Hugh's Views - Smugglers' Notch Vermont

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Let it snow

Posted February 27, 2023 at 7:31 am

44.56°N 72.75°W (Elev. 3343 ft)

Tonight: Snow likely, mainly after 1 am. Cloudy, with a low of around 10 degrees. The chance of precipitation is 60%. A new snow accumulation of around an inch is possible.

Tuesday: Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 23 degrees. The chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches is possible.

Tuesday Night: Snow before 8 pm, then snow showers likely between 8 pm and 10 pm. Low around 19 degrees. The chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches is possible.

Currently, it is partly sunny and 6 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 0 to 5 mph. Today’s forecast is calling for skies to become partly sunny with a high of 22 degrees at the base and 15 degrees at higher elevations. We received 2 inches of new snow overnight, 6 inches in the past 24 hours, and 19 inches in the past 6 days. 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 75 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. 34 trails have been groomed for today, including Chilcoot, Smugglers’ Alley, and Log Jam for a grand total of 132 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are packed powder and powder with average base depths of 12 to 36 inches.

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Great conditions

Posted February 23, 2023 at 5:08 pm

We received 8 inches of new snow in the past 24 hours and 10 inches in the past 2 days. Tonight’s forecast is periods of snow with 2 to 4 inches of accumulation possible. Tomorrow’s forecast calls for snow showers with another 1 to 2 inches of accumulation possible with a high of 5 degrees at the base and 3 degrees at higher elevations. Bundle up and enjoy the new snow! Tomorrow 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 70 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. 40 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Upper FIS, Drifter, Jolly Rodger, Smugglers’ Alley, Curley’s Cutback, and Log Jam for a grand total of 147 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are powder and packed powder with average base depths of 10 to 34 inches. Currently, it is 16 degrees at the summit of Sterling with flurries and winds of 5 to 10 mph.

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Calm before the storm

Posted February 22, 2023 at 4:08 pm

Tonight’s forecast is calling for periods of snow of 8 to 12 inches. Tomorrow’s forecast is snow showers another 3 to 5 inches of accumulation possible with a high of 24 degrees at the base and 18 degrees at higher elevations. Tomorrow night’s forecast is also snow for another 2 to 4 inches. Tomorrow 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 56 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. More trails may open during the day. 32 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Drifter, Snow Snake, and Magic Learning Trail for a grand total of 131 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions will be powder and packed powder with average base depths of 8 to 32 inches. Birch Run Terrain Park is open.

Uphill travel is only open on Sterling Mountain tomorrow morning from 5:30 am to 7:30 am.

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Here we go

Posted February 22, 2023 at 8:09 am

44.56°N 72.75°W (Elev. 3343 ft)

Tonight: Snow, mainly after 10 pm. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 13 degrees. The chance of precipitation is 100%. A new snow accumulation of 9 to 13 inches is possible.

Thursday: Snow, mainly before 2 pm. High near 17 degrees. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches is possible.

Thursday Night: Snow and sleet likely before 8 pm, then snow. Low around 3 degrees. The chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow and sleet accumulation of 1 to 3 inches is possible.

We received 1 to 2 inches of new snow overnight. Currently, it is sunny and 8 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 5 to 10 mph. Today’s forecast is calling for partly sunny skies with increasing clouds, a high of 21 degrees at the base, and 15 degrees at higher elevations. 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 47 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. 34 trails have been groomed for today, including Curley’s Cutback, Hibernator, Upper FIS, Snow Snake, Smugglers’ Alley, and Black Snake for a grand total of 134 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are machine-groomed and variable with average base depths of 8 to 32 inches.

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Proper Grooming and Dressing

Posted February 21, 2023 at 7:27 am

Rockin’ Ron for Hugh. While we wait for Mother Nature to deliver some freshies today and later this week, our groomers have been making the most of what we do have. 35 trails totaling 135 acres have been groomed. 7 Lifts, including Madonna I, will be operating, and 48 trails will be open. Today’s forecast is sunny and windy, then snow of 1-3 inches, with highs of 34 degrees at the base and 26 at the summit. Dress appropriately.

Getting the bare facts from Billy Bob Bear – University of Vermont (UVM) Students, aka Groovy UV’s, dressed for spring skiing a month early! They were taking advantage of their Presidents Day break.

“Long Island” Rick and his daughters Maya and Sasha at the Friendly Pirate’s Raingutter Regatta. Rick and his family have been coming to Smuggs for 10 years! He is one of Hugh’s and Hugh’s View’s biggest fans.

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Clear skies now and snow later

Posted February 9, 2023 at 7:35 am

View from the summit of Madonna this morning. Photo taken by Assistant Patrol Director Ethan Costello

Ski Patrol taking in the beautiful morning light on Madonna. Photo taken by Lift Maintenance Manager Boder Stevens

Currently, it is 24 degrees at the summit of Sterling with mostly sunny skies. Today’s forecast is calling for snow to develop with some mixed precipitation and 1 to 3 inches of accumulation possible on top, with a high of 35 degrees at the base and 32 degrees at higher elevations. 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 65 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. 31 trails have been groomed for today, including Upper FIS, Black Snake, and Log Jam for a grand total of 130 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are machine-groomed and variable with average base depths of 8 to 30 inches. There is more snow in the forecast for Friday night with another 2 to 4 inches of accumulation possible.

The Nordic Center is open with 15 km of snowshoeing and 17 km of cross-country trails. The ice rink is presently closed.

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

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A little fresh snow

Posted January 30, 2023 at 4:03 pm

We received an inch of new snow in the past 24 hours, 5 inches in the past 2 days, 20 inches in the past 5 days, and 57 inches in the month of January so far. We are also expecting another 1 to 2 inches of new snow tonight. Upper FIS was groomed last night from Catwalk down to Dan’s Ford. The fresh snow on top of the groomed terrain was a bunch of fun. Upper Madonna Liftline was open from the top down to the Robin’s Run work road. We are presently making snow on McPherson’s, Playground, Snake Bite, and Upper FIS below Dan’s Ford. Some of these trails are closed due to snowmaking. 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 69 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. 25 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Smugglers’ Alley, Upper FIS, and Howie’s Wanderer for a grand total of 107 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are machine-groomed and packed powder with average base depths of 8 to 30 inches. Currently, it is cloudy and 16 degrees at the summit of Sterling. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for cloudy skies early becoming partly sunny, with a high of 11 degrees with temperatures falling throughout the day. Bundle up and enjoy the great conditions!

The Nordic Center is open with 15 km of snowshoeing and 17 km of cross-country trails. The small ice rink is also open.

This weekend the featured beverage for the apres sports parties at Bootlegger’s and the Black Bear Tavern is Woodchuck.

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More open terrain

Posted January 23, 2023 at 10:46 am

Freefall is open from the top. The Headwall, Bermuda, Knight’s Revenge, and Shakedown are also open. Sterling Mountain is 100 percent open! 4 inches of new snow in the past 24 hours and 13 inches in the past 4 days. The conditions are just fantastic!

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A little foggy this afternoon

Posted March 31, 2022 at 3:22 pm

Some trails had to be closed until they softened this morning. The temperature rose pretty quickly and we had spring conditions in no time. My trail pick of the day was Upper FIS. The skiers’ right side was pretty smooth with soft conditions. Tomorrow we plan to have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 5 lifts operating, including Madonna I. We have 46 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. 26 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Chilcoot, Birch Run, Playground, Practice Slope, Curley’s Cutback, and Garden Path for a grand total of 110 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are machine groomed and variable with average base depths of 8 to 52 inches. Birch Run Terrain Park is open with 3 jumps and 6 rails. Currently, it is cloudy and 41 degrees with winds of 0 to 5 mph. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for rain turning to snow at the base and snow on top with 2 to 4 inches of accumulation possible. A high of 40 degrees at the base and 33 degrees at higher elevations with temperatures falling throughout the day. Tomorrow night’s forecast is snow showers another 3 to 5 of new snow possible at higher elevations.

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Partly Sunny or Partly Cloudy?

Posted March 29, 2022 at 2:18 pm

Rockin’ Ron for Hugh. Is it partly sunny or partly cloudy? Is the glass half-full or half-empty? Does a Mouse carry its lunch or walk to school? Diet or Regular? Is the worst day on the slopes better than the best day in the office? I can answer the last question with an unequivocal YES!

Snow Report for Wednesday: Tomorrow’s forecast is mostly sunny with a chance of late afternoon snow and a mid-mountain high of 33 degrees. We plan to have 5 lifts operating including Madonna I, and 50 trails open. 28 trails/114 acres are to be groomed.