Yes, it snowed

UPDATED TO 5:00 PM , Saturday, 11/30

If you live here, you know what happened. The snow stopped as of Friday morning with the Lake Placid area managing to pick up 3-4" of heavy, wet snow over the course of Thanksgiving day with maybe another half-inch since then. Tupper Lake has benefitted from 4-6" of lake effect snow, so those trails are groomed and offering likely the best groomed skiing in the area. No current report from the Paul Smith's VIC, but they could have also benefitted from some lake effect snow.  Temperatures will remain cold over the weekend, and chill even more through the end of next week, so if you can't get out this weekend, it will still be white next weekend.

As for what's skiable, the Whiteface Highway will, of course, be the best skiing. Photos below of conditions enjoyed by many on Friday. Upwards of 30 vehicles parked at the Toll House.

Lake Placid golf courses are also be just barely skiable, but you'll probably need Maxiglide or a similar product to prevent clogging given that the snow is wet, the ground isn't frozen, and it is now a bit below freezing.

Other skiing opportunities include 3 km of thin, groomed skiing at ADK's Cascade Welcome Center. Mt. Van Hoevenberg reports that they are still making snow, but are not reporting any trails as open for skiing. 

As for the Marcy Dam Truck Trail, that is skiable. Cover is very thin at the start, but slowly, slowly improves until it is deep enough to cover most rocks as of the crossing of Pelkey Brook at about 2 miles from the register. As of Saturday evening, the barriers are not in place, and there are tire tracks on the road to South Meadow. Eight inches of snow at ADK Loj, but the hiking trail would be a poor choice to ski.

Farther west, the Fish Pond Truck Trail is also likely skiable, although the big hill two miles in may not have enough cover to permit a fast descent.  And given the pattern of the snowfall, we just have to assume that the Newcomb Lake Road to Camp Santanoni is very skiable.

Those planning on hiking should be prepared with snowshoes if going above about 2,500 feet. As of earlier this week, Lake Colden reported 7" of snow, and that was before Thursday's snow. The rule in the High Peaks is that snowshoes or skis are required when there is 8" or more of snow. Summits will be cold and windy while not offereing much of a view for several more days.

​No lake ice is yet crossable.

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