Do you ski on the Van hoevenberg trail from Adirondack loj Marcy Dam to Avalanche pass or is there another designated ski trail. I've been on the truck trail to Marcy Dam. How does the other compare?

I don't think the Van Hovenburg trail goes to Avalanche Pass. I think it bears left just after Marcy Dam and heads up towards Mt. Marcy. Whatever that particular trail is named, it looks like you can easily ski it coming back down from at least Indian Falls near the trail to Tabletop. It looks like it is 8 to 10 feet wide, not too steep, and the Ranger was cruising it last year. There are some other parallel? ski trails (not for hikers) up there near the Tabletop / Indain falls trail turnoffs. Try not to run me over if I happen to be in the way!

I've hiked the trail to Avalanche Pass and I thinnk it would be pretty narrow for skiing most of the way between Avalanche Camp up to the top of the Pass.

Scenick--

Yes, you would want to ski on the regular marked foot trail from the Loj to Marcy Dam and on to Avalanche Pass. It is an amazing ski. I have done it twice and you can find some video etc. of it on my Adirondack46er.com website. There are some narrow spots, however it's fun and can be done safely so long as you careful.

As far as the other trail mentioned...

The return ski down from Indian Falls (which is a separate trail than that which leads to Avalanche Pass) is quite difficult--very steep and quite narrow given the steepness. I did it once.

The trail conditions page (http://www.lakeplacid.com/shared/whattodo/conditions-xc.cfm)says "old trail preferred route". Is that the old Van Hoevenberg route past the loj by Heart Lake instead of the trail at the end of the parking lot?

Not sure what the 'old trail' means. You want the hiking trail at the end of the parking lot outside the High Peaks Information Center.