This post contains section links to Conditions and Forecast.

Summary

Cross-country skiing is a pretty long drive (4-4.5 hr) from NYC. Coverage is broad but on the thin side (early season conditions). Where areas and trails are open expect thin cover and rock or bare ground underneath. Old skis or ‘rock skis’ recommended.

Although there’s a reasonable chance we’ll see some snow for Christmas, there might not be much even up north.

Conditions

Things are not good for us when Prospect Mountain doesn’t have snow. Lapland Lake is closest but even there it’s pretty thin cover. BETA report as of 12/21 tells of good cover deep in the park above 1500′.

Hit up ‘State of the touring centers‘ or in the menu above for reported conditions as of today. Snow depth graphic below.

Forecast

I’ll let those lovable weather-nerds and bureaucrats at the National Weather Service do the talking for this one. Usually the language is pretty dry and technical, but every so often a bit of emotion creeps into the forecast discussion. See below (emphasis added):

“National Weather Service Burlington VT 402 AM EST Wed Dec 22 2021 .SYNOPSIS… Complicated weather pattern for the weekend as zonal flow keeps things interesting across New England. With respect to the [7pm Tuesday] suite of guidance, can I just say it? Ugh. What has been looking like a fairly widespread light snow event for Saturday looks a little bit more questionable now… At this moment, have kept very close to previous forecast to avoid the inevitable forecast flip-flop with the best chances [for snow vs. rain] along our northern New York and southern VT borders.”

My translation: We could see some snowfall across the northeast late Christmas Eve, but don’t count on much if any accumulation. A slight chance of precipitation on Monday, which could be snow in the north country. That said, the forecast even for Christmas Eve is not easily resolvable yet, so will you be driving home from Christmas parties in snow, rain, or wintery mix? Wait and see.

Overall daytime temperatures through Christmas weekend and early next week are looking to be above freezing for many areas throughout the northeast except at higher elevations or in New Hampshire and Maine adjacent to the Canadian border. The NYC area will be in the low- to mid- 40s. Nightime temps in ski country will be solidly below freezing, so snowmaking operators and groomers will probably be working all night, every night.

Happy Holiday weekend. Thanks for reading.