Rockin Ron for Hugh. Here with the news before the moon sets… we plan to have 32 trails open and 6 lifts running. Madonna I will be closed all day for grooming operations. The forecast is mostly sunny and breezy, with a high near 33.
Morning Moon
Forecast
Colder temperatures return tonight
It was another great day of spring skiing and riding today. Tomorrow is the first day of spring, but it will feel more like the return of winter. Tonight’s forecast is calling for snow showers with 1 to 3 inches of accumulation possible on top. Tomorrow’s forecast is cloudy skies with a chance of a snow shower and a high of 38 degrees at the base and 30 degrees at higher elevations. Madonna Mountain will be closed tomorrow for grooming operations and we plan to have it open again on Tuesday. Tomorrow we plan to have 5 lifts operating; Sterling, Village, Mogul Mouse’s Magic, Morse Highlands, and Sir Henry’s Glider. We have 29 trails open tomorrow with terrain for all ability levels. 21 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Smugglers’ Alley, Garden Path, Curley’s Cutback, and Black Snake for a grand total of 90 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are machine groomed and variable with average base depths of 6 to 40 inches. Birch Run Terrain Park is open with 3 jumps and 6 rails. Currently, it is 29 degrees at the summit of Madonna with light snow and winds of 10 to 15 mph.
Uphill Travel
All 3 mountains are presently closed to uphill travel.
Here it comes
There is a winter storm warning until 10 pm tonight. Today’s forecast is calling for periods of snow with 7 to 11 inches of accumulation possible, a high of 20 degrees at the base, and 13 degrees at higher elevations. The Village Lift will open at 8:30 am this morning due to snowmaking and grooming operations. Mogul Mouse’s Magic Lift and Morse Highlands Lift will open at 9 am. Today 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 35 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Surface conditions are machine groomed and loose granular with average base depths of 12 to 46 inches. Surface conditions will be changing throughout the day with all the new snow. Last night we made snow on Midway, Meadowlark, Magic Learning Trail, and Sir Henry’s Learning Hill.
Uphill Travel
Sterling Mountain is open from 5:30 am till 7:30 am
Morse Mountain open 5 pm till 10 pm
Sometimes it’s better to leave it alone
Tonight’s forecast is calling for temperatures to fall through the night. At around 3 am it falls below freezing. The forecasted rain then turns to sleet, becoming snow with 1 to 2 inches of accumulation possible. The temperature is going to fall 30 degrees between 1 am and 7 am. The existing snow will be pretty wet as the new snow falls on top. The new snow will insulate the wet snow as the temperature is falling rapidly. This will protect the wet snow from a flash freeze. Grooming wet snow is like stirring a cake mix. The stirring action brings the moisture to the top. If we groom tonight and tomorrow morning it will bring the moisture from the wet snow to the surface and it will flash freeze. If we leave it alone we believe that would provide the best skiing and riding experience on Friday.
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 plan to have 34 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Surface conditions are variable and loose granular with average base depths of 14 to 46 inches. Currently, it is cloudy and 40 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 15 to 30 mph. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for snow showers an inch of accumulation possible with a high of 13 degrees at the base and 7 degrees at the top. Temperatures will be falling throughout the day.
Uphill Travel
All 3 mountains are presently closed to uphill traffic. Stay tuned for updates.
Uphill Travel
All 3 mountains will be closed to uphill travel this Saturday night and Sunday morning. The forecast is calling for above freezing temperatures mid-mountain and lower on Saturday. The temperature will fall below freezing pretty quickly on Saturday night. We will need extensive grooming Saturday night and Sunday morning to provide the best snow quality for Sunday.
Predicted snowfall totals increase a bit
Today: Light snow before 3 pm, then snow after 3 pm. Temperature falling to around 16 degrees by 5 pm. The chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches is possible.
Tonight: Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 9 degrees. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 6 to 10 inches is possible.
Friday: Snow. High near 10 degrees. The chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches is possible.
We received an inch of new snow on top overnight. Currently, it is 30 degrees at the summit of Sterling with light snow and winds of 5 to 10 mph. Today we plan to have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 5 lifts operating, including the Madonna I Lift. We have 60 trails open today with terrain for all ability levels. This weekend we plan to be 100 percent open. 26 trails have been groomed for today, including Treasure Run, Howie’s Wanderer, and Upper FIS 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 44 inches. Surface conditions will be changing throughout the day with the new snowfall.
Flurries in the forecast
We received a dusting to an inch of new snow this morning and 10 inches in the past 5 days. Currently, it is 15 degrees at the summit of Sterling with light snow and winds of 5 to 10 mph. Today’s forecast is calling for cloudy skies with a chance of snow showers early with half an inch of accumulation possible and a high of 20 degrees. The temperature will be falling throughout the day. Bundle up and enjoy the wonderful conditions. Today we plan to have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains. We have 5 lifts operating; Sir Henry’s Glider, Mogul Mouse’s Magic Lift, Village Lift, Sterling Lift, and Madonna I Lift. We have 66 trails open today with terrain for all ability levels. 24 trails have been groomed for today, including Smugglers’ Alley, Garden Path, and Playground for a grand total of 116 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Birch Run Terrain Park is open with 3 jumps and 3 rails. Surface conditions are packed powder and machine groomed with average base depths of 12 to 42 inches. Snowmaking continues around the clock on Upper FIS and we plan to have it open this weekend.
Uphill Travel
Sterling Mountain is open 5:30 am till 7:30 am
Morse Mountain open 5:00 pm till 10:00 pm
Madonna Mountain is presently closed to uphill travel but will open soon.
Let it snow
Tonight: A 50 percent chance of snow, mainly after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 18 degrees. New snow accumulation of less than a half-inch possible.
Friday: Snow likely before 1 pm, then snow showers likely after 1 pm. Cloudy, with a high near 21 degrees. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches is possible.
Friday Night: Snow showers likely, mainly before 9 pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 0 degrees. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches is possible.
Tomorrow we plan to have skiing and riding on all 3 mountains. We have 23 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. 20 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Smugglers’ Alley, Snow Snake, and Lower FIS for a grand total of 86 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Tomorrow we plan to have 5 lifts operating; Sterling, Madonna II, Village, Mogul Mouse’s Magic Lift, and Sir Henry’s Glider. Surface conditions are machine groomed and loose granular with average base depths of 6 to 32 inches. Currently it is snowing and 18 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 5 to 15 mph. We received 1 to 2 inches of new snow today and 74 inches this season so far.
Wake-y, wake-y Smugglers’ Village
Good morning skiers and riders, this is Rockin’ Ron for Hugh. We’ve received 4 inches of snow in the past 5 days. We have 4 lifts operating and 21 trails open with terrain for all abilities. 68 acres have been groomed. Today’s forecast is mostly sunny skies with a high of 22 degrees. See U on the slopes!
It’s snowing again
Currently, it is snowing and 17 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 5 to 10 mph. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for a chance of showers between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm, then rain and wind after 3:00 pm with a high of 43. Lift service may be affected by the wind. Weather permitting tomorrow we plan to have Sterling Lift, Sir Henry’s Glider, and Mogul Mouse’s Magic Lift open to mid-station. We have 5 intermediate trails, 4 beginner trails, and 1 expert trail open at this time. Surface conditions are machine groomed and packed powder with average base depths of 18 to 40 inches.
Mask wearing is mandatory! You should wear your mask in line, in the parking lot, and on the chair. You can ski or ride without your mask, but please put it back on before going into the lift corral. Thank you for your understanding. We want to have a safe season!
The Madonna/Sterling Base Lodge is open daily for bathrooms and Cafeteria (8:30 am – 3 pm) and Black Bear reservations under smuggs.com/blackbear.
