Hugh's Views - Smugglers' Notch Vermont

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Extreme Challenge

Posted March 2, 2019 at 6:45 pm

Competitors picking their line before the event begins

The competition was amazing with beautiful weather, great conditions, 120 athletes, and Madonna Liftline! For the first time snowboarders and skiers competed in the Extreme Challenge. This event showcases what Smuggs has to offer when it comes to gnarly terrain, but what it really showcased was some of the best skiers and riders around. I could not believe how big these skiers and rider were going! This event brought in athletes from all over New England and even Canada. I would like thank all the volunteers plus the Smugglers’ Notch Ski and Snowboard Club for all their hard work to make the event possible!

Judges hard at work

Lifts and Trails

We are 99 percent open. Tomorrow we plan to have top to bottom and 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. Surface conditions are packed powder and machine groomed with average base depths of 24 to 54 inches. We plan to groom 38 trails tonight, including Ruthie’s, Snow Snake, and Smugglers’ Alley for a grand total of 148 acres of freshly groomed terrain.

The finish line and spectators

Weather

Currently it is partly cloudy and 22 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 0 to 5 mph. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for partly sunny skies, with increasing clouds later in the day and temperatures between 20 and 34 degrees.

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156 acres of freshly groomed terrain

Posted March 2, 2019 at 7:56 am

Groomers headed back up Meadowlark after finishing Lower Morse Liftine

Lifts and Trails

We are 99 percent open. 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. Surface conditions are packed powder and machine groomed with average base depths of 24 to 54 inches. 46 trails have been groomed for today, including Upper FIS, Ruthie’s, Snow Snake, Hibernator, Bootlegger, Chute, Hangman’s Drop, and Smugglers’ Alley.

Weather

Currently it is 20 degrees at the summit of Sterling with partly cloudy skies and winds of 0 to 5 mph. Today’s forecast is calling for partly cloudy skies with a chance of light snow later in the day and temperatures between 22 and 30 degrees.

Events

Smugglers’ Notch Extreme Challenge is today on Madonna Liftline just below mid-station. This year for the first time snowboarders will be competing. There is 120 competitors signed up for the event! Spectators are welcome. You can watch from the edge of 3 Mountain Glades, just above the intersection of Madonna Liftine and Link, or the best seat in the house will be the Madonna I Lift as you ride right over all the action.

Free Family Fun Race Saturdays and Sundays on Lower Madonna Liftline from 11 am till 2 pm.

Black Bear Apres Sport Party this weekend draft specials featuring the Shed.

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Fresh snow and sunshine

Posted February 28, 2019 at 9:24 am

Sterling and Mount Mansfield seen from Upper Drifter

New Snow

We received an inch of new snow last night, 7 inches in the past 5 days, and 313 inches this season so far!

Lifts and Trails

We are 99 percent open! 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. Surface conditions are packed powder and machine groomed with average base depths of 24 to 54 inches. 42 trails have been groomed for today, including Shuttle, Ruthie’s, Smugglers’ Alley, and Evaporator for a grand total of 156 acres of freshly groomed terrain.

Shadow dancing on Shuttle

Weather

Currently it is sunny and 2 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 0 to 5 mph. Today’s forecast is sunny skies with temperatures between 5 and 17 degrees.

Snowmaking

Last night we made snow on Upper Zone. We plan to make snow on the Upper Zone tonight also.

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Winter Wonderland

Posted February 27, 2019 at 4:53 pm

Upper Drifter

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 plan to have 74 out of 78 trails open tomorrow with terrain for all ability levels. Surface conditions are machine groomed and packed powder with average base depths of 24 to 54 inches. We plan to groom 42 trails tonight, including Ruthie’s, Sam’s Run, and Harvey’s Hideaway for a grand total of 156 acres of freshly groomed terrain.

Sterling and Mount Mansfield seen from the Madonna I lift near the summit

New Snow

We received 6 inches of snow in the past 4 days, 12 inches in the past week, and 312 inches this season so far.

Weather

Currently it is 4 degrees at the summit of Sterling with cloudy skies and winds of 5 to 10 mph. Tonight’s forecast is snow 1 to 2 inches of accumulation possible. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for cloudy skies early with gradual clearing and temperatures between 5 and 18 degrees.

Upper Chilcoot

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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 gorgeous day

Posted February 23, 2019 at 4:14 pm

Just picture perfect

Today started off partly sunny and by this afternoon it was bluebird. The temperatures rose from the low teens into the upper twenties. It was great to soak up the sun and recharge the batteries. I had a blast this morning with my son Hugh B on Sterling. We went on tour looking for powder stashes in the trees and also played around in the Zone Terrain Park. This afternoon I ran into good friends of mine Carrie, Steph, and Phil. We all enjoyed some nice turns on Harvey’s Hideaway to Full Nelson.

Phil having fun on Harvey’s Hideaway

Lifts and Trails

Weather permitting tomorrow we plan to have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with all 8 lifts operating. We plan to have all 78 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Surface conditions are packed powder and powder with average base depths of 24 to 54 inches. We plan to groom 33 trails tonight, including Ruthie’s, Snow Snake, and Upper Pipeline for a grand total of 135 acres of freshly groomed terrain.

Weather

Currently it is sunny and 24 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 0 to 5 mph. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for snow and sleet early 1 to 2 inches of accumulation possible then a chance of rain later with temperatures between 30 and 39 degrees.

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Smuggs Family Member

Posted February 22, 2019 at 5:06 pm

Brian at the top of the Village Lift

I would like you meet Brian. Brian is here at Smuggs with a couple of his best friends and their families. I rode the Village Lift with Brian today and we had a great conversation on the ride up. He told me that Smuggs is like no other and is the most unpretentious resort that he has ever been to. He went on to say that he really enjoyed Black Snake and all the fun trails that cut off from it. I hope you and your group have a wonderful time here at Smuggs!

Lifts and Trails

We are 100 percent open! Tomorrow we plan to have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with all 8 lifts operating. We plan to have all 78 trails open. Freefall, the Black Hole, 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. We plan to groom 41 trails tonight, including Ruthie’s, Wanderer, and Smugglers’ Alley for a grand total of 157 acres of freshly groomed terrain.

Weather

Currently it is partly sunny and 18 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 5 to 15 mph. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for mostly sunny skies with temperatures between 19 and 29 degrees.

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World Famous Cookie Race

Posted February 21, 2019 at 2:33 pm

One of the great things about the Cookie Race is that it lets the kids show what they have learned while studying at Snow Sport University. They can show off their turning skills to the cheering crowd as they race down the course. These brave racers are rewarded with a cookie at the finish line!

Lifts and Trails

We are 100 percent open. Tomorrow we plan to have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with all 8 lifts operating. We have all 78 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Surface conditions are packed powder and powder with average base depths of 24 to 54 inches. We plan to groom 44 trails tonight, including Ruthie’s, Dixie’s Knoll, and Snake Bite for a grand total of 158 acres of freshly groomed terrain. We also plan to groom Jolly Rodger and Lower Black Bear tonight.

The Friendly Pirate

New Snow

We received 3 inches of new snow in the past 24 hours, 15 inches in the past week, and 303 inches this season so far!

Weather

Currently it is 25 degrees at the summit of Sterling with flurries and winds of 15 to 25 mph. Tonight’s forecast is calling for snow showers with an inch of accumulation possible. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for partly cloudy skies with temperatures between 14 and 30 degrees.

Long Island Rick helping out with the announcing.

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We just hit 300 inches for the season!

Posted February 18, 2019 at 5:26 pm

Snow measured on Sterling Mountain. Photo credit Mike Chait Public Relations Director

New Snow

We received 6 inches of new snow today, 27 inches in the past 6 days, and 300 inches this season so far!

Lifts and Trails

Tomorrow we plan to 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. Surface conditions are powder and packed powder with average base depths of 24 to 54 inches. We plan to groom 37 trails for tomorrow, including Ruthie’s, Snow Snake, and Smugglers’ Alley for a grand total of 151 acres of freshly groomed terrain. We also plan to groom Upper FIS tonight, skier’s right from Catwalk down to the Doc cutoff and full width from Doc cutoff down.

Weather

Currently it is partly cloudy and 2 degrees at the summit of Sterling with wind of 0 to 5 mph. Tomorrow’s forecast is partly sunny skies with temperatures between 0 and 15 degrees. Bundle up and enjoy the fantastic conditions!

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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.