Spring skiing edition

UPDATE 3/26/26
Temperatures rose into the 50s on Thursday, which was about 10 degrees warmer than originally predicted. And now it looks like mostly rain before the cold front comes through to cool things down to the 20s for Friday and Saturday. So, any predictions of snow cover below should not be assumed to be current. With the weekend cool down, the best bet is to enjoy the final weekend of grooming at the Paul Smith's VIC. Back to the 40s for highs next week, and we'll try to get a handle on backcountry conditions going forward.

INTRODUCTION
There hasn't been much recovery from the meltdown earlier this month, but there is still skiing to be had. It's definitely spring conditions so expect hard, frozen surfaces whenever the temperature is below freezing. Wednesday will warm up with some sun. Thursday will also be warm, but with a chance of rain followed by much colder temperatures Friday through Sunday. Unless the cold front on Thursday night produces more snow than the inch currently predicted, good conditions will only be at the areas that are still grooming.  The high winds last Tuesday mean that there could be new trees down, so keep that in mind on any fast downhills, and report any you find on the Jackrabbit Trail so we can be ready if it snows again. (Thanks for the report of the tree down near McKenzie Pond.)

JACKRABBIT TRAIL
Some sections are skiable, but best to wait until the temperatures have warmed up several degrees above freezing.
McKenzie Pass Section still has good cover from Whiteface Inn Lane to the top of the pass and down most of the way to McKenzie Pond. Then thin but skiable out to McKenzie Pond Road.  
Old Mountain Road Section is also skiable with care. The new start is thin, but manageable and it improves from there. No report on whether the beaver pond on the Lake Placid side can still be crossed. 
Other sections may be skiable, but no specific reports.

GROOMED CENTERS  

        SCOTTS COBBLE NORDIC CENTER
         15 km of groomed trails on Craig Wood Golf Course - rentals, lessons operated by High Peaks Cyclery. Trail fee of $15/day - $10/half-day. Residents of the Tri-Lakes area ski for free (Donations appreciated)       scottscobblenordic.com.
518-523-9811 or 518-523-3742
          KM Open and Groomed:   Track Set: 
          Remarks:  Closed for now, but ready to reopen if it snows..
          MOUNT VAN HOEVENBERG:
        https://mtvanhoevenberg.com/daily-update/   518-523-2811
          Km Open and Groomed:  Track Set:   
         Legacy loops have  thin cover and are not being groomed with only the Flatlander officially listed as open. Competition loops are being groomed and have very good cover thanks to the preparations for the World Cup races..        
 PAUL SMITH'S VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
         https://www.paulsmithsvic.org/trailconditions/  518-327-6241
           Km Groomed and Open: 15 km  Track Set: 15 km 
           Remarks: Most wider trails groomed and set with good skiing as of Wednesday. Continued grooming through the weekend should keep the skiing good even with the colder temperatures. This will be their last week of grooming and the lodge will be closed as of Sunday.    
             DEWEY MOUNTAIN:
           https://www.facebook.com/deweymountainrecreationcenter  518-891-2697
            Km Open:  5   Track set: 
             Remarks: Lower trails reported as good skiing and the upper trails are open. 
           TUPPER LAKE X-C SKI TRAILS
           https://www.facebook.com/Tupper-Lake-Groomed-XC-Trails-102907273119538/  518-359-8370
            Km Open:    Track set:   
            Surface Conditions:  
​        Remarks:  No current report

          ADK CASCADE WELCOME CENTER (PREVIOUSLY: CASCADE CROSS-COUNTRY SKI CENTER) 
Unfortunately, not operating this winter with its long-term status yet to be determined.

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS
Winter conditions regarding temperatures and snow depth still sufficient to require skis or snowshoes.  Wednesday 3/17  report from Lake Colden says the snow depth at the cabin was 27" and it has not likely changed much since then.  Still 4-5 feet or more of snow with deeper drifts at 4,000 feet.   Lake ice: Use your own judgment, and as always use care around inlets and outlets.    
Whiteface Highway:  The highway should be mostly skiable, but some corners may be bare.
Connery Pond to Whiteface Landing: No current report.
Marcy Dam, Truck Trail:  Meadows Lane now blocked off for the winter. Park on the left to leave room for ranger vehicles with snowmobile trailers in the event of an emergency.  No current report, but back to continuous (if sometimes thin) cover to Marcy Dam.
Fish Pond Truck Trail:   Still skiable based on the base that had accumulated before the meltdown.  The ponds for the alternate return are not likely skiable. 
Hays Brook Truck Trail: Still very skiable according to a report from a ski on Monday. The most recent storm has not been plowed, but 4WD will not have any problem. 
Newcomb Lake Road: As usual, still good skiing despite the meltdown.   
Gulf Brook Road to Boreas Ponds:  Cover right from Blue Ridge Rd. and it has continued to be plowed.
​Raquette Falls: No current report
Avalanche Pass:  The hiking trail is still officially closed due to the July landslide, but the ski trail is open. (Of course the two join up, but that is how at least some are reporting the situation.)  Crossing of Avalanche Lake is now questionable.  Calamity Brook Trail from Upper Works to Flowed Lands, still skiable, but the bridge over Calamity Brook is out and the crossing is likely very difficult. Also, the Opalescent River in Flowed Lands is no longer crossable.
 ​Ausable Lake Road:  Thin cover at the gate and probably no snowmobile traffic.
Wright Peak Ski Trail:  It was skiable up to the divergence from the hiking trail, but no longer. Good cover remains on the top half.  
Mt. Marcy Ski Trail:  Plenty of  snow past Marcy Dam, but crossing of Phelps Brook just above the dam and the crossing of Marcy Brook at Indian Falls could be difficult.  
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