Yes, It Snowed!

UPDATED TO 1/21/22  Not much has changed since Monday's snow, but the report below includes what we have learned this week. Warmer this weekend - get out and ski!

INTRODUCTION
       Snow fell pretty continuously starting on Sunday night and tapering off mid-afternoon. It was a coastal storm, so the greatest amount of snow, 8", fell in Keene.  Lake Placid picked up about 6", while Saranac Lake received 4-6". The snow was dense, but still powdery, so even 4" will be enough to make for good cover. Still probably not enough for the steeper mountain trails, but good everywhere else.  

       Some additional light snow is predicted for Tuesday and Wednesday. Wednesday's high will be near 30, but then falling to a high of only 5 on Friday before warming into the teens for Saturday and Sunday.

       
JACKRABBIT TRAIL

          Entire trail is now skiable, and all sections between Keene and Saranac Lake have been broken out, Bottom of the McKenzie Pass descent to McKenzie Pond may still be a bit rough, but otherwise that long section is in good shape.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKI CENTERS
          CASCADE X-C SKI CENTER:  
          Km Open and Groomed:  10    Track Set:  
          New snow:  6" last 72 hours   Base Depth: 6"  Off Track 10"
          Surface Conditions:  packed powder
          Remarks:  

          MOUNT VAN HOEVENBERG:
          Km Open and Groomed:  50 km    Track Set: 40 km
          New snow:  6" last 72 hours   Base Depth: 22" on man-made trails. 6" on natural snow. Off Track: 10"
          Surface Conditions: Packed powder 
         Remarks:  

​           PAUL SMITHS VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
           Km Open: 35 of 40 km open.  Track set: 20 km
           New Snow:   8" last 72 hours    Base Depth: 10"  Off Track: 15"
           Surface Conditions:  Packed powder
​           Remarks: Building staffed Thursday - Sunday. All trails except for Fox Run packed. Track set on the edges of the wider trails.

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:

                25" at Lake Colden
                3-4 feet above 4,000 feet
           
        
WHITEFACE HIGHWAY:  Skiable all the way to the Castle.

MARCY DAM TRUCK TRAIL:  Skiable and likely still the better choice for skiing to Marcy Dam. At the trailhead on Adirondak Loj Rd., DEC Rangers do not want any parking on the right side of the plowed turnout. Good parking on the left side, and then there's the road. 

HIKING TRAIL FROM ADK LOJ:  Finally skiable if still a bit rough. Marcy Brook is crossable above the breached dam.  No need to descend to the bridge over the brook below the dam.

AVALANCHE PASS: Finally skiable   Avalanche Lake is frozen and crossable, but use caution at the outlet. (If skied from the Meadows Lane/Marcy Dam Truck Trail trailhead, DEC Rangers do not want any parking on the right side of the plowed turnout. Good parking on the left side, and then there's the road.)

CONNERY POND TO WHITEFACE LANDING:  Skiable, but still a bit thin on the hills on the new start. Pond is crossable and is the best access..  

HAYS BROOK TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely very skiable to both Grass Pond and the Sheep Meadow.  So far this season, the parking area continues to be plowed. (Yay!)

FISH POND TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely skiable, and loop back on the ponds now very doable.

RAQUETTE FALLS:  Skiable.  

GULF BROOK ROAD TO BOREAS PONDS: Skiable. Parking area not being plowed, so far this season, but parking on the road is possible - just not ideal. All culverts and bridges have been repaired/replaced. As of late December, one tree down just short of the ponds.

NEWCOMB LAKE ROAD TO CAMP SANTANONI: Good skiing to Camp Santanoni. Moose Pond trail has some blowdown that may not be removed this winter.

AUSABLE LAKE ROAD:  Fully skiable.  Some snowmobile traffic along with the foot traffic.