Archives: January 2023

The snow that we received last night was heavy and stuck to everything, which is perfect. The temperature dropped throughout the day and the snow we received today was drier. The lighter snow will insulate the heavier snow and they will bond nicely. This helps build the base and puts a fluffy layer of powder on top. We received 5 inches of new snow overnight and 5 more inches today! Tonight’s forecast is calling for more snow with another 2 to 4 inches of accumulation possible. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for cloudy skies early becoming partly sunny with a high of 25 degrees. Tomorrow we plan to have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains. We plan to have 7 lifts operating, including the Madonna I Lift. We have 73 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. 28 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Upper FIS, Rumrunner, and Curley’s Cutback 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. Tonight we plan to make snow on Snake Bite. Black Snake will be closed below Jolly Rodger due to the snowmaking operations tomorrow. Currently, it is still snowing and 15 degrees at the summit of Sterling.

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

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

We received 5 inches of new snow overnight, 13 inches in the past 4 days, and 22 inches in the past week! Madonna and Sterling are 100 percent open. We have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains. We have 7 lifts operating, including the Madonna I Lift. We now have 73 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. 24 trails have been groomed for today, including Upper Chilcoot, Garden Path, and Black Snake for a grand total of 105 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are powder and packed powder with average base depths of 8 to 30 inches. Upper FIS is groomed from Catwalk down to the Lower Doc Dempsey’s cutoff. Currently, it is still snowing and 28 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 10 to 20 mph. Today’s forecast is calling for snow and another 3 to 7 inches of accumulation possible with a high of 33 degrees and breezy. Temperatures will be falling throughout the day. Tonight’s forecast is also snow with another 2 to 4 inches of accumulation possible. It’s shaping up to be an amazing weekend. Don’t forget to plan ahead and buy your tickets online at smuggs.com/reload.

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

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

Just a reminder to all you uphill aficionados; Madonna is currently closed to uphill travel.  While we applaud those who have abided by the uphill policy, there have been several instances of behavior that is not in compliance. Smugglers’ has neither the time nor the resources to police behavior and continued issues could lead to closure. Sterling uphill is open as scheduled Thursday morning. The skin track is up Rumrunner only.  Depending on snow conditions come morning, there is a possibility that we will need to groom Rumrunner before the lift opening. If that is the case, please give any groomers you see on the trail plenty of space. We expect snowmaking will be commencing on Snake Bite Thursday night. That means Black Snake will be closed below Jolly Rodger Thursday night and Friday morning, reopening Saturday morning. We are nearing the end of our major snowmaking efforts and you can expect evening uphill access on Madonna and Sterling to commence soon, probably later next week. Remember, check the snow report!

Currently, it is snowing and 18 degrees at the summit of Sterling. We received a dusting of new snow. The snowstorm is just getting started! Tonight’s forecast is calling for 4 to 8 inches of new snow at higher elevations. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for snow and sleet with another 4 to 6 inches of accumulation possible, breezy, and a high of 30 degrees at the upper elevations with temperatures falling throughout the day. Tomorrow night were expecting another 2 to 4 inches of new snow. We are presently making snow on Upper FIS. Tomorrow we plan to have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains. We plan to have 6 lifts operating, including the Madonna I Lift. We have 69 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. 24 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Lower FIS, and Howie’s Wanderer for a grand total of 105 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are packed powder and machine groomed with average base depths of 8 to 28 inches. Surface conditions will change with the new snow we will be getting tonight and tomorrow.

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

We are in a wonderful cycle, where the refresh button just keeps getting hit. We received 5 inches of new snow in the past 24 hours, 14 inches in the past 4 days, and 28 inches in the past 2 weeks. Ropes were dropping again on Madonna Mountain today. Freefall was open from the top and the Headwall was also open. I had a great time on Freefall and the Black Hole. I also played in the woods a bit. The conditions are fantastic and will be getting even better with more snow in the forecast. We also plan to make snow on Upper FIS tonight and tomorrow. Some trails may be closed tomorrow due to snowmaking operations on Upper FIS. Check the trail-by-trail report for more information tomorrow morning. Currently, it is cloudy and 18 degrees at the summit of Sterling. Tonight’s forecast is calling for snow showers with 1 to 2 inches of accumulation. Tomorrow’s forecast is snow showers with another 1 to 3 inches of accumulation with a high of 30 degrees at the base and 24 degrees at higher elevations. 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 70 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Surface conditions are packed powder and machine groomed with average base depths of 6 to 28 inches. 24 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Black Snake, Upper Chilcoot, and Howie’s Wanderer for a grand total of 95 acres of freshly groomed terrain.

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