Some places will survive the thaw

UPDATE 1/5/23:
The thaw continued into Wednesday night with rain most of the night. It was a very cold rain, so not much additional melting. Temperatures will finally drop below freezing, and stay close to freezing through the weekend and into next week. Between Friday and Saturday, we may pick up an inch or so of new snow, but so far no real "game changer" is in sight. The only good news is that those places listed below with six or more inches of snow will still retain a base, so it won't take much more that two-three inches to get at least some of the gentler terrain back in skiable shape.

Both Mt. Van Hoevenberg and Cascade are currently closed. The Paul Smith's VIC still reports that part of their system remains open, but indicates that surface conditions are 'variable' with some ice and some bare spots. 

So, it looks like the "wax of the weekend" will be Microspikes, and at least Sunday will be partly sunny. 

INTRODUCTION
After another few days of warm temperatures and occasional rain showers, some skiable snow still exists in sufficient quantity to survive another two days of high temperatures in the upper 30s. After Wednesday, temperatures do cool down, but so far only the possibility of a few snow showers to cover up the remaining crust.  Areas that have managed to preserve a base will only need an inch or two to be acceptable skiing, but we'll just have to see. 

Meanwhile, a mostly "windshield" survey of the likely local areas has provided the basis for the report below. And for the next two days it will be mostly "spring" conditions with firm  surfaces in the morning followed by softer "corn" conditions.

JACKRABBIT TRAIL
         Based on an initial survey, no section can be recommended for skiing. There is continuous snow leading up from Whiteface Inn Lane, but cover will be thin - at least until the top of the initial climb. The Paul Smiths section has some cover for a short distance leading away from the VIC, but soon becomes pretty much unskiable past White Pine Camp Rd..
              The good news going forward is that a collective effort by BETA and several adjoining landowners has solved the landowner problem on the connection between Craig Wood Golf Course and ADK's Cascade Welcome Center.

        ADK CASCADE WELCOME CENTER (PREVIOUSLY: CASCADE CROSS-COUNTRY SKI CENTER)
         https://adk.org/cascade-welcome-center/   518-837-5047
           Km Open and Groomed:    Track Set: 
          New snow:    Base Depth:   Off Track  
          New Snow last 72 hours: 
          Surface Conditions: 
          Remarks:  No trails open as of 1/6.
For the future 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 free groomed trails on Craig Wood Golf Course - rentals, lessons operated by High Peaks Cyclery
.         https://www.lakeplacid.com/do/activities/high-peaks-mountain-guides-nordic-alpine-touring-tele-ntn-split-board   518-523-3764
          KM Open and Groomed: 0     Track Set: 0

          MOUNT VAN HOEVENBERG:
         https://mtvanhoevenberg.com/nordic-sliding-centers/conditions   518-523-2811
          Km Open and Groomed:    Track Set: 
          New snow:    Base Depth:  Off track: 
          New snow past 72 hours: 
          Surface Conditions:    
         Remarks: Closed for recreational skiing as of 1/6. Likely trying to salvage something for the upcoming World University Games.

​           PAUL SMITH'S VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
          https://trailhub.org/ts/AJqsdStcVzW7Mjrr4MJh  518-327-6241
           Km Open:  Approximately 15  Track set: ?  
           New Snow:     Base Depth:  Off track: 
           New snow past 72 hours:  
           Surface Conditions:   Spring surfaces
​           Remarks: Report for 1/6 indicates 'variable conditions' with some bare spots and some ice. Still, about half of the system remains skiable.

            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:  10".
                3-4' above 4,000 feet 
                Skis or snowshoes are still required by regulation in the High Peaks as the snow depth remain 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:  As of 1/6, there is spotty, but still skiable, cover at the Toll House. Likely bare areas at the usual windy corners.

MARCY DAM TRUCK TRAIL:  Maybe still marginally skiable.

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: As of 1/6,  still some base left, and the trail remains skiable to both the Sheep Meadow and Grassy Pond. The parking lot is plowed. All blowdown has been cut through. Thanks to those who did that work. A final newer piece of blowdown near the Sheep Meadow taken care of today.

FISH POND TRUCK TRAIL: 6" of base at the trailhead. No additional information, but likely good skiing with a few more inches.  

RAQUETTE FALLS:  Not skiable

GULF BROOK ROAD TO BOREAS PONDS: 8" of base at the trailhead, and a few spots have been plowed for parking.

NEWCOMB LAKE ROAD TO CAMP SANTANONI: 7" of base remain, so good skiing again with a bit more new snow.

AUSABLE LAKE ROAD: 3-4" of packed base at the gate. Skiable although fast on the steepest hill.