Yes, there is some skiing out there

INTRODUCTION: (Updated on 12/28/22)
This is still a somewhat incomplete report but despite the rain there is a base and groomable snow at the x-c centers. The best skiing so far is at the Paul Smith's VIC, but the other groomed x-c centers are also open with a decent amount of terrain. This update includes the new Scotts Cobble Nordic Center at Craig Wood Golf Course. This area offers 10 km of free groomed trails along with rentals, lessons, and a restaurant. We have also included the contact information for these groomed centers, although we cannot guarantee how often or how completely they are updated.

As for the weather, we will see a gradual warming trend with daytime temperatures inching up from upper 20s today, Wednesday, to mid-40s by Friday. There could be 1" of new snow todayy, but the New Year's weekend forecast currently calls for more rain, and unfortunately not much improvement as we move into the New Year. 

JACKRABBIT TRAIL
         Good cover, on all sections. Steeper sections not recommended given that there is a frozen trench that makes any control difficult. There may also be some blowdown that has not yet been dealt with. Again, any reports of blowdown are appreciated as that will help identify problem spots. 
              The good news going forward is that a collective effort by BETA and several adjoining landowners has solved the landowner problem on the connection between Craig Wood Golf Course and ADK's Cascade Welcome Center.

        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: 10
          New snow: 1"   Base Depth:  6-8"  Off Track 10-12" 
          New Snow last 72 hours: 1"
          Surface Conditions: Groomed granular and powder
          Remarks:  Remember, 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 free groomed trails on Craig Wood Golf Course - rentals, lessons operated by High Peaks Cyclery
.         https://www.lakeplacid.com/do/activities/high-peaks-mountain-guides-nordic-alpine-touring-tele-ntn-split-board   518-523-3764
          KM Open and Groomed: 10     Track Set: 0

          MOUNT VAN HOEVENBERG:
         https://mtvanhoevenberg.com/nordic-sliding-centers/conditions   518-523-2811
          Km Open and Groomed:  24   Track Set: 24
          New snow: 1"   Base Depth: 6-8" Off track: 10-12"
          New snow past 72 hours: 2"
          Surface Conditions:   Groomed granular and powder
         Remarks: Open on 7 km of the flattest terrain, two other  loops (Inner Loopen and East Mt.) plus 2 km of the "world cup" trails. Additional terrain should be open as the week progresses, but the 12/28 report does not show much more terrain open, and still none of the trails on the Biathlon side of the road.

​           PAUL SMITH'S VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
          https://trailhub.org/ts/AJqsdStcVzW7Mjrr4MJh  518-327-6241
           Km Open:  Approximately 30  Track set: ?  
           New Snow: 1"    Base Depth: 8-10" Off track: 12-15"
           New snow past 72 hours: 1" 
           Surface Conditions:   Groomed granular and powder
​           Remarks: Some trails still listed in the yellow "caution" category, but the entire system is open and skiable.

            DEWEY MOUNTAIN:
           https://www.facebook.com/deweymountainrecreationcenter  518-891-2697
            Km Open:    Track set:  
           New Snow:     Base Depth:  Off track: 
           New snow past 72 hours:
           Surface Conditions:  
​           Remarks: As of 12/28, Dewey reports lower trails groom ed and track-set. Upper trails packed with a few thin spots..

           TUPPER LAKE X-C SKI TRAILS
           https://www.facebook.com/Tupper-Lake-Groomed-XC-Trails-102907273119538/  518-359-8370
            Km Open:  Approximately 7   Track set: 7km  
           New Snow: 2"    Base Depth: ?  Off track: ?
           New snow past 72 hours: 2"
           Surface Conditions:  groomed granular and powder
​           Remarks: Facebook page reports good conditions

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:

                 Snow depth at Lake Colden:  20"  
                3-4' above 4,000 feet 
                Skis or snowshoes are now required by regulation in the High Peaks, and advisable. Pretty much only the flatter terrain where most hill can be "run straight" are really skiable. The breakable crust mostly supports a person on skis, but weighting a ski for a turn will break the crust, There may be those who can handle such conditions, but  most are advised to stick to the flats.
           
WRIGHT PEAK SKI TRAIL: Enough cover that it had been skiable

MARCY TRAIL:  Marginally skiable up to Indian Falls. Then good "early season" conditions above there. Snowshoe traffic and some postholing are a problem for skiers, but that is often the case until later in the season.

WHITEFACE HIGHWAY:  Cover all the way from the Toll House to the Castle. Likely not too fast for a straight descent.

MARCY DAM TRUCK TRAIL:  Skiable, but the few steep hills may be problematic due to the frozen trench from before the storm.. 

HIKING TRAIL FROM ADK LOJ:  Not really skiable, although completely covered

AVALANCHE PASS:  Not really skiable due to the difficulty of control on the steeper terrain.

CONNERY POND TO WHITEFACE LANDING:  Skiable except for the hills on the new start. No report on whether the lake ice is crossable, avoiding these initial hills.

HAYS BROOK TRUCK TRAIL:  Very good conditions reported. We appreciate Trevor's report that the parking lot is plowed, allowing access to the good conditions. We'll see what we can do about the blowdown.

FISH POND TRUCK TRAIL:  Probably skiable up to the first big climb, but, no reports.  

RAQUETTE FALLS:  Not skiable

GULF BROOK ROAD TO BOREAS PONDS: Unfortunately no plowing so far. This is too bad because there is about 2' of base with 3-4" of nice powder on a mostly solid crust. Tracked to the top of the climb about two miles from the road. Should be easy to continue to the ponds.

NEWCOMB LAKE ROAD TO CAMP SANTANONI: Definitely skiable with 2-3" of new snow on the frozen base.

AUSABLE LAKE ROAD: Skiable, but the one steep hill is a challenge.