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Community Connector

I’m sure most of you saw the news from the Stowe Reporter about potential plans to build a gondola connecting Smuggs with Stowe. This is something we’re looking into and are in the very early stages of exploring. We will be transparent with the process and will plan to share any additional information as it becomes available. For all of the updates we have at this time please visit our Community Connector page.

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Great day on the mountain

Sterling Pond with Mount Mansfield in the background
Heelside carve on Lower Morse Liftline
Thomke’s Express with clouds in the valley
Sterling summit
View from Midway

The day started with all 3 mountains covered in clouds. It did not take long before the sun burned the clouds off and we had bluebird skies. I skied over to Sterling from the top of the Village Lift this morning and the views were amazing. I spent some time on top of Sterling soaking in the beautiful sunshine and views. The clouds in the valley looked like water and the mountains were islands. Tomorrow we plan to have skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with the Madonna II Lift, Sterling Lift, Village Lift, Morse Highlands Lift, Mogul Mouse’s Magic Lift, and Sir Henry’s Glider. We now have 33 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. 18 out of the 33 open trails will be groomed for tomorrow for a grand total of 81 acres of freshly groomed terrain. We are presently making snow on Lower FIS, Lower Madonna Liftline, and Mulcahy’s Link. Tonight and tomorrow we plan to move the snowmaking operations over to Birch Run and Lower Rumrunner. Birch Run and Lower Rumrunner will be closed tomorrow due to snowmaking operations. Surface conditions are machine-groomed and variable with average base depths of 6 to 24 inches. Currently, it is cloudy and 15 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 10 to 15 mph. Tomorrow’s forecast is partly sunny skies with a slight chance of a snow shower. There will be a temperature inversion tomorrow. The high temperature for the summit of Sterling is 31 degrees and the high temperature for the base area is 23 degrees. This is one of the reasons that we will be making snow tomorrow on Birch Run and Lower Rumrunner.

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 we have more trails open. Stay tuned for updates.

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Stocking Sterling Pond

Aerial view of Sterling Pond.

Sterling Pond has been restocked! A huge thanks to our Mountain Operations Department and Vermont’s Department of Fish and Wildlife for all their hard work.

At 3,000 feet high, Sterling Pond is Vermont’s highest elevation trout pond. Each year, our Operations teams work with Vermont’s Department of Fish and Wildlife to stock the pond with hundreds of Brook Trout. It’s quite the adventure for these little fishies!

The truck arrives with our special guests in tow. From there, bag-lined cans are filled with water. Fish are added to their new (temporary) vessel of transport, and a special shot of oxygen is introduced to calm their nerves. Brook trout are notorious for having a fear of heights, so the more we can do to keep them happy, the better chance they’ll have of loving their new home at the top of Sterling Mountain.

200 Brook Trout are gently put in barrels with fresh water to help them enjoy the lift ride up to their new home.


So, why the chairlift? Well, it’s the smoothest way to bring these little guys to the top without shaking them up too much. 9 minutes in the air and they’ve arrived at their unload station. From here, it’s a short ride on the back of a four-wheeler to the pond, where they are introduced to their new accommodations at the highest trout pond in the state of Vermont.

All aboard!! Fishies enjoying a ride on Sterling Lift to Sterling Pond.


If you haven’t been up to Sterling Pond in the warmer months, it’s a must. Access comes from either the Smugglers’ Notch parking area at the top of Route 108, or by hiking up the ski trails on Sterling. This large body of water sits comfortably above 3000 feet in elevation and has a fun trail running around it called the Elephant’s Head Trail. The scenery is gorgeous and it makes a great place for a picnic or family outing, whether you enjoy fishing or not!

Fishies settling into their new summer home.
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Closing date is Sunday, April 11th weather dependent

The Sterling Lift will be open Tuesday through Friday. The Madonna I Lift and Sterling Lift may be open this closing weekend. We have 13 trails open for Tuesday with terrain for intermediates and experts only. We have no lift-serviced beginner terrain open. Surface conditions are machine groomed and spring conditions with average base depths of 0 to 44 inches. 10 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Smugglers’ Alley, Black Snake, Birch Run, and Treasure Run for a grand total of 39 acres of freshly groomed terrain. It is currently sunny and 38 degrees at the summit of Sterling. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for mostly sunny skies with a high of 53 degrees at the base and 44 degrees in the upper elevations.

Uphill traffic:

Morse Mountain now open daily.

Madonna Mountain open Monday through Thursday.

Sterling Mountain open daily 5:30 am to 7:30 am and 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Sterling Pond with Mount Mansfield in the background
This outfit screams spring!
Harvesting the corn on Black Snake
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Time to reflect

Sterling Pond with Mount Mansfield in the background
Nemo having fun on Smugglers’ Alley
Matching heel side turns

Today’s weather was cloudy skies with flurries early in the day. Then partly sunny skies with warmer temperatures. Most of Morse Mountain was spring conditions. The upper mountains softened on the bottom half. The groomed terrain softened up nicely. I snowboarded this morning on Morse and skied in the afternoon on the upper mountains. Smugglers’ Alley was a bunch of fun today. Black Snake was in the sun this afternoon and it softened up for some nice turns.

Weather permitting 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 plan to have 40 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Surface conditions are machine groomed and variable with average base depths of 14 to 52 inches. We should see spring conditions tomorrow, especially at lower elevations. 34 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Snow Snake, Playground, and Smugglers’ Alley for a grand total of 132 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Currently, it is partly cloudy and 28 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 5 to 10 mph. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for cloudy skies, rain, and breezy with a high of 44 degrees. Some lifts may be on wind hold tomorrow. Please check the report in the morning for the latest information.

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Great day on the slopes

Top of the Notch building at the summit of Sterling
Fast and Flannel
Sterling Pond with Mount Mansfield in the background
Snow Sport University Snowboard lesson on Sam’s Run
Smugglers’ Alley

Tomorrow we plan to have skiing and riding on all three mountains with 6 lifts operating, Sterling, Madonna II, Village, Morse Highlands, Sir Henry’s Wonder Carpet, and Mogul Mouse’s Magic Lift. We have 23 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Surface conditions are machine groomed and variable with average base depths of 12 to 48 inches. Tonight we plan to groom 20 out of the 23 trails, including Smugglers’ Alley for a grand total of 86 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Tonight we plan to resume snowmaking on Upper Chilcoot. Currently, it is sunny and 37 degrees at the summit of Sterling. Tonight’s forecast is calling for a chance of sleet and flurries less than an inch of accumulation possible with temperatures falling throughout the night. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for partly sunny skies with a high of 26 degrees.

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Top of the Notch Snowshoe Adventure Dinner

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Adventure seekers crossing Sterling Pond

This is easily one of my favorite activities here at Smuggs! The combination of a mountain top adventure, spectacular views, and an amazing meal is hard to beat. The weather last night was absolutely perfect with clear skies, light winds, and comfortable temperatures.  We trekked out on the Long Trail to the lean-to that over looks Sterling Pond with Mount Mansfield in the background. This is one of my favorite spots here at Smuggs. I stayed at the lean-to lookout while the rest of the group headed for Sterling Pond, so that I could get a photo of them on the pond.  I then headed back to the Top of the Notch building to enjoy my delicious meal from the Hearth & Candle, special thanks to our chefs Dave and Nate. I also want to thank our guides P.K., Lisa, Derek, and Ski Patroller Duncan for a wonderful experience!

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Snowshoes lined up by the Sterling Lift

 

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Everyone enjoying their wonderful meal prepared by the Hearth & Candle restaurant in the Top of Notch building

sunset

Sun setting over the Top of the Notch building

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Picture yourself here

 

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Upper Drifter with Sterling Pond and Mount Mansfield in the background

Beautiful sunny skies and 20 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 0 to 5 mph. 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. Great conditions!