Hugh's Views - Smugglers' Notch Vermont

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It is going to be another beautiful day

Posted March 13, 2019 at 6:42 am

Morning light over the Village

Lifts and Trails

We are 99 percent open. Today we have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 6 lifts operating, including the Madonna I Lift. We have 77 out of 78 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Black Hole, Freefall, 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. 43 trails have been groomed for today, including Catwalk, Ruthie’s, Snow Snake, Log Jam, Hangman’s Drop, and Smugglers’ Alley for a grand total of 154 acres of freshly groomed terrain.

Weather

Currently it is 20 degrees at the summit of Sterling with bluebird skies and winds of 5 to 10 mph. Today’s forecast is calling for mostly sunny skies early with increasing clouds and temperatures between 20 and 35 degrees.

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Morse Mountain Fun

Posted February 25, 2019 at 9:25 am

Lower Morse Liftline

Lifts and Trails

We have 77 skiable trails and 16 lift accessible trails open today. The Madonna I lift, Madonna II lift, Sterling lift, and the Village lift is presently on wind hold. We have 3 lifts operating the Morse Highlands lift, Mogul Mouse’s Magic lift, and Sir Henry’s Glider. Surface conditions are packed powder and machine groomed with average base depths of 24 to 54 inches. 14 out of the 16 trails have been groomed for today, including Snow Snake and Log Jam.

New Snow

We received 3 to 5 inches of new snow in the past 24 hours and 311 inches this season so far.

Weather

Currently it is 18 degrees at the summit of Morse with light snow and winds of 20 to 30 mph. Today’s forecast is calling for snow showers 2 to 4 inches of accumulation possible with temperatures between 9 and 26 degrees.

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Cat Trax Express

Posted February 24, 2019 at 8:32 am

Beautiful sunset seen from the summit of Madonna last night

Take a snowcat ride to the top of our world!

Our 12-passenger cabin snowcat ride gives your family thrills like you have never experienced before!

Whether you join the fireworks run on Thursday evening or one of the early evening mountain tours on Saturday or Monday you’ll want to come back for more!

Guided by experienced snowcat drivers with stories about the area and its natural history.

Evening Upper Mountain Tour
Monday & Saturday 4:45 pm
Meet at the Madonna/Sterling Base Lodge

Top of Morse Fireworks Tour
Thursday 7:15 pm
Meet at the base of Morse Mountain, near the Gazebo.

Lifts and Trails

We have 77 skiable trails and 41 lift accessible trails open today. The Madonna I lift, Madonna II lift, Mogul Mouse’s Magic lift, and the Village lift are presently on wind hold. We have 4 lifts operating, Sterling, Sterling T-Bar, Morse Highlands, and Sir Henry’s Glider. Surface conditions are packed powder and machine groomed with average base depths of 24 to 54 inches. 33 trails have been groomed for today, including Ruthie’s, Log Jam, and Black Snake for a grand total of 135 acres of freshly groomed terrain.

Weather

Currently it is snowing and 20 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 20 to 30 mph. Today’s forecast is calling for snow and sleet with 1 to 2 inches of accumulation possible, chance of freezing rain becoming rain later in the day with temperatures between 26 and 36 degrees. Tonight’s forecast is calling for snow 3 to 5 inches of accumulation possible.

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Another day in paradise

Posted February 17, 2019 at 7:32 am

View from the Village

Lifts and Trails

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. Robin’s Run is closed. Surface conditions are packed powder and powder with average base depths of 24 to 54 inches. 38 trails have been groomed for today, including Ruthie’s, Log Jam, and Jolly Rodger for a grand total of 146 acres of freshly groomed terrain. 6 terrain parks are open.

Weather

Currently it is 1 degree at the summit of Sterling with winds of 5 to 10 mph. Today’s forecast is calling from mostly sunny skies with temperature between 9 and 19 degrees.

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Beautiful sunny skies with snowmaking clouds

Posted January 7, 2019 at 8:18 am

Morning glow over the Village

Snowmaking

Last night we made snow on Dixie’s Knoll, Sam’s Run, Log Jam, Hibernator, Snow Snake, Sir Henry’s, and the base area of Morse. Snowmaking continues today on Hibernator, Snow Snake, and Log Jam. Snow Snake and Log Jam is closed today due to snowmaking.

Lifts and Trails

Today 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 68 trails open today with terrain for all ability levels. 28 trails have been groomed for today, including Upper Drifter, Wanderer, and Thomke’s for a grand total of 120 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are packed powder and powder with average base depths of 14 to 44 inches. Birch Run Terrain Park and Lower Knight’ Revenge Terrain Park are open.

Natural Snowfall

We received 4 inches of new snow in the past 36 hours, 16 inches in the past week, and 159 inches this season so far. We have snow in the forecast starting tonight into Thursday with up to a foot of accumulation possible. We could see 2 to 4 inches of accumulation tonight and another inch during the day tomorrow. Tuesday night could bring 1 to 3 inches of snow with another 3 to 5 inches of accumulation during the day on Wednesday.

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Snowmaking has resumed and natural snowfall

Posted January 6, 2019 at 6:19 pm

Brees through the trees

New Snow

We received 3 to 4 inches of new snow in the past 24 hours, 16 inches in the past 6 days, and 159 inches this season so far!

Snowmaking

We are presently making snow on Dixie’s Knoll, Sam’s Run, Hibernator, Log Jam, and Snow Snake. We plan to continue snowmaking on Snow Snake and Log Jam tomorrow, so they will be closed for the day.

Snowmaking on Sam’s Run

Lifts and Trails

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 68 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Surface conditions are packed powder and powder with average base depths of 14 to 44 inches. 28 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Ruthie’s, Magic Learning Trail, and Smugglers’ Alley for a grand total of 120 acres of freshly groomed terrain.

Tele turns on the Practice Slope

Weather

Currently it is cloudy and 15 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 15 to 25 mph. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for increasing clouds with temperatures between 4 and 18 degrees. The snowfall event comes in multiple parts, light snow on Tuesday, heavier snow on Wednesday, and scattered snow showers into Thursday. We could see a storm total of over 12 inches by Thursday night.

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Mountains of adventure and mountains of fun

Posted December 26, 2018 at 5:19 pm

Treasure Run

Lifts and Trails

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 29 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. 27 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Smugglers’ Alley, Upper Chilcoot, and Log Jam for a grand total of 109 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are machine groomed and variable with average base depths of 12 to 40 inches.

Thomke’s

Snowmaking

Today our snowmakers were busy on Lower Chilcoot and Meadowlark. Tonight they plan to continue snowmaking on these two trails.

Weather

Currently it is partly sunny and 16 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 0 to 5 mph. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for sunny skies early with increasing clouds later in the day with temperatures between 15 and 24 degrees.

360 in Birch Run Terrain Park

Snow

We received a dusting of new snow this morning, 8 inches in the past 5 days, and 137 inches this season so far!

Old School Daffy

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More beginner terrain opens tomorrow

Posted December 21, 2018 at 5:27 pm

Smugglers’ Alley

Lifts and Trails

Weather permitting tomorrow we plan to have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 6 lifts operating. The Morse Highlands area opens tomorrow with Log Jam and Dixie’s Knoll. We plan to have 41 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Trails will be checked in the morning and some may close. Surface conditions are variable and machine groomed with average base depths of 12 to 40 inches. 16 trails will be groomed early in the morning for a grand total of 72 acres of freshly groomed terrain.

Weather

Currently it is 39 degrees at the summit of Sterling with light rain and winds of 15 to 25 mph. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for rain becoming snow 1 to 3 inches of accumulation possible with temperatures between 19 and 37 degrees. Temperatures will be falling through out the day. The forecast is calling for another 1 to 3 inches of snow on Saturday night.

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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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Deep base depths

Posted March 18, 2018 at 3:42 pm

Snow bell

We received 52 inches of new snow in the past 6 days, 83 inches in the month of March so far, and 286 inches this season. All 3 mountains are in great shape.

We are 100 percent open with 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. 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 Ruthie’s, Jolly Rodger, and Log Jam for a grand total of 152 acres of freshly groomed terrain.

Ken enjoying the sunshine and fresh snow

Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for mostly sunny skies with a high of 23 degrees. It is going to be another beautiful day out on the mountain!

Snow Reporter doing a base depth check