Hugh's Views - Smugglers' Notch Vermont

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A couple photos from yesterday

Posted December 4, 2019 at 8:29 am

**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.

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Great spring conditions

Posted April 9, 2019 at 10:54 am

Treasure Run

Today we have the Sterling lift operating with 29 trails open for intermediates and experts. 14 trails have been groomed for today, including Smugglers’ Alley, Chute, Jolly Rodger, Thomke’s Express, Lower Pipeline, and Practice Slope for a grand total of 45 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are machine groomed and spring conditions with average base depths of 18 to 48 inches.

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Freshly groomed terrain

Posted April 9, 2019 at 6:57 am

Groomer headed up Meadowlark

Lifts and Trails

Today Sterling lift is operating and it will open at 9 am. We plan to have 30 trails open with terrain for intermediates and experts. Surface conditions are machine groomed and variable with average base depths of 18 to 48 inches. 14 trails have been groomed for today, including Smugglers’ Alley, Chute, Jolly Rodger, Lower Pipeline, and Thomke’s Express for a grand total of 45 acres of freshly groomed terrain. We plan to have Sterling operating today through Friday, April 12th. This weekend we plan to have both Madonna I and Sterling lifts operating. We will close Monday, April 15th through Friday, April 19th. We plan to reopen for Saturday, April 20th and Sunday, April 21st.

Weather

Currently it is foggy and 28 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 5 to 10 mph. Today’s forecast is calling for a chance of rain, sleet, mix, and snow starting around 2 pm with temperatures between 28 and 42 degrees. There is snow in the forecast for tonight and tomorrow with a couple of inches of accumulation possible.

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A little bit of new snow with more on the way

Posted April 8, 2019 at 2:37 pm

We received a dusting of new snow today.

Lifts and Trails

Tomorrow we plan to have Sterling Lift operating. We plan to have 30 trails open with terrain for intermediates and experts. Surface conditions are machine groomed and variable with average base depths of 18 to 48 inches. We plan to groom 14 trails tonight, including Smugglers’ Alley, Chute, and Jolly Rodger for a grand total of 45 acres of freshly groomed terrain.

Weather

Currently it is 28 degrees at the summit of Sterling with sleet and winds of 20 to 40 mph. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for a chance of rain becoming sleet and snow with an inch of accumulation possible and temperatures between 31 and 49 degrees. Tomorrow night’s forecast is calling for snow with 1 to 3 inches of accumulation possible.

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Spring Fever

Posted April 3, 2019 at 4:32 pm

Matt enjoying the spring conditions

It didn’t take long for things to soften this morning. I had a blast on the steeper groomed runs like Bootlegger, Smugglers’ Alley, Chute, Hangman’s Drop, and Upper Pipeline. In fact all the groomed runs were good. The natural snow was also good on Black Bear, Full Nelson, Harvey’s Hideaway, and Upper Exhibition. I want to thank the Sterling Patrol for a wonderful lunch today, it was unexpected and appreciated.

Geoff is race day ready with his sporty jacket

Lifts and Trails

Tomorrow we plan to have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 4 lifts operating. We have 62 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Surface conditions are machine groomed and variable with average base depths of 18 to 48 inches. We plan to groom 37 trails tonight, including Upper FIS, Drifter, Ruthie’s, Snow Snake, Midway, Smugglers’ Alley, and Black Snake for a grand total of 139 acres of freshly groomed terrain.

Sterling Patrol Chillin’ & Grillin’ getting ready for the April 6th Tailgate Party

Weather

Currently it is snowing and 29 degrees at the summit of Sterling. Tonight’s forecast is calling for snow showers with 1 to 2 inches of accumulation possible. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for mostly sunny skies with temperatures between 16 and 38 degrees.

Construction continues on the skimming pond

Patroller Mac with a fresh dog right off the grill

Skiing and riding isn’t just about skiing and riding. It’s also about hanging out with your good friends!

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Winter Storm Watch

Posted March 21, 2019 at 6:44 am

The forecast from the National Weather Service for an elevation of 2,400 feet

Tonight

Rain and snow likely before 11 pm, then snow. Low around 32. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Friday

Snow before 11 am, then rain and snow. High near 35. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Friday Night

Snow. Low around 23. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 6 to 10 inches possible.

Saturday

Snow, mainly before 3 pm, then a chance of snow showers after 3pm. High near 28. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Lifts and Trails

Today we have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 6 lifts operating, including the Madonna I lift. We have 65 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Surface conditions are machine groomed and spring conditions with average base depths of 20 to 50 inches. 37 trails have been groomed for today, including Smugglers’ Alley, Snake Bite, Bootlegger, Chute, Upper Pipeline, Snow Snake, and Shuttle for a grand total of 144 acres of freshly groomed terrain.

Weather

Currently it is cloudy and 29 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 5 to 10 mph. Today’s forecast is calling for cloudy skies with a chance of snow late in the day and temperatures between 29 and 43 degrees.

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Going back a few years

Posted March 18, 2019 at 4:13 pm

Smugglers’ Notch Ski Ways

Smugglers’ Notch Ski Ways opened in December 1956 on Sterling Mountain. Black Snake, Rum Runner, Hangman’s Noose, and the Practice Area were some of the original trails. Tom Watson Jr. renamed Smugglers’ Notch Ski Ways to Madonna Mountain in 1964.

Lifts and Trails

Tomorrow we plan to have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 6 lifts operating. We have 65 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Surface conditions are packed powder and machine groomed with average base depths of 20 to 50 inches. We plan to groom 41 trails tonight, including Ruthie’s, Evaporator, Wanderer, McPherson’s, Chute, and Smugglers’ Alley for a grand total of 153 acres of freshly groomed terrain.

Madonna Mountain

Weather

Currently it is 20 degrees with beautiful sunny skies and winds of 0 to 5 mph. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for mostly sunny skies with temperatures between 12 and 28 degrees.

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Sunshine and corduroy

Posted March 8, 2019 at 9:24 am

Lower Morse Liftline

Lifts and Trails

Today we have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountain with 7 lifts operating. We have 77 out of 78 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Surface conditions are packed powder and powder with average base depths of 24 to 54 inches. 40 trails have been groomed for today, including Drifter, Snow Snake, and Chute for a grand total of 150 acres of freshly groomed terrain.

Weather

Currently it is sunny and 12 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 0 to 5 mph. Today’s forecast is sunny skies with temperatures between 12 and 29 degrees.

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156 acres of freshly groomed terrain

Posted March 2, 2019 at 7:56 am

Groomers headed back up Meadowlark after finishing Lower Morse Liftine

Lifts and Trails

We are 99 percent open. Today we have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with all 8 lifts operating. We have 77 out of 78 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Surface conditions are packed powder and machine groomed with average base depths of 24 to 54 inches. 46 trails have been groomed for today, including Upper FIS, Ruthie’s, Snow Snake, Hibernator, Bootlegger, Chute, Hangman’s Drop, and Smugglers’ Alley.

Weather

Currently it is 20 degrees at the summit of Sterling with partly cloudy skies and winds of 0 to 5 mph. Today’s forecast is calling for partly cloudy skies with a chance of light snow later in the day and temperatures between 22 and 30 degrees.

Events

Smugglers’ Notch Extreme Challenge is today on Madonna Liftline just below mid-station. This year for the first time snowboarders will be competing. There is 120 competitors signed up for the event! Spectators are welcome. You can watch from the edge of 3 Mountain Glades, just above the intersection of Madonna Liftine and Link, or the best seat in the house will be the Madonna I Lift as you ride right over all the action.

Free Family Fun Race Saturdays and Sundays on Lower Madonna Liftline from 11 am till 2 pm.

Black Bear Apres Sport Party this weekend draft specials featuring the Shed.

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We plan to run the Madonna I and Sterling lifts this weekend

Posted April 13, 2018 at 4:20 pm

Nice bumps on Full Nelson

Today started off pretty foggy, but the snow was good. The fog lifted by the afternoon and we even saw some partly sunny skies for a little while. The temperature almost reached 40 degrees at the summit of Sterling today, so we had some great spring conditions. The soft spring conditions made it fun to attack the steeper trails like Upper Pipeline, Chute, Smugglers’ Alley, Full Nelson, Snake Bite, and Bootlegger.

We have some snow on the way this weekend. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for periods of snow and sleet 1 to 3 inches of accumulation possible with temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees. There is more snow in the forecast for Saturday night into Sunday with another 3 inches of accumulation possible.

James Miller takes flight

For Closing Weekend we plan to have both the Madonna I and Sterling lifts operating. We plan to have 39 trails open for intermediates and experts.

Upper Pipeline