weekend report for 12/21-22

INTRODUCTION
Most areas kept at least some base, and the 2" of light snow that fell on Thursday is very welcome.  Nevertheless, there are still thin spots on all trails that are otherwise skiable, so use caution on any downhills as a fall could be painful on the hard ground. Perhaps another inch or so Friday night, and then cold (highs only around 10 on Sunday) for the rest of the weekend. Slowly warming up next week, but more snow possible on Monday. So far, no threat of rain or even above freezing temperatures through Christmas Day.
Next update on Monday when we have a better idea on possible snowfall and how much it will actually warm by the end of the week.
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.  The Keene end of  Old Mountain Road is marginally skiable from Rock and River, but improves as one goes higher, but the final stretch to the top of the pass is still not quite ready. Lake Placid end as far as the very first beaver meadow is skiable, but the climb to the beaver pond needs more snow to cover the rocks. No report on the new section north of Scotts Cobble. McKenzie Pass section also marginally from Whiteface Inn Lane, but better as one approaches the lean-to. Descent to McKenzie Pond still not ready, and there is no base at all 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:  10  Track Set: Some where possible   
          New snow: 2"  Packed Base Depth: 3"   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.  No base survived on most of the trails south of the brook  

         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: some  Track Set: not yet 
         New snow:  2"   Packed Base Depth:  1-2"   Off track: 3"  
          New snow past 72 hours:  2"
          Surface conditions:  Packed powder with thin spots  and some areas blown clear    
          Remarks:  Definitely skiable with some grooming 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: 11  Track Set: none reported   
          New snow:  2"  Packed Base Depth:  2-3" on Legacy trails   Off track: 3" 
          New snow past 72 hours:  2"
          Surface Conditions:   Packed powder with thin spots except good coverage on 2 km of competition trails
         Remarks:  Most Legacy trails on south side (a.k.a. cross-country side) open, but not Porter Mt. No trails on the north side of the road (a.k.a. biathlon side) reported open as of Friday. 

​           PAUL SMITH'S VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
         https://www.paulsmithsvic.org/trailconditions/  518-327-6241
           Km Groomed and Open: 10 km  Track Set: none reported    
           New Snow:  2-3" Packed Base Depth: 3-4"   Off track:  6" 
           New snow past 72 hours:  2-3"
           Surface Conditions:  Packed powder. Some grooming as of Friday with more possible over the weekend.
​           Remarks:  No current online report, but a phone call determined that they held onto most of their base.

            DEWEY MOUNTAIN:
           https://www.facebook.com/deweymountainrecreationcenter  518-891-2697
            Km Open:  ?  Track set: none
           New Snow:  2"  Packed Base Depth:   Off Track:  
           New snow past 72 hours: 2"
           Surface Conditions: 
           Remarks: Lower trails may be open with this 2" of new snow.

           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:  2-3"   Base Depth:  5"    Off track: 10"   
           New snow past 72 hours: 2" 
           Surface Conditions:  Packed powder
​        Remarks:  The system mostly held a good base. The entire system has been groomed and is the best groomed skiing in the area. 

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS
Most of the popular backcountry skis managed to hold some base, but exact surface conditions will be variable.

Marcy Dam, Truck Trail: Skiable with thin spots for the first two miles. Rocks disguised but not covered. 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. 
Fish Pond Truck Trail: Also skiable although the hill at two miles will require caution. Lake ice no yet safe for the alternate return.
Hays Brook Truck Trail: Definitely skiable to both the Sheep Meadow and Grass Pond. The only problem is that so far the Hays Brook parking has not been plowed, so 4WD is essential for that trailhead. 
Newcomb Lake Road: As usual, the best skiing. No report on the road to Moose Pond. 
Gulf Brook Road to Boreas Ponds: No report of condition or parking availability.
Avalanche Pass: Not yet skiable past marcy Dam. Lake Colden had 14" of snow before Thursday's new light snow, so definitely still more than the 8" that requires skis or snowshoes. Avalanche Lake was being crossed a week ago. The thaw may have changed that for a few days, but the very cold temperatures this weekend should make both Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden crossable. 
​Ausable Lake Road: Probably will require about 1/2 mile of walking past the gate, but then skiable to the lake.