bare at the usual windy corners.

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

HIKING TRAIL FROM ADK LOJ:  Not really skiable. 

AVALANCHE PASS:  Not really skiable.

CONNERY POND TO WHITEFACE LANDING:  No current report

HAYS BROOK TRUCK TRAIL: The parking lot has been plowed, and should be accessible even if the recent snow isn't 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 reported as good.

FISH POND TRUCK TRAIL:  Skiable, but just barely, even before this new snow, so likely skiable now. Lakes probably not skiable until we have a few cold nights.  

RAQUETTE FALLS:  Not skiable

GULF BROOK ROAD TO BOREAS PONDS: A good base at the trailhead, and more reported once past the initial climb. Good skiing with the new snow.  A few spots have been plowed for parking.

NEWCOMB LAKE ROAD TO CAMP SANTANONI: Also a good base remains, but not much new snow unfortunately. Hard and fast in the hardwoods, and somewhat icy under the occasional thick pine. As little as 2" of new snow would make it good skiing again.

AUSABLE LAKE ROAD: 1-2" of packed base at the gate, and again skiable to the lake.