0

Fluctuations

Rockin’ Ron for Hugh. We started out with 29 trails this morning and that count fluctuated as conditions softened and nearly all the trails on Madonna and Sterling Mountains opened, for a total of 62. I hate to be Debbie Downer or Donnie Darko, but that trail count will again fluctuate, due to the expected freezing rain and wintry mix tonight and into Wednesday. You definitely want to check back for updates. The word of the day – Fluctuations.

Exhibiting on Upper Exhibition.
View of Rumrunners’ Hideaway, the Village, and the valley beyond, from Thomke’s Express.
0

Great conditions

Upper Exhibition
Upper Rumrunner

We received 8 inches of new snow in the past 24 hours and 10 inches in the past 2 days. Tonight’s forecast is periods of snow with 2 to 4 inches of accumulation possible. Tomorrow’s forecast calls for snow showers with another 1 to 2 inches of accumulation possible with a high of 5 degrees at the base and 3 degrees at higher elevations. Bundle up and enjoy the new snow! Tomorrow we plan to have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 7 lifts operating, including the Madonna I Lift. We have 70 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. 40 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Upper FIS, Drifter, Jolly Rodger, Smugglers’ Alley, Curley’s Cutback, and Log Jam for a grand total of 147 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are powder and packed powder with average base depths of 10 to 34 inches. Currently, it is 16 degrees at the summit of Sterling with flurries and winds of 5 to 10 mph.

0

It just keeps snowing

We received 7 inches of new snow in the past 24 hours and over 2 feet in the past 5 days. We could see another 10 inches of new snow before the weekend at higher elevations. Tomorrow we plan to have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 5 lifts operating, including the Madonna I Lift. We have 66 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. We plan to groom 22 trails, including Drifter, Curley’s Cutback, and Thomke’s for a grand total of 99 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are packed powder and powder with average base depths of 12 to 46 inches. We are presently making snow on Black Snake, Snake Bite, and Birch Run. We plan to have these trails open for the weekend. Currently, it is snowing and 11 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 5 to 10 mph. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for cloudy skies with snow showers 1 to 3 inches of accumulation possible and a high of 25 degrees.

The Madonna I Lift
Skis at the summit of Madonna
Chloe enjoying the great conditions on Upper Exhibition
Upper FIS
Checking base depths
0

11 inches of new snow in 2 days!

Tony finds some nice snow on Upper Exhibition
Dave throwing snow around on Full Nelson
Upper Madonna Liftline was open top to bottom today
Flying down Lower Pipeline

We received 6 inches of new snow in the past 24 hours and 21 inches in the past week. Tomorrow we plan to have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 6 lifts operating, including the Madonna I lift. We now have 64 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Surface conditions are powder and packed powder with average base depths of 14 to 50 inches. 25 out of the 64 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Upper FIS for a grand total of 97 acres of freshly groomed terrain. We continue to make snow around the clock on Black Snake and the Practice Slope. Currently, it is partly cloudy and 17 degrees at the summit of Sterling. Tonight’s forecast is snow showers with 1 to 2 inches of accumulation possible. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for partly sunny skies with a high of 17 degrees.

0

Another gorgeous day

Sterling Mountain with Mount Mansfield in the background.
Great conditions
I  would like to thank our Ski  Patrollers for all the work they do to help keep us safe!
Riding Upper Exhibition

Tomorrow we plan to have 3 lifts operating, Sterling Lift, Sir Henry’s Wonder Carpet, and Mogul Mouse’s Magic Lift to mid-station. We plan to have 28 trails open tomorrow with terrain for all ability levels. 8 out of the 28 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Smugglers’ Alley for a grand total of 28 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are machine groomed and packed powder with average base depths of 12 to 48 inches. Today we made snow on Midway, Meadowlark, Garden Path, and Lower Morse Liftline. Currently, it is cloudy and 18 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 10 to 15 mph. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for snow, mix, and sleet early becoming rain later in the day with a high of 41 degrees.

0

A couple photos from yesterday

Sterling Pond with Mount Mansfield in the background

Yesterday was my day off, but with the conditions being so good I had to come up and take a few runs. Upper Exhibition is now open top to bottom, so I had to ski it. The 10 inches of new snow that we received in the past week along with 29 inches of snow this season has really made a big difference. We have many trails open with natural snow coverage like Upper Exhibition, Chute, Thomke’s, Bootlegger, Hangman’s, Lower Pipeline, Hangman’s Drop, Thomke’s Express, Jolly Rodger, Pipeline Escape, and Highlander Glades. Some of the intermediate trails are rated expert at this time. Last night our snowmakers were busy on Garden Path and Lower Morse Liftline. Today we plan to have Sterling Lift and Sir Henry’s Wonder Carpet operating. We now have 18 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. 8 trails have been groomed for today, including Smugglers’ Alley and Thomke’s. Currently, it is cloudy and 22 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 0 to 5 mph. Today’s forecast is calling for cloudy skies with a chance of snow late in the day and a high of 26 degrees. We have snow in the forecast tonight through Thursday night with 3 to 5 inches of accumulation possible. Surface conditions are machine groomed and variable with average base depths of 12 to 48 inches. 

Tower Fan Gun on the Practice Slope
0

Spring Fling

Spring Skiing attire.
Spring Skiing Attire

Rockin’ Ron for Hugh. There will be spring skiing today, but temps dropped below freezing late last night and that means the groomers will be working right up until the time of the DELAYED LIFT OPENINGS: Sterling at 9:00 am and Madonna I at 9:30am.

NEXT WEEKEND

On Wednesday, a determination about the weekend’s lift operations will be made. Stay tuned skiers and riders. 

Catching air on Upper Exhibition!
Catching air on Upper Exhibition!
0

Great conditions

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Jack having fun in the glades

New Snow

We received 3 inches of new snow today, 10 inches in the past week, and 325 inches this season so far!

Lifts and Trails

Tomorrow we plan to have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 6 lifts operating, including the Madonna I lift. We have 77 out of 78 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. The Black Hole, Freefall, and Madonna Liftline are open from the traverse on Upper FIS. Surface conditions are packed powder and powder with average base depths of 24 to 54 inches. We plan to groom 36 trails tonight, including Drifter, Snow Snake, and Smugglers’ Alley for a grand total of 146 acres of freshly groomed terrain.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Up for “Dad of the Year” this is Lee Anderson wearing a tutu to support his daughter who was going to compete in the Molly Fund Rail Jam. The best part is he is skiing Upper Exhibition

Weather

Currently it is snowing and 20 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 25 to 35 mph. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for snow showers another 1 to 3 inches of accumulation possible with temperatures between 23 and 36 degrees.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Charlie skiing the trees with free refills

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Bird’s eye view of Upper Exhibition