Hugh's Views - Smugglers' Notch Vermont

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Winter Wonderland

Posted December 27, 2018 at 5:26 pm

Dominic taking in the views from the summit of Madonna for the first time. The Presidential Range in New Hampshire is seen in the distance to his left.

New Snow

We received 2 inches of new snow in the past 24 hours, 10 inches in the past 6 days, and 139 inches this season so far.

Snowmaking

We are presently making snow on Meadowlark and Lower Chilcoot. Snowmaking will continue on these two trails tonight.

Lifts and Trails

Weather permitting tomorrow we plan to have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 6 lifts operating. We have 30 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. 26 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Lower FIS, Curley’s Cutback, and Black Snake for a grand total of 108 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are machine groomed and variable with average base depths of 12 to 40 inches.

Summit of Madonna Mountain

Weather

Currently it is partly cloudy and 15 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 5 to 10 mph. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for a chance of freezing rain from around 7 am till 11 am, then a chance of rain after 11 am with temperatures between 27 and 40 degrees. Temperatures will increase throughout the day tomorrow.

Snowmaking continues on Lower Chilcoot

Sterling and Mount Mansfield seen from the Madonna I lift

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It’s starting to add up

Posted December 17, 2018 at 3:31 pm

Snow falling in the Village

We received an inch of new snow today with more in store for tonight. We’re expecting an up-slope event this evening and into tomorrow morning. We could see from 3 to 8 inches of new snow by morning. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for mostly cloudy skies with a chance of snow showers and temperatures between 6 and 20 degrees.

Up-slope snow event

These are highly localized, possibly high impact events that affect the region. Up-slope precipitation in general is produced by cool moist air being forced up the mountain slopes, and in this study, on northerly to westerly winds. One of the main factors in these events is the terrain of Vermont. The Green Mountains, with peaks as high as 4,395 feet (Mount Mansfield) run primarily north to south through the central portion of the state and are one of the main contributors to up-slope snowfall in the state. Research by: Michael Muccilli, Meteorologist, NWS Burlington, VT

Riding down Ruthie’s with Sterling Mountain in the background

Lifts and Trails

Tomorrow we plan to have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 5 lifts operating. We have 53 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. 22 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Smugglers’ Alley, Thomke’s, and Garden Path for a grand total of 100 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are variable and machine groomed with average base depths of 18 to 48 inches.

Snowmaking

Tonight our snowmakers plan to light up Sam’s Run, Meadowlark, Log Jam, Curley’s Cutback, Midway, and Garden Path.

Snow gauge at the top of Sterling Mountain

Events

Winter Solstice Celebration is Friday, December 21 at begins at 4:00 pm

Kick off the festivities at 4:00 pm with Goodtime Charlie, as he hosts a bonfire with s’mores, hot apple cider, music, glow sticks, and hot cocoa. Next, Jeh Kulu Dance and Drum Theater provides beats to the rhythm of the sunset. Then, Cirque de Fuego wows us with their fire performance, followed by fireworks! Light up the night and start Winter out with a bang! Located in the Village Greeting Area.

Snowman at the top to the top of the Village Lift

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More terrain opens tomorrow

Posted December 14, 2018 at 4:36 pm

Harvey’s Hideaway

Lifts and Trails

Tomorrow we plan to have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 5 lifts operating; Village Lift, Madonna I Lift, Sterling Lift, Mogul Mouse’s Magic Lift, and Sir Henry’s Glider. We plan to have 64 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. 20 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Upper Chilcoot, Curley’s Cutback, and Thomke’s for a grand total of 101 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are packed powder and machine groomed with average base depths of 20 to 50 inches.

Writer Jay Flemma having a blast on Black Snake

Weather

Currently it is 30 degrees at the summit of Sterling with cloudy skies and winds of 15 to 20 mph. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for mostly cloudy skies with temperatures between 30 and 39 degrees.

Mike enjoying the soft snow on Full Nelson

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Trail count will double this weekend

Posted December 12, 2018 at 12:07 pm

Matt McCawley having a blast in the trees

This weekend we plan to have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with around 66 trails open! We received another 4 inches of new snow today and 22 inches in the past week. Conditions are amazing with deep base depths. Snowmaking continues today on Sam’s Run, Curley’s Cutback, Birch Run, and Dixie’s Knoll.

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100 percent open

Posted March 25, 2018 at 4:17 pm

Mark having fun on Smugglers’ Alley

Once again the forecast called for partly to mostly cloudy skies and the sun decided to take over. It was truly a gorgeous day with great conditions and comfortable temperatures. The Smuggs Friendly Freeride Competition was a blast to watch. It was snowboarders and skiers taking on Madonna Liftline from mid-station down. This section has a bunch of cool features and a mean double fall line!

The crew on Upper Drifter

We are 100 percent open with top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 6 lifts operating. We have all 78 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Robin’s Run is open from the work road down to Freefall. Freefall is open from the traverse on Upper FIS. 30 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Upper Chilcoot, Thomke’s, and Curley’s Cutback for a grand total of 127 acres of freshly groomed terrain.

Tomorrow’s forecast is mostly sunny skies with a high of 38 degrees!

Tony throwing some snow around

Madonna Liftline

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Quality family time

Posted March 24, 2018 at 4:02 pm

Hayleigh and Harley on Lower Catwalk with Sterling in the background

The forecast called for cloudy skies, but the sun decided to make an appearance. I got to take a couple runs with my wife and all 3 kids this afternoon on Madonna. We had a great time on Upper Chilcoot, Lower Catwalk, Red Fox Glades, and Three Mountain Glades. The snow in the trees was wonderful. We all also enjoyed the Free Family Fun Race on Lower Madonna Liftline. The kids made sure that we always ended our run on Lower Madonna Liftline, so that they could do the race again.

We are 100 percent open with top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with all 8 lifts operating. We have all 78 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Robin’s Run is open from the work road down to Freefall. Freefall is open from the traverse on Upper FIS. 37 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Shuttle, Bootlegger, and Curley’s Cutback for a grand total of 140 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for partly to mostly cloudy skies with a chance of flurries and a high of 34 degrees.

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Morse Mountain Fun

Posted March 22, 2018 at 2:49 pm

Glade skiing at Morse Highlands

My 6 year old daughter Hayleigh only had a half day of school today. We skied together this afternoon on Morse Mountain. We were trying to get to the Morse Highlands area, but every time I turned around Hayleigh was headed into the woods. Hayleigh has learned all the secret glade runs from taking snowboard and ski lessons with our Snow Sport University. Many of these glade runs are low angle like the one on skiers’ right at the top of Log Jam. The low angle allows the kids to focus on steering instead of speed control. To make our afternoon complete we stopped by the Morse Highlands Day Lodge to say hi to Debbie! The kids love Debbie and Debbie loves the kids!

Way Up High School at the entrance to Sugar Woods

We are 100 percent open with top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 7 lifts operating. Robin’s Run is open from the work road down to Freefall. Freefall is open from the traverse on Upper FIS. 28 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Waterfall, Black Snake, and Curley’s Cutback for a grand total of 120 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for mostly cloudy skies with a chance of flurries and a high of 32 degrees.

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Another beautiful day

Posted March 21, 2018 at 4:26 pm

Skiers on Upper Drifter

Today started off a little cool, but that did not last long with the wonderful sunshine. I ventured on all 3 mountains today exploring the woods and also enjoying the groomed terrain. Upper Drifter was groomed last night and is skiing very nicely. I like to stop at different spots when I’m on Upper Drifter just to take in the fantastic views. As I was skiing by Shuttle I noticed that too had been groomed recently. I took a left and made a few GS turns before letting my skis run. The smooth surface made the dip easy to manage and was able to carry my speed up the other side no problem.

Snow Sport University Ski Instructor Larry Arnold on Lower Morse Liftline

Tomorrow we plan to have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 6 lifts operating. We have all 78 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Robin’s Run is open from the work road down to Freefall. Freefall is open from the traverse on Upper FIS. 33 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Waterfall, Bootlegger, and Curley’s Cutback for a grand total of 127 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Tomorrow’s forecast is mostly cloudy skies with a chance of flurries early and a high of 33 degrees.

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100 percent open

Posted March 11, 2018 at 4:58 pm

Fresh tracks on Upper Exhibition

We received 8 inches of new snow in the past 24 hours and 24 inches in the past 4 days. All the new snow made it easy to talk my son Hugh B into getting up early. He came to work with me this morning and we were the second chair on Sterling. One of his favorite trails is Exhibition and he likes it even more with fresh snow! It has not been windy during all the snowfall, so the snow is a nice consistent blanket of fluff. It did not matter where you went because it was all good!

We have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 6 lifts operating. We have 78 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. 39 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Upper Drifter, Harvey’s Hideaway, and Curley’s Cutback for a grand total of 145 acres of freshly groomed terrain.

Fresh and deep

Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for partly sunny skies with increasing clouds and temperatures between 23 and 35 degrees. The increasing clouds are the beginning of the next snow storm. We could see up to 4 more inches of snow Monday night into Tuesday. There is snow in the forecast right through Thursday.

Hayleigh having fun in all the new snow

River on Doc Dempsey’s

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Birch Run Terrain Park

Posted March 5, 2018 at 3:31 pm

We received 3 inches of new snow in the past 24 hours and 7 inches in the past 4 days! The conditions are wonderful and the trail count keeps climbing higher. There is more snow in the forecast starting on Wednesday with up to 12 inches of new snow possible by the weekend. This will really make the trail count climb. Tomorrow we plan to have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 7 lifts operating. We now have 63 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. 35 trails will be groomed tonight, including Playground, Bootlegger, and Curley’s Cutback for a grand total of 135 acres of freshly groomed terrain.

Tomorrow is the calm before the storm with partly sunny skies and temperatures between 24 and 35 degrees.