weekend conditions 12/14-15

INTRODUCTION
Some rain Wednesday, heavy at times, reduced the snow depth, but didn't eliminate it in most of the Tri-Lakes area. And with 2-4" of new snow on top of a now very firm base, skiing continues this weekend.  Looking ahead, however, it seems that we're in a cycle where, 'If it's raining, it must be Tuesday' with no clear forecast for new snow for the same recovery we had this past week.  As always, 'stay tuned'.
JACKRABBIT TRAIL
The smoother sections such as River Road to the Lake Placid Club and Craig Wood to Birdsong Lane remain skiable. Also some of the Paul Smiths section between the VIC and south of Rt, 86. Lumber operations will likely prevent a through ski to Lake Clear Jct.  Parts of the Old Mountain Road were skiable last weekend, but not so much this weekend. McKenzie Pass section still not quite ready yet, and it appears to be quite thin starting in from McKenzie Pond Road. 

GROOMED CENTERS

        ADK CASCADE WELCOME CENTER (PREVIOUSLY: CASCADE CROSS-COUNTRY SKI CENTER)
         https://adk.org/cascade-welcome-center/   518-837-5047
           Km Open and Groomed:  1  Track Set:   
          New snow: 2"  Packed Base Depth: 4"   Off Track: 5"   
          New Snow last 72 hours: 2"
          Surface Conditions: Packed powder on hardpack with thin spots
          Remarks: Northside trails open as of Friday, more might be open Saturday. 

         SCOTTS COBBLE NORDIC CENTER - NEW
         10 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:  10 Track Set: not yet 
         New snow:  2"   Packed Base Depth:  2-3"   Off track: 4"  
          New snow past 72 hours:  2"
          Surface conditions:  Packed powder with thin spots  and some areas blown clear    
          Remarks:  Definitely skiable, but limited on the upper course. More cover on the lower course.
          MOUNT VAN HOEVENBERG:
        https://mtvanhoevenberg.com/daily-update/   518-523-2811
          Km Open and Groomed: 2  Track Set: none reported   
          New snow:  2"  Packed Base Depth:  2-3" on Legacy trails   Off track: 8" 
          New snow past 72 hours:  2"
          Surface Conditions:   Packed powder on competition trails
         Remarks:  Back to just a few km on the competition trails.
​           PAUL SMITH'S VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
         https://www.paulsmithsvic.org/trailconditions/  518-327-6241
           Km Groomed and Open: ?  Track Set: none reported    
           New Snow:   Packed Base Depth:   Off track:  
           New snow past 72 hours:  
           Surface Conditions:  
​           Remarks:  No current online report, but their base should have survived that thaw. We'll try to get more information by phone.

            DEWEY MOUNTAIN:
           https://www.facebook.com/deweymountainrecreationcenter  518-891-2697
            Km Open: 5  Track set: 
           New Snow:  2"  Packed Base Depth:   Off Track:  
           New snow past 72 hours: 2"
           Surface Conditions:  packed powder with thin spots
           Remarks: Lower trails open with caution advised.

           TUPPER LAKE X-C SKI TRAILS
           https://www.facebook.com/Tupper-Lake-Groomed-XC-Trails-102907273119538/  518-359-8370
            Km Open: 10   Track set:    Some 10
           New Snow:  5"   Base Depth:  10"    Off track: 15-20"   
           New snow past 72 hours:  No specific report of total snow - just three another dose of lake effect snow
           Surface Conditions:  Packed powder
​           Remarks:  The system entire system has been groomed. 

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS
Most of the popular backcountry skis managed to hold some base, but exact surface conditions will be variable.
The Marcy Dam, Fish Pond, and Hays Brook truck trails remain very skiable. Meadows Lane is now blocked off for the winter, adding a mile to the ski to Marcy Dam. Last week, the hiking trail to Marcy Dam was reported as skiable, but not likely now. The only problem is that the Hays Brook parking has not been plowed, so 4WD is essential for that trailhead. Newcomb Lake Road was good last weekend and remains good this weekend. No information on Gulf Brook Road to Boreas Ponds. Lake Colden had 15" of snow before Thursday's new light snow, so definitely still more than the 8" that requires skis or snowshoes. Still not likely enough cover to ski past Marcy Dam. Ausable Lake Road probably will require about 1/2 mile of walking past the gate.