Winter Conditions at last

UPDATE: 1/17/24:
       First of all, thanks for the comments that have expanded on our knowledge of what's skiable - and what's not. Tuesday's somewhat unexpected 5' of light fluff has definitely improved conditions on many trails - particularly Connery Pond and Raquette Falls that seemed iffy before then. Tupper Lake had some good lake effect snow today, so those trails are in even better shape than they were last weekend when they were able to hold a race there. Given the recent high winds, downed trees will be an issue, but BETA should be able to take care of the trees on at least Hays Brook and Connery Pond in addition to the Jackrabbit Trail.  
         Meanwhile, Cascade Welcome Center is fully open with some set track. Van Ho has at least rolled most of their Legacy Trails (except Porter, so far), and the VIC has probably the best skiing. Bundle up for the weekend, but it's looking like good conditions underfoot.

INTRODUCTION

Even though it's now mid-January, this is report will seem more like an "early" winter report. However, with additional light snow periodically through the week, this weekend will offer a number of possibilities.  And it will be truly winter with weekend highs barely making it out of the single digits. Updates on this report as the week progresses. Right now, ungroomed areas are 1-3" inches on likely a somewhat breakable crust. We can hope that a few more inches and the crust won't be a problem.

JACKRABBIT TRAIL
         All sections are covered, but this light powder does not fully cover up all the rough spots, so be careful - especially on any downhills. There may also be trees down as we haven't been able to sweep the entire trail.

        ADK CASCADE WELCOME CENTER (PREVIOUSLY: CASCADE CROSS-COUNTRY SKI CENTER)
         https://adk.org/cascade-welcome-center/   518-837-5047
           Km Open and Groomed:  15  Track Set:  
          New snow:  3"  Packed Base Depth: 3"   Off Track: 5"   
          New Snow last 72 hours: 3"
          Surface Conditions: Packed powder
          Remarks: Thin cover but good skiing with most icy spots now covered. Not yet enough depth to set track.  Fischer light backcountry waxable skis on sale for $50.00
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. 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: 
         New snow:  3"  Packed Base Depth: 3"   Off track: 1-6"  
          New snow past 72 hours: 3"
          Surface conditions:     Packed Powder       
          Remarks: Wind on Sunday made accumulation uneven. Grooming today, Monday, should be able to improve conditions. More detailed report by the end of the day.

          MOUNT VAN HOEVENBERG:
        https://mtvanhoevenberg.com/daily-update/   518-523-2811
          Km Open and Groomed: 28  Track Set: 5 km  
          New snow: 3"   Packed Base Depth: 15" on manmade snow, 3" on Legacy trails   Off track:  5"
          New snow past 72 hours: 3"
          Surface Conditions:  Packed powder  
         Remarks:  Upper competition trails not open.  Legacy trails on X-C side open except for Porter plus a few trails on the biathlon side. Access to most biathlon-side trails blocked by construction on the pump house.

​           PAUL SMITH'S VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
         https://www.paulsmithsvic.org/trailconditions/  518-327-6241
           Km Groomed and Open: 30    Track Set: some - where possible   
           New Snow:  4" Packed Base Depth:  3-6"  Off track: 10" 
           New snow past 72 hours:  8"
           Surface Conditions:   Packed Powder
​           Remarks:   All trails open with set track where possible. Esker Loop still has a caution symbol.

            DEWEY MOUNTAIN:
           https://www.facebook.com/deweymountainrecreationcenter  518-891-2697
            Km Open: 10  Track set: 
           New Snow:   3"   
           New snow past 72 hours: 7"
           Surface Conditions:  Packed powder
           Remarks: Lower trails have good cover, but a bit more snow needed to set track. Upper trails ungroomed but skiable .

           TUPPER LAKE X-C SKI TRAILS
           https://www.facebook.com/Tupper-Lake-Groomed-XC-Trails-102907273119538/  518-359-8370
            Km Open: 10   Track set:    no mentiion
           New Snow:  4-6"   Base Depth: 5"    Off track: 6-8"   
           New snow past 72 hours:  6-8"
           Surface Conditions:  Powder
​           Remarks:  Most of the system is groomed

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:

                 Snow depth at Lake Colden:  15" new. We'll await DEC's Thursday, 1/18 report. 
                
                Skis or snowshoes are required by regulation in the High Peaks when the snow depth is  8" or above. Not now required at trailheads, but skis or snowshoes now required for those venturing to higher terrain. The weekend storms were  definitely elevation-dependent, so expect much greater snow depth above 3,000 feet. And above 4,000 feet expect 5-6' since the earlier snow did not melt at that elevation.

WRIGHT PEAK SKI TRAIL:  No report, but not likely skiable until above the hiking trail portion.

MARCY TRAIL:  Not yet skiable until some point short of Indian Falls

WHITEFACE HIGHWAY:  Skiable starting at the Toll House. Some windblown sections on the usual turns.

MARCY DAM TRUCK TRAIL:  Skiable to Marcy Dam, but not all rocks are fully covered.

HIKING TRAIL FROM ADK LOJ: Not yet skiable.   

AVALANCHE PASS:  Upper part skiable, but no skiable connection to Marcy Dam.

CONNERY POND TO WHITEFACE LANDING:  No report, but now likely skiable.

HAYS BROOK TRUCK TRAIL: No report on whether the parking lot has been plowed so far this winter, but with this new snow on a smooth road this is a good choice. Some trees down from an earlier windstorm.

FISH POND TRUCK TRAIL:  Report says skiable to Fish Pond.  Lakes not  skiable.  

RAQUETTE FALLS:  Not likely skiable yet

GULF BROOK ROAD TO BOREAS PONDS:  Good cover to the ponds.  No spots had been plowed for parking as of 1/15. Please register if you ski there to help justify continued plowing.

NEWCOMB LAKE ROAD TO CAMP SANTANONI: Near perfect conditions on that ski. 

AUSABLE LAKE ROAD: Covered and skiable, but with a breakable crust outside of a sometimes icy snowshoe track.