Hugh's Views - Smugglers' Notch Vermont

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Extreme Challenge

Posted February 25, 2024 at 4:39 pm

It was amazing to watch skiers and riders taking on the Madonna Liftline today. One of the best parts of today was the support that the competitors gave each other. It was wonderful to hear them cheer for all the athletes. I believe the photo below sums up that feeling! I want to thank everyone who helped make this great event possible. It’s appreciated by many!

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 41 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. 31 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Upper FIS, Snow Snake, and Smugglers’ Alley, for a total of 130 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are machine groomed and loose granular with average base depths of 12 to 40 inches. We plan to have Birch Run Terrain Park open tomorrow. Currently, it is sunny and 20 degrees at the summit of Sterling. Tonight’s forecast is snow showers, with an inch of accumulation possible. Tomorrow’s forecast calls for cloudy skies with a chance of flurries, a high of 36 degrees at the base, and 29 degrees at higher elevations.

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Predicted snowfall increases

Posted March 4, 2021 at 5:15 pm

The forecast now says that we could see 3 to 7 inches of new snow tonight. Tomorrow’s forecast is also snow with another 3 to 7 inches of accumulation possible and a high of 14 degrees. We could see an additional 1 to 3 inches of new snow on Friday night. Tomorrow we plan to have 5 lifts operating, Madonna I, Madonna II, Village, Mogul Mouse’s Magic, and Sir Henry’s Glider. The Sterling Lift will be closed tomorrow March 5th for a mechanical repair. We have 54 skiable trails and 38 lift accessible trails open tomorrow. Surface conditions are packed powder and machine groomed with average base depths of 16 to 50 inches. 31 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Ruthie’s, Drifter, Upper FIS, Snow Snake, and Lower Rumrunner for a grand total of 121 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Currently it is partly sunny and 5 degrees at the summit of Sterling.

Ski Patroller Robert Stuart wonders how much snow will we get?

Sterling and Mount Mansfield seen from the Madonna I Lift

Private snowboard lesson on Lower Morse Liftline

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Extreme Challenge

Posted March 3, 2021 at 5:22 pm

Tomorrow, March 4th, the Smugglers’ Notch Ski and Snowboard Club hosts this exciting event – an opportunity for junior and adult freeskiers and riders to show their big mountain skiing on the most difficult terrain the East has to offer. Spectators are not allowed on the trail but will be treated to an amazing birds-eye view from Madonna I lift.

We have 54 skiable trails and 38 lift-accessible trails open tomorrow. The Sterling Lift will be closed Thursday, March 4th and Friday, March 5th for a mechanical repair. If you park in Parking Lot 1 you can ski or ride back to your vehicle by taking Shuttle, Crossover, Treasure Run, Lower Exhibition, and the Practice Slope.

Tomorrow we plan to have 5 lifts operating; Madonna I, Madonna II, Village, Mogul Mouse’s Magic, and Sir Henry’s Glider. 32 trails will be groomed for tomorrow including Snow Snake and Shuttle for a grand total of 128 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are packed powder and machine groomed with base depths of 16 to 50 inches. We received 6 inches of new snow in the past 24 hours, 11 inches in the past 5 days, and 184 inches this season so far. Currently, it is snowing and 21 degrees at the summit of Sterling. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for sunny skies early with increasing clouds and a chance of light snow later in the afternoon, breezy, and a high of 18 degrees. Bundle up and enjoy the wonderful conditions.

Sterling Mountain will be open to uphill traffic tomorrow during the day. Please stay off of Treasure Run, Lower Rumrunner, Crossover, and Lower Exhibition when ascending due to downhill traffic.

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Bash Badge PLUS!

Posted March 10, 2020 at 3:27 pm

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Extreme Challenge

Posted March 2, 2019 at 6:45 pm

Competitors picking their line before the event begins

The competition was amazing with beautiful weather, great conditions, 120 athletes, and Madonna Liftline! For the first time snowboarders and skiers competed in the Extreme Challenge. This event showcases what Smuggs has to offer when it comes to gnarly terrain, but what it really showcased was some of the best skiers and riders around. I could not believe how big these skiers and rider were going! This event brought in athletes from all over New England and even Canada. I would like thank all the volunteers plus the Smugglers’ Notch Ski and Snowboard Club for all their hard work to make the event possible!

Judges hard at work

Lifts and Trails

We are 99 percent open. Tomorrow we plan to have top to bottom and 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. We plan to groom 38 trails tonight, including Ruthie’s, Snow Snake, and Smugglers’ Alley for a grand total of 148 acres of freshly groomed terrain.

The finish line and spectators

Weather

Currently it is partly cloudy and 22 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 0 to 5 mph. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for partly sunny skies, with increasing clouds later in the day and temperatures between 20 and 34 degrees.

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156 acres of freshly groomed terrain

Posted March 2, 2019 at 7:56 am

Groomers headed back up Meadowlark after finishing Lower Morse Liftine

Lifts and Trails

We are 99 percent open. Today we 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. 46 trails have been groomed for today, including Upper FIS, Ruthie’s, Snow Snake, Hibernator, Bootlegger, Chute, Hangman’s Drop, and Smugglers’ Alley.

Weather

Currently it is 20 degrees at the summit of Sterling with partly cloudy skies and winds of 0 to 5 mph. Today’s forecast is calling for partly cloudy skies with a chance of light snow later in the day and temperatures between 22 and 30 degrees.

Events

Smugglers’ Notch Extreme Challenge is today on Madonna Liftline just below mid-station. This year for the first time snowboarders will be competing. There is 120 competitors signed up for the event! Spectators are welcome. You can watch from the edge of 3 Mountain Glades, just above the intersection of Madonna Liftine and Link, or the best seat in the house will be the Madonna I Lift as you ride right over all the action.

Free Family Fun Race Saturdays and Sundays on Lower Madonna Liftline from 11 am till 2 pm.

Black Bear Apres Sport Party this weekend draft specials featuring the Shed.

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Extreme Challenge

Posted March 1, 2019 at 5:57 pm

Jim Laporte and Bryan Salatino getting everything ready for the big event!

The Extreme Challenge is tomorrow Saturday, March 2nd. This year it is open to skier and riders. There are 120 competitors signed up to take on Madonna Liftline from mid-station down to Tower 11. This section of Liftline has many gnarly features and a double fall line. Spectators are welcome. You can check out the action from where Mulcahy’s Link meets Madonna Liftline or you can watch from 3 Mountain Glades.

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It is time to get extreme!

Posted February 23, 2019 at 8:39 am

This year the Extreme Challenge competition is open to both skiers and snowboarders! For more information and to sign up just go to the Smugglers’ Notch Ski Club

Lifts and Trails

We are 100 percent open! We have 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. Freefall, the Black Hole, and Madonna Liftline are open from the traverse on Upper FIS. Surface conditions are packed powder and powder with average base depths of 24 to 54 inches. 42 trails have been groomed for today, including Bootleggers, Smugglers’ Alley, Snow Snake, and Hibernator for a grand total of 160 acres of freshly groomed terrain.

Weather

Currently it is 16 degrees at the summit of Sterling with partly sunny skies and winds of 0 to 10 mph. Today’s forecast is partly sunny skies with temperatures between 19 and 29 degrees.