Hugh's Views - Smugglers' Notch Vermont

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Skiing and riding on all 3 mountains

Posted January 16, 2023 at 4:06 pm

Smugglers’ Alley with a snowmaking cloud in the valley

Midway with Madonna Mountain in the background

I want to thank our snowmakers, groomers, and patrollers for all their efforts to get more trails open. Today we opened Lower FIS, Father Bob’s off the top, Goat Path, Bootlegger, McPherson’s, Deer Run Glades, Highlander Glades, and Dan’s Ford! Mulcahy’s Link opened from the top of Lower Chilcoot down to Lower FIS. Tomorrow we plan to have Lower Madonna Liftline also open. Our snowmakers are presently busy on Birch Run and Lower Rumrunner. We plan to groom out Lower Rumrunner tonight and have it open for tomorrow. Tomorrow we plan to have the Madonna II Lift, Morse Highlands Lift, Sterling Lift, Mogul Mouse’s Magic Lift, Village Lift, and Sir Henry’s Glider all operating. We now have 41 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. 21 out of the 41 open trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Smugglers’ Alley, Lower FIS, and Dixie’s Knoll for a grand total of 98 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are machine-groomed and variable with average base depths of 6 to 24 inches. Currently, it is cloudy and 10 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 5 to 10 mph. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for partly sunny skies early with increasing clouds and a high of 31 degrees.

The Nordic Center is open with 9 km of cross-country skiing, 15 km of snowshoeing, and the ice rink.

This coming weekend the featured beer for the apres sports parties at Bootlegger’s and the Black Bear Tavern is Labatts.

Uphill travel is open on Morse Mountain from 5 pm to 10 pm Friday through Wednesday. Morse Mountain is closed Thursday evenings due to fireworks and Cat Trax Tours.

Madonna and Sterling are presently closed to uphill travel until more trails are open. Stay tuned for updates

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Scenes from a Vermont Resort

Posted December 6, 2022 at 4:10 pm

Rockin’ Ron for Hugh. Woo-hoo! I made my first turns of the season and got kudos from Patroller Bob Oser (the mustache that claims credit for the ‘stache gladed trail). The snow was very carvable and enjoyable. Saw some familiar faces and some new faces. Below are scenes from a Vermont Resort (apologies to Billy Joel).

NOTE: Due to weather conditions, we may have delayed grooming and opening schedules for Wednesday, December 7th.

There are always willing “parties” in Lot 1

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Calm before the storm

Posted March 31, 2021 at 3:49 pm

Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for periods of snow 5 to 9 inches of accumulation possible with a high of 34 degrees and falling throughout the day. Tomorrow night’s forecast is also calling for snow with another 1 to 3 inches possible. Tomorrow we plan to have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 4 lifts operating, including the Madonna I Lift. We plan to have 25 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Surface conditions will be variable and machine groomed with average base depths of 10 to 44 inches. 7 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Garden Path and Lower Morse Liftline for a grand total of 31 acres of freshly groomed terrain.

Sterling and Mount Mansfield seen from the Madonna I Lift

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Good morning

Posted March 11, 2021 at 7:20 am

Currently it is partly cloudy and 44 degrees at the summit of Madonna with winds of 10 to 20 mph. Today’s forecast is calling for cloudy skies early becoming partly sunny with a high of 57 degrees. Today we plan to have 5 lifts operating, Mogul Mouse’s Magic, Village, Madonna 1, Madonna 2, and Sir Henry’s Glider. The Sterling Lift will be closed today and tomorrow, but we plan to have it open this weekend. We have 67 skiable trails and 43 lift accessible trails open today. Surface conditions are variable and machine groomed with average base depths of 16 to 50 inches. 19 trails have been groomed for today, including Curley’s Cutback, Magic Learning Trail, Waterfall, Mulcahy’s Link, and Treasure Run for a grand total of 82 acres of freshly groomed terrain.

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.

Sterling Mountain is open during the day to uphill traffic. Please use Parking Lot 1, Practice Slope, old rope tow line, and Black Snake to ascend. There will be downhill traffic on Lower Rumrunner, Treasure Run, and Lower Exhibition.

Employees can ski or ride today.

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Thank you groomers

Posted March 9, 2021 at 8:21 am

While we sleep and dream about another great day of skiing and riding, there are groomers out on the hill. In fact, we have two shifts of groomers each night. The first shift starts once all the skiers and riders are off the mountain. They are usually working on the Upper Mountains and work until around midnight. The second shift then takes over and they are usually working on Morse Mountain. Morse Mountain is done last that way when we get new snow the groomers can provide some beautiful corduroy on the beginner trails for our skiers and riders. I don’t ski or ride in jeans, but I sure do love corduroy!

Today 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 for a few days for a mechanical repair. We have 67 skiable trails and 44 lift-accessible trails open tomorrow. 28 trails have been groomed for today, including, Ruthie’s, Drifter, Gary B’s, Snow Snake, Curley’s Cutback, and Treasure Run for a grand total of 114 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are machine groomed and packed powder with average base depths of 16 to 50 inches. Currently, it is cloudy and 20 degrees at the summit of Madonna with winds of 5 to 15 mph. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for cloudy skies, a chance of snow, and or mix with a high of 37 degrees. 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.

Sterling Mountain is open during the day to uphill traffic. Please use Parking Lot 1, Practice Slope, old rope tow line, and Black Snake to ascend. There will be downhill traffic on Lower Rumrunner, Treasure Run, and Lower Exhibition.

Employees can ski or ride today.

Groomer Richard Guyette says the slopes are ready for skiing and riding!

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Good day sunshine

Posted March 8, 2021 at 6:25 pm

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 for a few days for a mechanical repair. We will have 67 skiable trails and 44 lift-accessible trails open tomorrow. 28 trails will be groomed for today, including, Drifter, Gary B’s, Snow Snake, Curley’s Cutback, and Treasure Run for a grand total of 114 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are packed powder and machine groomed with base depths of 16 to 50 inches. Currently, it is partly cloudy and 18 degrees at the summit of Sterling. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for cloudy skies with a chance of freezing drizzle before 10 am and a high of 32 degrees. 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.

Sterling Mountain is open during the day to uphill traffic. Please use Parking Lot 1, Practice Slope, old rope tow line, and Black Snake to ascend. There will be downhill traffic on Lower Rumrunner, Treasure Run, and Lower Exhibition.

Employees can ski or ride tomorrow.

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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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Time to get FLAKEY!

Posted December 22, 2020 at 3:21 pm

Rockin’ Ron for Hugh. With COVID-19, there are some new procedures on the mountain like the ghost lines at the lift corrals and only riding up with the people in your arrival party. But… there are more things that are the same. There’s seeing familiar faces of friends and co-workers like Larry, Dara & Darrell (OK, Darrell is there for comedic effect). There’s a sense of joyful anticipation in Parking Lot 1. And even if it’s not another beautiful day, there’s the unmatched thrill of skiing or riding down the mountain! You know the saying “the worst day of skiing is better than the best day in the office.” It’s time to get FLAKEY!

This snowman says “with snow and snowmaking in the near future, it’s time to get FLAKEY!”

Lower Exhibition as viewed from the Sterling Lift.

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Winter Wonderland

Posted January 13, 2020 at 5:26 pm

**Harley having fun on Smugglers’ Alley**

I want to thank our snowmakers for their hard work last night. They made snow top to bottom on Morse and freshened up the trails nicely! Our groomers did a great job of smoothing out all the whales this morning in a timely fashion to get the lifts turning. Speaking of lifts, I also want to mention our lift staff for their hard work of cleaning off all the chairs and getting the lifts ready to operate today. Our snowmakers have now moved to Madonna Mountain. We are presently making snow on Upper Chilcoot. Tomorrow we plan to have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 6 lifts operating. The Madonna I Lift will have a delayed opening due to snowmaking. We have 24 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Surface conditions are machine groomed and variable with average base depths of 10 to 48 inches. All 24 trails will be groomed for tomorrow for a grand total of 104 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for partly sunny skies with a high of 27 degrees.

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Snowmaking and natural snowfall

Posted January 6, 2020 at 5:23 pm

**Snowmaking tower guns on Black Snake**

**Snow Sport University Ski Instructor Larry Arnold giving a few pointers before his class heads on to the snow.**

**Greg gets the grab and Rob gets the pic**

We received 3 inches of new snow today and 10 inches in the past 3 days! The conditions just keep getting better. Upper Madonna Liftline was open today from the top down to the Robin’s Run work road. I was going to ski Catwalk down to Shuttle, but when Madonna Liftline is open I have to ski it. I am so glad that I did! I found some great pockets of fresh snow to play in. Once I was on the work road I skied it all the way to Goat Path. The work road holds the snow really well because it is protected from the wind and the snow lays down like a nice blanket. I also played in the woods today and found some sweet untracked turns. I was pretty quiet here today so there are many stashes left to find 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 46 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Surface conditions are packed powder and powder with average base depths of 12 to 48 inches. 24 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Smugglers’ Alley and Sam’s Run for a grand total of 96 acres of freshly groomed terrain. We also plan to groom Upper FIS from the bottom of Freefall down to “Times Square” Mulcahy’s Link. We are making snow around the clock on Black Snake, Snake Bite, and the Practice Slope. Currently, it is snowing and 22 degrees at the summit of Sterling. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for mostly sunny skies with a high of 25 degrees.