Spring skiing forecast

Executive summary: Wee amounts of snow may refresh trails in the north country on Sunday, but better spring skiing conditions will be in the first part of next week. The warmth and wet weather makes grooming impossible for now. Call ahead.

[3/30 update]: Prospect Mountain and Viking are open.

[3/31 update]: Rikert declared today the last day of their season. Lapland Lake is calling April 1 the last day. Lapland Lake says the drop in skier visits and mechanical problems with grooming equipment contributed to the call, despite a decent base. Cascade and Mt van Hoevenberg are closed today, likely due to rain and/or wind.

Poor weather for the weekend

A storm has moved in from the west. Downstate we’ll see scattered rain showers, but the north country will see more rain and some wind as well. Up north the rain could alternate with some snow; however with the warm temperatures forecast for Saturday the remaining snowpack will get wetter and more compact (if that’s even possible). Trails will be wet and mushy or slick if ice is exposed.

An ominous sign: for the first time this season Prospect Mountain hasn’t updated just before the weekend. Viking is closed Friday and Wild Wings is closed for the weekend.

Hit up the ‘State of the touring centers’ link for details. Snow depth map is below:

On Sunday a cooling trend begins, so precipitation in the mountain regions may change over to snow. The Tug Hill plateau, Adirondack high peaks, and select areas of VT and NH might get a bit of a refresh on the base by end of Sunday before the front moves out. The cooling trend lasts thru Monday.

Does anybody really care what day it is?

With the early week forecast to be a bit cooler and below freezing at night, it looks like a chance for some nice spring skiing in the mornings on Monday and Tuesday, maybe even Wednesday. Advise calling your chosen touring center before you go.

Good time to be someone who sets their clock by the seasons and not the day of the week.

Time for rock skis

More debris and soft, wet snow means breaking out the old waxless skis.

The countdown begins

I’m starting to hear a fat guy readying for his last aria