Backcountry Update
Check back here regularly for updated, backcountry weather and snow conditions for northern New York and New England.
Early February – Backcountry Powder is Back!
After a short-term warm up (aka January Thaw) and associated rainfall during the last week of January across the northeast, new snowfall totals exceeding 30″ in some areas of northern Vermont’s Green Mountains (but generally 5-15″ elsewhere in the north country and into Quebec) have freshened up the skiing once again in the backcountry and in many off-piste areas near ski areas. Since the rather durable crust leftover from the thaw now lingers under this new snow, the smoothest skiing is generally found in low to mid angle terrain on wind-sheltered aspects (especially NE to S). However, steeper lines in the northern Green Mountains are skiing very nicely right now with 15-25″+ of new snow falling since the thaw. Continued cold weather, as well as a few minor snow-producing weather fronts should preserve the powder skiing in the backcountry well into the second week of February. Still, with our snowpack still relatively thin overall, and with many areas heavily scoured by recent winds, take it easy out there. We are just into the beginning of February, with a whole lot of winter ahead.
Mid-January – A Powder-Hound’s Dream
A few 1-3″ snowfalls over the last week, along with cold temps and the 15-40″+ of fresh snow that has fallen across the north country since Dec. 28, has produced over two straight weeks of beautiful powder skiing off-piste and in the backcountry. These same conditions have also produced some of the most impressive snow and rime buildup on the higher elevation conifer and hardwoods forests that we have ever seen in the northeast. Temperatures may climb above the freezing mark Friday 1/16 and again on Sunday 1/18, and the snow in some lower-elevation southern and western aspects, especially, may get a bit wet and then crust up in the nighttime hours. However, most high elevation and NE-NW aspects should remain powdery and very, very fun to ski well into next week. Here are a few images that were captured off-piste in Vermont earlier this week…
Happy New Year – SNOW!
Snow, snow, snow, snow, snow! It’s falling, it’s everywhere and it’s filling in. Forecasters are now calling for 10-20″ over the next several days in many parts of the North Country. The powder skiing continues to improve in the backcountry, with buttery, shin to knee-deep fresh tracks awaiting skiers in the higher elevation backcountry areas across the Dacks, northern New England and Quebec’s Gaspe. There is still a minor and somewhat grabby crust layer near the surface at lower elevations below 2000′. Base depths are still a bit thin, especially down low, below 2500′ – so take it easy and have fun. Check out Photo of the Week for a snap from Dec. 30, 2010 in Vermont’s Mad River Valley.
Mid-December 2009 Update – Deepcember
The big snows (lake-effect for the Dacks and the Greens) that arrived to parts of northern New England during the second week of December produced over-the-shoulder snow conditions in the steeps of the higher elevations for about twenty four hours before settling down and then mixing with the wetter, heavier snow falling across the north country this week. A few snow showers (maybe another 4-6″ up high) and then some very cold, dry weather should prevail in the coming 7-10 days…just about til Christmas. This weather will preserve the powder skiing, and if we can scrounge any moisture now and then, we should pick up a few stray snow showers if we are lucky. If untracked snow is what you are after, there should be plenty of it, especially up high in the leeward north/east facing drainages. With base depths still very thin, however, take it easy, make plenty of turns and remember that there is a long ski season ahead. Think snow!
Here’s a snap from last week, Dec. 11 in Vermont’s Mad River Valley.
Mid-November 2009 Update – It’s time to go surfing…
Mid-October 2009 Update – Fast Grass In Full Effect
Fresh snowfall on Tuesday, Oct 13 above 1500′ in northern New England has kicked off the ski season for snow-hungry, human-powered skiers across the region (Apparently, Sunday River ski area in Maine opened this week, as well, the first in the east for 3 years running). Low-angle, grassy ski trails free of service roads and water bars offer the best skiing right now, and with cold temps holding steady and even some weekend snow in the forecast, the skiing should remain especially good on non-solar aspects above 2200′ through Monday morning, October 19th. After that, temps will likely be too warm for any significant snow for at least 8-10 days. Here is an image captured in the northern Green Mountains just a couple of days ago:
September 2009 Update – Frost Skiing Outlook
Night time temps are already dipping into the mid 30s, light frost has already affected the mountains, and a widespread valley frost could occur any day now across the north country (northern New York and New England). If you’ve already harvested all of your tomatoes and basil, and just can’t wait any more for the snow to fly, find a well mowed and sloped field, pasture or ski trail (preferably one with plenty of moss, too), wait for a good frost, and get an early start. If the frost melts on your way up the mountain or simply isn’t as heavy as you had hoped, consider the following grass skiing tips.
Have fun out there. – Brian
For additional weather and snow conditions, head to our Forecasts and Conditions page.
