Hugh's Views - Smugglers' Notch Vermont

0

Natural snow and snowmaking

Posted January 4, 2024 at 4:41 pm

We received 2 inches of new snow today and 80 inches this season so far! We are presently making snow on Practice Slope, Midway, Black Snake, Meadowlark, and Snake Bite. The Practice Slope, Snake Bite, and Black Snake will be closed tomorrow due to snowmaking operations. We plan to have these trails open this weekend. The new snow made a big difference today and will groom in the existing snow nicely. Tomorrow, we plan to have Sterling Lift, Village Lift, Mogul Mouse’s Magic Lift, and Sir Henry’s Glider operating. We will have 12 trails open for Friday, with terrain for all ability levels. All 12 trails will be groomed for tomorrow; that’s a total of 50 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are machine groomed and variable, with average base depths of 12 to 36 inches. Currently, it is 6 degrees at the summit of Sterling, with flurries and winds of 5 to 10 mph. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for mostly sunny skies with a high of 23 degrees at the base and 17 degrees at higher elevations.

0

Vitamin D and Fresh-E

Posted December 12, 2023 at 4:00 pm

Rockin’ Ron for Hugh. No, it’s not a Hip Hop group; it’s skiing or riding on a sunny day with fresh powder – 17 inches of new SNOW in the past 2 days! Good on you if you got on the mountain today. For Wednesday, we plan to have 20 trails open with terrain for all abilities. 12 trails will be groomed for a total of 47 acres. Grooming is scheduled for Garden Path and Lower Morse Liftline on Morse – we hope to open those trails soon. Due to grooming operations, Uphill Access is on Madonna only (beware of thin cover). Ski U soon.

ATTENTION BEGINNERS: Mogul Mouse’s Magic Lift is open and servicing the Magic Learning Trail and Howie’s Wanderer. Sir Henry’s Glider is also open and offers access to Sir Henry’s Learning Hill (our 1st Timers area).

Luis and Doug – your friendly Lifties at Mogul Mouse’s Magic Lift. Luis is from Costa Rica and is here for a second year as a cultural exchange student. Doug has worked for Mountain Ops for many years and this past summer with the Activities Department.

Snow-covered evergreens by the Evergreen Building… that makes sense.

0

Jeezum Crow, we’ve got SNOW!

Posted December 12, 2023 at 7:36 am

Rockin’ Ron for Hugh. 4 inches of new snow overnight and 17 inches in the past 2 days! We have 22 trails open with terrain for all abilities. 9 trails have been groomed, including Smugglers’ Alley. Uphill Access is limited to Madonna Mountain only.

View of the Village – it looks like a fairytale town.

An attempt at an artistic shot – looking down Treasures driveway.

2

Powder Day

Posted December 11, 2023 at 7:18 am

We received 6 inches of new snow overnight, and we are just getting started. Today’s forecast is snow showers with 10 to 14 inches of accumulation possible, with a high of 31 degrees at the base and 28 degrees at higher elevations. Temperatures will be falling throughout the day. Tonight’s forecast is also snow with another 2 to 4 inches. Currently, it is snowing and 27 degrees at the summit of Sterling. We plan to have Sterling Lift, Sir Henry’s Glider, and Mogul Mouse’s Magic Lift open to mid-station. We have 23 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Surface conditions are powder and packed powder with average base depths of 12 to 36 inches. More photos to come once the lifts are turning.

0

Thomas, doubt ye not, we have SNOW!

Posted December 5, 2023 at 4:34 pm

Rockin’ Ron for Hugh. As you drive through Jeffersonville and Cambridge, you might think there’s not much snow on the mountain, but au contraire, we’ve got PLENTY O’ SNOW on the Upper Mountains! 2″ in the past 24 hours and 15″ in the past 3 days. Nearly all the trails on Sterling are open – 26 in total, including Upper Pipeline, Black Bear, and Poachers Woods. Temps in the Village have allowed us to start making snow on Morse, so beginner terrain should be available soon. AND… grooming will begin on Madonna on Wednesday night. How’s that suit ya, Thomas?

NOTE on UPHILL ACCESS – due to snowmaking and grooming operations, there will be no Uphill Access on Madonna, Morse, and Sterling as of 4 pm on Wednesday, December 6th. Uphill Access will resume in the near future.

Take a gander at this pile of SNOW, Thomas!

Smuggs Entertainer Jammin’ Sam and Elizabeth. They have a mixed marriage – snowboarder and skier.

Snowmaking on Lower Madonna Liftline as viewed from the Base Lodge deck.

Former Activities Director Marge and longtime ski instructor June “Bug” enjoyed a run through Poachers Woods.

0

Powder Day

Posted December 4, 2023 at 9:55 am

We received 6 to 8 inches of snow overnight. It is pretty heavy and perfect for base building. Ski Patrol is busy dropping ropes this morning. We now have 24 trails open with terrain for experts and intermediates. We plan to have beginner terrain open in the near future. Surface conditions are powder and packed powder with average base depths of 12 to 36 inches. 6 trails have been groomed for today, including Smugglers’ Alley, for a total of 25 acres of freshly groomed terrain.

Assistant Patrol Director Ethan Costello on Bootlegger

Ski Instructor Oliver Blackman on Smugglers’ Alley

3

Winter has arrived!

Posted November 9, 2023 at 11:33 am

While we share your excitement for the new snowfall, please note that uphill travel on our three mountains is presently closed due to ongoing snowmaking and grooming activities. These operations are in full swing to ensure a fantastic opening on November 24th. Your cooperation and consideration for our hardworking staff are greatly appreciated during this preparation period. Keep an eye on our blog and snow report for updates on the potential opening of uphill terrain and read our Uphill Policy

For those eager to venture uphill once available, please check the daily Snow Report for open routes and times. Safety is our priority, and weather changes can affect our grooming schedules, particularly in the mornings on Sterling.

When accessible, nighttime access will be available on Morse, Madonna, and Sterling mountains on specific days and times, and morning access will be open daily on Sterling for a limited period. Uphill access rules and guidelines will be strictly enforced, including specific times for access, respecting ongoing operations, and a strict no-pets policy.

Be vigilant, stay safe, and abide by the rules outlined to ensure a smooth winter experience. We’re aiming to introduce uphill access on Lower Chilcoot during operating hours once fully open, which will be communicated via the Snow Report. Remember, your safety is paramount. Uphill travel is at your own risk, and it’s crucial to follow the guidelines and check the Snow Report regularly for any changes.

Your cooperation is crucial for a fantastic winter season! If you have any queries or concerns, please contact us at m tnops@smuggs.com.

Thank you, and let’s have an amazing winter on the hill!

0

If you build it, they will come

Posted March 30, 2023 at 3:33 pm

Pond Skimming is this Saturday, April 1st. Registration opens at 10 am, at the Smugglers’ Notch Tent in Parking Lot #1, to the first 100 people. Pond Skimming starts at noon in the Zone.

Spring skiing and riding yesterday followed by a powder day today! We received 4 inches of new snow overnight and 11 inches in the past 5 days. I had a blast playing in the drifts where the wind had moved the new snow on trails like Drifter. I also found some great turns in the trees where the snow was more like a fluffy blanket, like in the Alley woods and Poacher’s Woods. I was also lucky enough to get fresh tracks on Full Nelson. The calendar says spring, but I am not going to turn down another powder day before the season is over!

Tomorrow we plan to have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 4 lifts operating, including the Madonna I Lift. Madonna and Sterling are 100 percent open. We have 72 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Surface conditions are packed powder and machine groomed with average base depths of 12 to 54 inches. We plan to groom 32 trails tonight, including Upper FIS, Drifter, Snow Snake, Howie’s Wanderer, Smugglers’ Alley, and Thomke’s for a grand total of 130 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Currently, it is partly sunny and 17 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 15 to 25 mph. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for partly sunny skies early with snow in the afternoon 1 to 3 inches of accumulation possible on top, a high of 38 degrees at the base, and 30 degrees at higher elevations.

To see this week’s No Bull Video Snow Report go to https://youtu.be/3d–XLZv_RM

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

0

40 inches of new snow in the past 6 days

Posted March 19, 2023 at 3:56 pm

We are 100 percent open with all 78 trails. We have top-to-bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 6 lifts operating, including the Madonna I Lift. 37 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Goat Path, Drifter, Thomke’s, Smugglers’ Alley, Snow Snake, and Hibernator for a grand total of 143 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are machine-groomed and variable with average base depths of 16 to 54 inches. Currently, it is partly cloudy and 11 degrees at the summit of Sterling. We received 4 inches of new snow in the past 24 hours. Tomorrow’s forecast calls for mostly sunny skies with a high of 38 degrees at the base and 32 degrees at higher elevations.

0

Perfect conditions

Posted March 16, 2023 at 9:45 am

We received 6 inches of new snow in the past 24 hours and 34 inches in the past 3 days. We have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 6 lifts operating, including the Madonna I Lift. We are 100 percent open with all 78 trails. 39 trails have been groomed for today, including Goat Path, Ruthie’s, Smugglers’ Alley, Thomke’s Express, Dixie’s Knoll, and Snow Snake for a grand total of 146 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are packed powder and powder with average base depths of 20 to 50 inches.