Hugh's Views - Smugglers' Notch Vermont

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Sun, Fun and SNOW!

Posted January 31, 2023 at 3:48 pm

Rockin’ Ron for Hugh. 3 inches of snow overnight, and can you believe this… 23 inches in the past 6 days! Plus our snowmakers have been busy on Sterling and Madonna mountains. They move to Morse Mountain tomorrow on Curley’s Cutback, Log Jam, and Hibernator – all 3 of those trails will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday.

I got to make some turns today with Seth Crevison (aka Carv-ison) of the activities department. We enjoyed the fresh powder, even if it was a little sticky due to cold temps. He told me he’d never been on Shuttle (the trail that connects Drifter to Crossover and Lower Rumrunner), so we had to hit the bumps on those rolling slopes. We saw Adam Howard aka Howie, Editor of Backcountry Magazine on Upper Drifter. From the Madonna I Lift, Seth and I spotted our Snow Reporter Hugh Johnson dropping into Freefall. To quote Hugh “another beautiful day on the mountain!”

Seth on Catwalk below ‘upper’ Upper FIS aka Sally’s Alley. Look at all that snow!

Abominable Snow People Sculptures on top of Madonna.

Snowmaking on lower Upper FIS. Or is it upper Lower FIS?

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A little fresh snow

Posted January 30, 2023 at 4:03 pm

We received an inch of new snow in the past 24 hours, 5 inches in the past 2 days, 20 inches in the past 5 days, and 57 inches in the month of January so far. We are also expecting another 1 to 2 inches of new snow tonight. Upper FIS was groomed last night from Catwalk down to Dan’s Ford. The fresh snow on top of the groomed terrain was a bunch of fun. Upper Madonna Liftline was open from the top down to the Robin’s Run work road. We are presently making snow on McPherson’s, Playground, Snake Bite, and Upper FIS below Dan’s Ford. Some of these trails are closed due to snowmaking. 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 69 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. 25 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Smugglers’ Alley, Upper FIS, and Howie’s Wanderer for a grand total of 107 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are machine-groomed and packed powder with average base depths of 8 to 30 inches. Currently, it is cloudy and 16 degrees at the summit of Sterling. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for cloudy skies early becoming partly sunny, with a high of 11 degrees with temperatures falling throughout the day. Bundle up and enjoy the great conditions!

The Nordic Center is open with 15 km of snowshoeing and 17 km of cross-country trails. The small ice rink is also open.

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

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Snowmaking in progress

Posted January 30, 2023 at 1:21 pm

We are presently making snow on Practice Slope, Snake Bite, Playground, and Upper FIS below Goat Path.

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Another day in paradise

Posted January 30, 2023 at 10:50 am

Madonna and Sterling seen from the Village Lift

We received an inch of new snow overnight and 5 inches in the past 24 hours on top. Today we have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 6 lifts operating, including the Madonna I Lift. We have 69 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. 23 trails have been groomed for today, including Smugglers’ Alley for a grand total of 102 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are machine-groomed and variable with average base depths of 8 to 30 inches. Some trails are closed for snowmaking operations today. Currently, it is partly cloudy and 19 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 a snow shower, a high of 25 degrees at the base, and 20 degrees at higher elevations. We could see another 1 to 2 inches of new snow tonight.

The Nordic Center is open with 15 km of snowshoeing and 17 km of cross-country trails. The small ice rink is also open.

This weekend the featured beverage for the apres sports party at Bootlegger’s and the Black Bear Tavern is Woodchuck.

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Top to bottom on all 3 mountains

Posted January 29, 2023 at 4:54 pm

This trail is not on the trail map. It is from the pump house on Garden Path down to the bottom of Snow Snake.

We received 4 inches of wet snow on top today and some liquid sunshine at the base. Currently, it is 30 degrees at the summit of Sterling with wet snow falling. The temperature will be falling throughout the night with another 1 to 2 inches of new snow possible. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for mostly cloudy skies with a chance of a snow shower, a high of 23 degrees at the base, and 18 degrees at higher elevations. Tomorrow we plan to have 6 lifts operating, including the Madonna I Lift. We have 73 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. 25 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Smugglers’ Alley, Dixie’s Knoll, and Upper Chilcoot for a grand total of 102 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions will be machine-groomed and variable with average base depths of 8 to 30 inches.

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Regional Freeski Competition

Posted January 29, 2023 at 11:54 am

The competition is being held today on Madonna Liftline just below mid-station. These amazing athletes are taking on this double black diamond trail. One of the best places to watch is from the Madonna I Lift or you can cut through Three Mountain Glades.

Today we have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 7 lifts operating, including the Madonna I Lift. We have 73 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. 26 trails have been groomed for today for a grand total of 112 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are packed powder and machine groomed with average base depths of 8 to 30 inches. Today’s forecast is calling for snow showers with 2 to 4 inches of accumulation possible and a high of 36 degrees at the base and 30 degrees at higher elevations. We are also expecting another 1 to 2 inches of snow tonight. Currently, it is snowing and 23 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 5 to 15 mph.

The Nordic Center is open with 15 km of snowshoeing and 17 km of cross-country trails. The small ice rink is also open.

Today the featured beer for the apres sports party at Bootlegger’s and the Black Bear Tavern is Zero Gravity, Powder Jones

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Picture yourself here

Posted January 28, 2023 at 4:39 pm

Skiing and riding are not only about sliding down an incline. It’s also about the whole experience of being out on the mountain. Riding with some of your best buddies. Floating through the trees in fresh powder. Carving big GS turns in corduroy on your favorite cruiser. Taking a moment to enjoy the amazing views that are all around you and so much more! We received an inch of new snow today and 15 inches in the past 3 days with more on the way. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for snow showers with 2 to 4 inches of accumulation possible, breezy with a high of 36 degrees at the base and 30 degrees at higher elevations. Currently, it is cloudy and 24 degrees at the summit of Sterling. 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 71 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. 26 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Drifter, Garden Path, and Rumrunner for a grand total of 112 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are packed powder and machine groomed with average base depths of 8 to 30 inches. Today we made snow on Upper FIS, McPherson’s, Playground, and Snake Bite.

The Nordic Center is open with 15 km of snowshoeing and 17 km of cross-country trails. The small ice rink is also open.

Tomorrow the featured beer for the apres sports party at Bootlegger’s and the Black Bear Tavern is Zero Gravity, Powder Jones

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More snow in the forecast

Posted January 28, 2023 at 12:28 pm

44.56°N 72.75°W (Elev. 3343 ft)

Sunday: Snow, mainly after 10 am. High near 30 degrees. The chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches is possible.

Sunday Night: Snow showers likely, mainly before 9 pm. Cloudy, with a low of around 7 degrees. The chance of precipitation is 60%. A new snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches is possible.

We received an inch of new snow today and 15 inches in the past 3 days. Today we have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 7 lifts operating, including the Madonna I Lift. We have 72 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. 24 trails have been groomed for today for a grand total of 102 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are packed powder and machine groomed with average base depths of 8 to 30 inches. Currently, it is 24 degrees at the summit of Sterling with flurries and winds of 15 to 25 mph. Today’s forecast is calling for cloudy skies with a chance of snow showers and a high of 34 degrees at the base and 26 degrees at higher elevations.

The Nordic Center is open with 15 km of snowshoeing and 17 km of cross-country trails. The ice rink is also open.

This weekend the featured beer for the apres sports parties at Bootlegger’s and the Black Bear Tavern is Zero Gravity, Powder Jones

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Another beautiful day

Posted January 27, 2023 at 4:16 pm

Sterling and Mount Mansfield seen from the Village Lift

Snow Snake opened today for experts only with natural snow coverage

Last night we received 4 inches of nice light powder snow, which was the icing on the cake. We received 22 inches of snow in the past 5 days which has really made a difference in trail count and surface conditions. We have opened over 20 trails in the past week. There is more snow in the forecast for Sunday with up to 3 inches of accumulation possible. We are presently making snow on Snake Bite, McPherson’s, and Upper FIS from Goat Path down to Mulcahy’s Link. 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 72 trails open with terrain open for all ability levels. 23 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Upper Chilcoot, Rumrunner, and Dixie’s Knoll for a grand total of 102 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are packed powder and machine groomed with average base depths of 8 to 30 inches. Currently, it is partly cloudy and 24 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 5 to 15 mph. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for cloudy skies with a chance of a snow shower and a high of 34 degrees at the base and 26 degrees at the summits.

The Nordic Center is open with 15 km of snowshoeing and 17 km of cross-country trails. The ice rink is also open.

This weekend the featured beer for the apres sports parties at Bootlegger’s and the Black Bear Tavern is Zero Gravity, Powder Jones

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Snowmaking in progress

Posted January 27, 2023 at 8:33 am

We are presently making snow on Snake Bite, McPherson’s, and Upper FIS from Goat Path down to Mulcahy’s Link, these trails will be closed today. We received 4 inches of new snow overnight, 14 inches in the past 2 days, and 22 inches in the past 5 days. Today we have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 7 lifts operating, including the Madonna I lift. We have 72 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. 28 trails have been groomed for today for a grand total of 115 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are powder and packed powder with average base depths of 8 to 30 inches. Currently, it is partly cloudy and 13 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 5 to 15 mph. Today’s forecast is calling for skies to become partly sunny with a high of 25 degrees. Best conditions of the season so far!

The Nordic Center is open with 15 km of snowshoeing and 17 km of cross-country trails. The small ice rink is also open.

Next weekend the featured beer for the apres sports parties at Bootlegger’s and the Black Bear Tavern is Zero Gravity, Powder Jones