Waiting for Winter

By Rich Macha

Anticipation. Back in the old days – I don’t want to age myself, but let’s just say around the turn of the century – it was common for me to have skied a few times before Thanksgiving rolled around. These days, in the age of global warming and climate change, I’m lucky to get out on the skis a few times before Christmas. Nevertheless, I’m still hoping for a long and snowy ski season. Here are some early season thoughts, recommendations and updates.

The Skis – Metal-edge skis are commonly used for skiing on hiking trails in the Adirondacks and other natural areas – these are generally wider than the skis used in groomed tracks at touring centers and are sometimes referred to as XCD (cross-country downhill) skis. A moderate amount of sidecut, or shape, makes the skis easier to turn – an important quality when trying to negotiate narrow, twisty trails over rolling terrain. I prefer skis that are 20-30mm narrower at their narrowest point underfoot than their widest point near the front of the ski. XCD-style skis are designed for better flotation in ungroomed snow and for better control on the downhills.

Last winter, my old skis were becoming close to unusable so I was ready to buy new ones, yet it was near impossible to find what I wanted due to a combination of reasons. This included the pandemic, global supply chain problems (Madshus skis are made in China), and a fire at the Fischer ski factory in the Ukraine which also manufactures skis for Rossignol and Alpina. I was finally able to buy new skis this fall but supplies are still very limited, and it’s a seller’s market, so don’t expect great discounts, and don’t wait until January if you need new gear.

Early Season Skiing – You can ski on just a few inches of snow, so before we get some greater depths, I often look to smooth trails or roads on which to ski. The paved Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway was being skied in early November this year. The dirt road to Camp Santanoni can often be skied in late fall, as well as the old roads in the Essex Chain Lakes Complex from the Newcomb side as well as the Indian Lake side of the complex. Rockwood State Forest, just south of the Adirondack Park near Johnstown, usually receives early lake-effect snows and offers a variety of relatively wide and smooth trails suitable for most skiers. The truck trails to Marcy Dam, Hays Brook, and Fish Pond are also early-season favorites.

Note that Northern Zone (basically, areas north of Saratoga Springs) regular big game hunting season ends on December 5th, and on December 12th in the Southern Zone, so don’t go dressed as Donner and Blitzen until after these dates – a red nose like Rudolph is better, but blaze orange is best. Winter officially starts on December 21st this year.

Botheration Pond – The Botheration Pond loop has become a very popular intermediate backcountry ski route over the past dozen years. However, the two ornate log bridges that span the outlet of the pond are both now out of commission so the loop cannot be accomplished without a bushwhack. The downstream bridge collapsed several years ago but the East Branch of the Sacandaga River ices over well enough in winter for folks to ski across on snow-covered ice.

The other bridge, located a short distance downstream from the pond, has cracks in the stringers and DEC has roped it off and does not want skiers to use it. DEC is hoping to replace the bridge but will not do so until spring at the earliest. It will still be possible this winter to ski to the pond as an out and back trip.

This part of the Siamese Ponds Wilderness has several other route options along designated ski trails, all of which can be skied from the Old Farm Trailhead, located east of Thirteenth Lake – and close to Garnet Hill Lodge & Outdoor Center with XC skiing, snowshoeing, dining and lodging options. 

Designated ski trails tend to be a bit wider than regular hiking trails. Heading south from the Old Farm Trailhead on an old road, you soon reach a kiosk. A left turn puts you on the Halfway Brook trail which will connect to the trail to Botheration Pond. The Halfway Brook trail continues past that junction to The Vly where there is a view to Gore Mountain, then crosses Barton Mines Road to connect with the Raymond Brook trail, which soon plummets down toward North Creek and is best for advanced skiers. 

Going south from the kiosk, you reach Old Farm Clearing in another mile. From the clearing, you can ski east toward the East Branch of the Sacandaga, south to NY Route 8, or west to Hour Pond and/or Puffer Pond.

Boreas Ponds – Although there is still further work to be done on the Gulf Brook Road, which was closed to all users for a time this fall, the seven-mile road will be open this winter to skiers and snowshoers who would like to witness the incredible view of the High Peaks from the Boreas Ponds.

White Friday – On the day after Thanksgiving, we received a widespread snowfall, but certain areas were gifted with greater amounts than others – the Taconics, Green Mountains of Vermont, and Adirondack High Peaks did well, while the rest got enough to make things look prettier. I got out on my rock skis for a local ski but I’ll be saving the new skis for deeper snow. Let’s hope the season brings more powder and prettiness.

A lover of wild places, Rich Macha has led many trips for the Adirondack Mountain Club, and has spent 20 years in the paddlesport/snowsport business. More of Rich’s adventures can be found at northeastwild.blogspot.com.