Rockin’ Ron for Hugh. Today’s plan: 6 lifts operating – including Madonna I, and 75 trails open with terrain for all abilities. 34 trails have been groomed including Snow Snake, Thomke’s Express, and skiers’ right on Upper FIS. The forecast is increasing clouds and highs of 45 degrees at the base and top. If I were to tell you your destination… it would be here. Ski U soon.
Thomke’s Express
Great day on the mountain
The day started with all 3 mountains covered in clouds. It did not take long before the sun burned the clouds off and we had bluebird skies. I skied over to Sterling from the top of the Village Lift this morning and the views were amazing. I spent some time on top of Sterling soaking in the beautiful sunshine and views. The clouds in the valley looked like water and the mountains were islands. Tomorrow we plan to have skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with the Madonna II Lift, Sterling Lift, Village Lift, Morse Highlands Lift, Mogul Mouse’s Magic Lift, and Sir Henry’s Glider. We now have 33 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. 18 out of the 33 open trails will be groomed for tomorrow for a grand total of 81 acres of freshly groomed terrain. We are presently making snow on Lower FIS, Lower Madonna Liftline, and Mulcahy’s Link. Tonight and tomorrow we plan to move the snowmaking operations over to Birch Run and Lower Rumrunner. Birch Run and Lower Rumrunner will be closed tomorrow due to snowmaking operations. Surface conditions are machine-groomed and variable with average base depths of 6 to 24 inches. Currently, it is cloudy and 15 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 10 to 15 mph. Tomorrow’s forecast is partly sunny skies with a slight chance of a snow shower. There will be a temperature inversion tomorrow. The high temperature for the summit of Sterling is 31 degrees and the high temperature for the base area is 23 degrees. This is one of the reasons that we will be making snow tomorrow on Birch Run and Lower Rumrunner.
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.
Another gorgeous day
Lift and Trails
Today we have the Sterling Lift operating. We have 31 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 Snake Bite, Smugglers’ Alley, Jolly Rodger, Thomke’s Express, and Black Snake for a grand total of 45 acres.
Tons of snow
New Snow
The snow gauge says that we received 8 inches of new snow, but that is not true. We have so much snow that the snow gauge is buried. The snow gauge sets on a platform, which is about 3 to 4 feet above the ground. You look down on the snow gauge as you ski or ride by! We did receive a dusting of new snow this afternoon and yesterday making our season snowfall total 376 inches.
Lifts and Trails
Tomorrow we plan to have the Sterling lift operating with 29 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 13 trails tonight, including Smugglers’ Alley, Thomke’s Express, Jolly Rodger, and the Practice Slope for a grand total of 44 acres of freshly groomed terrain.
Weather
Currently it is cloudy and 27 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 10 to 20 mph. Tonight’s forecast is calling for snow an inch of accumulation possible. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for snow showers another inch of accumulation possible with temperatures between 23 and 34 degrees.
Great spring conditions
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.
Freshly groomed terrain
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.
Spring Fever
Lifts and Trails
Tomorrow we plan to have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with all 8 lifts operating. We have 66 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Surface conditions are spring conditions and machine-groomed with average base depths of 20 to 50 inches. We plan to groom 30 trails tonight, including Drifter, Snow Snake, and Thomke’s Express for a grand total of 134 acres of freshly groomed terrain.
Weather
Currently it is cloudy and 36 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 10 to 25 mph. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for cloudy skies with a chance of rain/mix becoming snow with temperatures between 27 and 47 degrees. Temperatures will be falling throughout the day.
Fresh snow
New Snow
We received 1 to 3 inches of new snow overnight making our season total 317 inches.
Lifts and Trails
We are 99 percent open! Today we 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. Surface conditions are powder and packed powder with average base depths of 24 to 54 inches. 36 trails have been groomed for today, including Ruthie’s, Gary B’s, Dixie’s Knoll, Curley’s Cutback, and Thomke’s Express for a grand total of 141 acres of freshly groomed terrain.
Weather
Currently it is cloudy and 14 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 5 to 10 mph. Today’s forecast is calling for a chance of light snow early then partly sunny skies later with temperatures between 17 and 26 degrees.
Snow in the forecast
Lifts and Trails
We are 99 percent open. Today we plan to 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. 38 trails have been groomed for today, including Drifter, Catwalk, Ruthie’s, Evaporator, Snow Snake, Thomke’s Express, and Smugglers’ Alley for a grand total of 148 acres of freshly groomed terrain.
New Snow
We received a dusting to an inch of new snow overnight making our season total 314 inches.
Events
Free Family Fun Race on Lower Madonna Liftline today from 11 am till 2 pm. Find out who’s the fastest in your family.
Black Bear Apres Sport Party today in the Black Bear Tavern. Entertainment begins at 2 pm with Jammin’ Sam playing guitar and singing.
Smuggs Family
I ran into retired longtime Smuggs employees Bob Mulcahy and Barbara Thomke today at the top of the Village Lift. Bob use to be President and Barbara was the Public Relations Director both here at Smuggs. Have you heard of Mulcahy’s Link or Thomke’s Express? It was wonderful to see these two out having fun on the slopes with friends and family.