Hugh's Views - Smugglers' Notch Vermont

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It’s going to be another great day on the slopes

Posted December 26, 2018 at 8:09 am

The moon over the Village

Snow

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

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 29 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. All 29 trails have been groomed for today, that’s a grand total of 108 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are machine groomed and variable with average base depths of 12 to 40 inches.

Snowmaking

Last night we made snow on Lower Chilcoot and Meadowlark. Snowmaking will continue on these trails today.

Weather

Currently it is 10 degrees at the summit of Sterling with light snow and winds of 5 to 10 mph. Today’s forecast is calling for partly cloudy skies with a chance of light snow up to an inch of accumulation possible with temperatures between 11 and 25 degrees.

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Happy Holidays

Posted December 24, 2018 at 4:27 pm

Snow

Snow Sport University Ski Instructor John Kurowski is all smiles over the new snow

We received 1 to 2 inches of new snow today, 6 inches in the past 3 days, and 135 inches of snowfall this season!

Lifts and Trails

Tomorrow we plan to have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 6 lifts operating. We have 27 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. All 27 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, that’s 101 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are machine groomed and variable with average base depths of 12 to 40 inches.

Snowmaking

Lift Operator Rusty Freeman out having fun on his day off

Today we made snow on Meadowlark, Mulcahy’s Link, Black Snake, Snake Bite, and the Practice Slope. Tonight we plan to make snow on Mulcahy’s Link and Lower Madonna Liftline.

Weather

Currently it is snowing and 26 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 0 to 5 mph. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for partly cloudy skies with temperatures between 11 and 24 degrees.

Pictured yourself here

Who is that loading chairs at Madonna I?

Snowmaking and natural snowfall today

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Snowmaking moves to the upper mountains tonight

Posted December 23, 2018 at 5:55 pm

Bottom of the S turn on Upper Chilcoot

Snowmaking

Today we made snow on Lower Morse Liftline, Midway, Meadowlark, and Garden Path. Tonight the snowmakers will be headed to Black Snake, Snake Bite, the Practice Slope, and Mulcahy’s Link. Snowmaking will continue throughout the day on Black Snake from the pine tree start (top of Harvey’s) down, so make sure you have your goggles.

Billy Bob and Mogul Mouse hanging by the fire after a great day on the slopes

Lifts and Trails

Tomorrow we plan to have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 6 lifts operating. We have 27 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Midway and Meadowlark will be open tomorrow. 26 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, that’s a grand total of 96 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are variable and machine groomed with average base depths of 12 to 36 inches.

Upper Chilcoot

Weather

Currently it is sunny and 15 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 5 to 10 mph. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for cloudy skies with a chance of light snow and temperatures between 19 and 31 degrees.

Snowmaking on Garden Path

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Snowmaking on Morse Mountain

Posted December 23, 2018 at 7:37 am

Tower guns on Lower Morse Liftline

Last night we made snow on Midway, Meadowlark, Garden Path, and Lower Morse Liftline. Midway is now open with snowmaking in operation. Snowmaking continues on Meadowlark which is closed today.

Lifts and Trails

We received 1 to 2 inches of new snow overnight. Today we plan to have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 6 lifts operating. We have 25 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. All 25 trails have been groomed for today, that’s a grand total of 108 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are variable and machine groomed with average base depths of 12 to 36 inches. Birch Run will have a delayed opening this morning

Moon over the Village

Weather

Currently it is 10 degrees at the summit of Sterling with flurries and winds of 5 to 10 mph. Today’s forecast is calling for increasing sunshine with temperatures between 17 and 27 degrees.

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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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Morse Mountain is lit up!

Posted December 5, 2018 at 8:37 am

Tower guns on Lower Morse Liftline

Snowmaking

We are presently making snow on Lower Morse Liftline, Garden Path, Meadowlark, the Riglet Park, and the Sledding Hill.

Lifts and Trails

Today we have the Sterling Lift and Sir Henry’s Glider operating with 32 trails open. Surface conditions are variable and machine groomed with average base depths of 14 to 48 inches. 11 trails have been groomed for today, including Smugglers’ Alley and Thomke’s for a grand total of 40 acres of freshly groomed terrain. This weekend we plan to have the Madonna I Lift operating which will make our trail count jump up again!

Snowmaking at the base of the Village Lift

Weather

Currently it is 14 degrees at the summit of Sterling with partly sunny skies and winds of 0 to 5 mph. Today’s forecast is calling for a mix of sun and clouds with temperatures between 14 and 26 degrees. We could see a few more inches of new snow Thursday into Friday.

Events

24th Annual Brewfest, Part 1 is this Saturday, December 8th.

Fan gun on the Sledding Hill

Vermont has the highest number of breweries per capita. Our BrewFest highlights some of our state’s excellent breweries plus regional favorites and craft ciders. Enjoy samples from Sam Adams, Angry Orchard Cider, Sierra Nevada, Stone, Rogue, and more. If your tastes run closer to home, don’t miss samples from Vermont’s own Citizen Cider, Magic Hat, Boyden Valley, Shed, Otter Creek, Switchback, Woodchuck Cider, Long Trail, Halyard Brewing, 14th Star, Zero Gravity, and Fiddlehead. More breweries are being added; stay tuned! A DJ spins the tunes and the Mountain Grille puts on a tasty appetizer buffet. 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm in the Meeting House. Tickets are available at the door; $22 entry includes 8 samples, munchies, and a souvenir sampling glass. 21 & older, please. BrewFest group lodging packages are available for groups of 20 or more; please call 800-521-0536.

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Soft conditions

Posted March 30, 2018 at 4:16 pm

Lamoille Union Middle School 7th graders here at Smuggs as part of their Fitness Friday Program. Photo credit: Melissa Piscitelli

We received a dusting of new snow on top this morning. The spring conditions are just so much fun! I had a blast today with good friends Ken and Justin on Sterling Mountain. We enjoyed Hangman’s Drop, Upper Pipeline, Black Snake, Harveys’ Hideaway, Full Nelson, and the Practice Slope. I would have to say that Upper Pipeline was my favorite today. It was recently groomed and was skiing very well.

Tomorrow we plan to have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with all 8 lifts operating. We have 57

Justin having fun on Upper Pipeline

trails open with terrain for all ability levels. 36 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Upper Drifter, Smugglers’ Alley, and Meadowlark for a grand total of 139 acres of freshly groomed terrain.

Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for mostly sunny skies early then partly sunny skies in the afternoon with a high of 42 degrees.

Ken loving the great conditions