Hugh's Views - Smugglers' Notch Vermont

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Skiing and riding on all 3 mountains

Posted March 6, 2024 at 5:23 pm

We have 43 skiable trails and 38 lift-accessible trails open for Thursday. We plan to have 6 lifts operating tomorrow, including the Madonna II Lift. The Madonna I Lift will be closed tomorrow. 22 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Lower FIS, Log Jam, and Rumrunner, for a total of 94 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are machine groomed and spring conditions with average base depths of 8 to 32 inches. Currently, it is 39 degrees at the summit of Sterling with light rain. Tomorrow’s forecast calls for cloudy skies, a chance of sleet early on top with a high of 43 degrees at the base and 35 degrees at higher elevations. The temperatures will be colder as we get closer to the weekend, with snow forecasted Saturday night, Sunday, and Monday. I’m already doing my snow dance!

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New snow

Posted January 12, 2023 at 11:20 am

Nick Anastasi of Smuggs TV enjoying the great conditions

We received an inch of new snow overnight with more on the way. Today’s forecast calls for snow showers with another 1 to 2 inches of accumulation possible and a high of 31 degrees at the base and 26 degrees at the summit of Sterling. It is snowing and 19 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 15 to 25 mph. We are presently making snow on Lower FIS and Mulcahy’s Link. We have skiing and riding on all 3 mountains. The Madonna II Lift, Village Lift, Mogul Mouse’s Magic Lift, Sterling Lift, Morse Highlands Lift, and Sir Henry’s Glider are all operating. We have 20 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. 19 out of the 20 open trails have been groomed for today, including Smugglers’ Alley, Dixie’s Knoll, and Lower Chilcoot for a grand total of 84 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are machine-groomed and variable with average base depths of 6 to 24 inches.

This weekend the featured beer for the apres sports parties at Bootlegger’s and the Black Bear Tavern is Fiddlehead.

Uphill travel is open on Morse Mountain from 5 pm to 10 pm Friday through Wednesday. Morse Mountain is closed Thursday evenings due to fireworks and Cat Trax Tours.

Madonna and Sterling are presently closed to uphill travel until we have more trails open. Stay tuned for updates.

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Winter makes a come back

Posted April 2, 2021 at 6:28 am

We received an inch of new snow last night, 4 inches in the past 24 hours, 9 inches in the past 2 days, and 212 inches this season so far. Today we plan to have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 4 lifts operating, including the Madonna I Lift. We have 30 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. 16 trails have been groomed for today, including Upper Rumrunner, Practice Slope, Sam’s Run, Garden Path, Lower FIS, and Upper Chilcoot for a grand total of 71 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are packed powder and variable with average base depths of 12 to 46 inches. Currently, it is 10 degrees at the summit of Sterling with flurries. Today’s forecast is calling for cloudy skies with a chance of snow showers early, a high of 28 degrees at the base, and a high of 22 degrees at the summits. The forecast looks great for the weekend with sunny skies for Saturday and a high of 41 degrees. Sunday’s forecast is partly sunny skies with a high of 47 degrees.

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More new snow overnight

Posted November 30, 2019 at 8:25 am

**7 inches of new snow in the past 3 days.**

Today we have Sterling Lift and Sir Henry’s Wonder Carpet operating. We now have 14 trails open with terrain for beginners, intermediates, and experts. We received 2 inches of new snow overnight making our season total 26 inches. 7 out of the 14 trails have been groomed for today for a grand total of 25 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Snowmaking continues around the clock on Lower FIS, Lower Madonna Liftline, and Mulcahy’s Link. Today’s forecast is calling for skies becoming partly sunny with a high of 18 degrees.

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Goods in the woods

Posted January 16, 2019 at 8:11 am

Tim likes the steep and deep

My day off is Tuesday, but I could not stay way. I did a few chores at home early then headed to the mountain. I did not have a plan except to search out some fresh snow. I ran into my friends Tim and Ethan. We went powder stash hunting and all had a blast playing in snow-filled glades. I got my fix and was able to go home with a smile on my face. There is so much snow in the woods. I look forward to more of the same today! Photos were taken January 15, 2019.

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 75 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Lower FIS and Norwegian Woods will be closed today due to construction of Flowground on Lower FIS. Surface conditions are packed powder and machine groomed with average base depths of 24 to 54 inches. 31 trails have been groomed for today, including Ruthie’s, Dixie’s Knoll, and Thomke’s for a grand total of 129 acres of freshly groomed terrain.

Ski Patroller Ethan Costello finds some sweet turns in the trees

Weather

Currently it is cloudy and 20 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 5 to 10 mph. Today’s forecast is cloudy skies with a chance of snow showers and temperatures between 20 and 31 degrees. There is a little snow in the forecast for tonight and tomorrow night, but the big story is the weekend storm. Saturday night into Sunday we could see up to a foot of new snow!

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Whales and Winter Wellness

Posted January 15, 2019 at 2:29 pm

Snowmaking whales on Lower FIS. It may be hard to see in this picture, but the whales go all the way up the trail.

Rockin’ Ron for Hugh. Speaking this morning to Stew from Patrol, he recommended Shuttle as a trail pick. I’m glad he did – it was groomed and great! After the steep compression at the beginning, it turns into roller coaster hills – heck yeah!

I also enjoyed Catwalk and Goat Path. When I take those trails I feel like I’m on a Hot Wheels track with lots of hairpin and banked turns. No loopy loops though, that’s probably for the best.

I would’ve wailed on the whales on Lower FIS if it was open. It’s temporarily closed so the moisture can leach out of those snowmaking whales. Lower “Fizz” is also home to the Flowground Terrain Park. Soon, we’ll all be able to go with the flow.

CAR at 3ME. Pictured in the back are 4 Cambridge Area Rotarians (3 of whom who have been employed by the Resort). They helped the kids with their gear at 3 Mountain Equipment.

All this week there’s Winter Wellness. Cambridge Area Rotary sponsors this program which gives every 4th, 5th, and 6th graders from Cambridge Elementary School the opportunity to learn to ski or ride at Smuggs. There are many benefits to the program and ones like it – kids learn an athletic skill, they have the opportunity to appreciate nature, and they get some fresh air.

LIFTS & TRAILS

6 lifts including Madonna I are operating and 75 trails are open.

Upper Madonna Liftline is blanketed in snow. We don’t make snow there – so it’s all NATCH!

SNOW

35 inches in the past week and more is on the way towards the end of this week.

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Wreathed in Snow

Posted January 15, 2019 at 10:59 am

The Village Lift is wreathed in snow. You can also see light snow falling.

Rockin’ Ron for Hugh.

LIFTS & TRAILS

75 trails open today. Lower FIS and Norwegian Woods are currently closed for snowmaking. Actually the snow is already made, but the moisture needs to leach out. This will produce a much nicer product. These trails will re-open in the near future. Lower FIS is the site of the Flowground Terrain Park.

SNOW

35 inches in the past week and it is snowing lightly as we speak. Snow is in the forecast for later this week and into the weekend.

#1 in the East according to the Readers of Ski Magazine! The second year in a row!! The third time in 5 years!!!

One of many Programs offered by SSU.

Hey Buddy, need a lift? You’ve come to the right place.

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Snowmaking in progress

Posted January 14, 2019 at 2:02 pm

Meadowlark

We are presently making snow Lower FIS, Link to Sterling, and Meadowlark. Lower FIS is closed today for snowmaking, so that we can build the Flowground in the near future. The Flowground will have subtle terrain features like rolls, berms, and banks. These features are perfect for preparing intermediate skiers and riders for more challenging terrain. Snowmaking continues tonight on Lower FIS, Lower Madonna Liftline, Link to Rumrunner, Snake Bite, and the Zone.

Land guns and Tower guns on Lower FIS

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 75 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. 34 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Ruthie’s, Snow Snake, and Smugglers’ Alley for a grand total of 136 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are packed powder and machine groomed with average base depths of 24 to 54 inches.

Snowmaking piles are getting big on Lower FIS

Weather

Currently it is partly sunny and 12 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 1 to 5 mph. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for partly sunny skies with temperatures between 15 and 30 degrees.

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Good morning

Posted January 14, 2019 at 7:51 am

Early morning light over the Village

Lifts and Trails

Today 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 75 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Freefall is open from the traverse on Upper FIS. 33 trails have been groomed for today, including McPherson’s, Hibernator, and Black Snake for a grand total of 131 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Lower Hangman’s was groomed last night from Upper Exhibition down to Treasure Run. Surface conditions are packed powder and powder with average base depths of 24 to 54 inches.

Weather

We have a temperature inversion this morning. It is warmer at the top than it is at the bottom. Currently it is 10 degrees at the summit of Sterling with beautiful sunny skies and winds of 0 to 5 mph. Today’s forecast is calling for mostly sunny skies with temperatures between 14 and 24 degrees. The sun will work its magic and the temperature should rise quickly.

Snowmaking

Last night we made snow on Link to Sterling, Lower FIS, and skier’s right of Lower Madonna Liftline. Snowmaking continues on Lower FIS today, so it will be closed for the day along with Norwegian Woods.

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Here comes some new snow in the new year

Posted December 31, 2018 at 7:23 am

The forecast from the National Weather Service

Today

A 30 percent chance of snow after 5 pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 32. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Tonight

Snow before 2 am, then rain and snow between 2 am and 5 am, then rain after 5 am. Temperature falling to near 26 by 9 pm, then rising to around 36 during the remainder of the night. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

New Year’s Day

Rain and snow showers, becoming all snow after 9 am. Temperature falling to around 25 by 5 pm. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Lifts and Trails

Today we plan to have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with all 8 lifts operating. We now have 38 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. 26 trails have been groomed for today, including Lower FIS, Black Snake, and Magic Learning Trail for a grand total of 116 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are machine groomed and variable with average base depths of 12 to 40 inches.

Snowmaking

Last night we made snow on Dixie’s Knoll, Sam’s Run, Snow Snake, Lower Morse Liftline, and Hibernator.