Hugh's Views - Smugglers' Notch Vermont

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Snow storm this weekend

Posted January 18, 2019 at 7:47 am

The forecast from the National Weather Service

Today

Snow showers likely, mainly after 1 pm. Cloudy, with a high near 27. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Tonight

A 40 percent chance of snow showers, mainly before 11 pm Mostly cloudy, with a low around -2. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Saturday

Snow likely, mainly after 5 pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 12. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Saturday Night

Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Areas of blowing snow after 8 pm. Low around 0. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 5 to 9 inches possible.

Sunday

Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Areas of blowing snow after 1 pm. High near 8. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 6 to 10 inches possible.

Lifts and Trails

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 76 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. 35 trails have been groomed for today, including Ruthie’s, Hibernator, and Smugglers’ Alley for a grand total of 141 acres of freshly groomed terrain.

Weather

Currently it is snowing and 9 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 5 to 10 mph.

Snowmaking

Last night we made snow on Bootlegger, Thomke’s Express, Hangman’s Drop, Upper Pipeline, Chute, and the Zone.

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Quality Family Time

Posted January 17, 2019 at 5:33 pm

Hannah on Lower Catwalk with Sterling and Mount Mansfield in the background.

I got to take a few runs with my daughter Hannah this afternoon. She was here with her 5th grade class from Cambridge Elementary School. She has been participating in the Winter Wellness Program. They have all been having such a great time! She has really been enjoying the amazing conditions. She will be back tomorrow and she cannot wait!

Lifts and Trails

Tomorrow we plan to have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 7 lifts operating. We have 73 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. 35 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, for a grand total of 141 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are packed powder and machine groomed with average base depths of 24 to 54 inches.

Hannah finds some fresh snow in the trees

Snowmaking

Tonight we plan to make snow on Bootlegger, Thomke’s Express, Upper Pipeline, Chute, Hangman’s Drop, and the Zone.

Todd and his daughter Reese at Morse Mountain today. Reese’s birthday is in the summer, but they wanted to celebrate with a special Father and Daughter ski day. They decided to celebrate the 1/2 year and come to Smuggs today!

Weather

Currently it is sunny and 3 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 0 to 5 mph. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for snow showers 1 to 2 inches of accumulation possible with temperatures between 2o and 31 degrees.

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Great conditions

Posted April 12, 2018 at 4:18 pm

Matt finds a nice deep pocket of snow

The 2 inches of new snow last night really made a big difference, especially with the other 5 inches of snow that we received this week. The lighter snow was high on the mountain today. I ran into my good friend Matt McCawley this morning and we went looking for fresh tracks. Many of the lines that we found already had rabbit tracks. We skied in the woods skier’s right of Smugglers’ Alley and then came out on Shuttle. Shuttle was smooth with the all the new snow on top. Matt and I got up to speed and just floated in the powder. Tomorrow we plan to have the Sterling Lift operating with 25 trails open for intermediates and experts. 14 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Smugglers’ Alley, Upper Pipeline, Hangman’s Drop, Chute, and Thomke’s Express for a grand total of 41 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for partly to mostly cloudy skies with a chance of a shower late in the day with temperatures between 34 and 47 degrees. We should have some great spring conditions tomorrow!

Ski Patroller Dave Sills enjoying the fresh snow

Matt takes flight

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Bluebird Day

Posted March 19, 2018 at 3:16 pm

Sterling and Mount Mansfield seen from the Madonna Lift I

Today started out a little cool but, the sun warmed things up nicely. This morning I had a great time on a powder stash hunt. I was able to find plenty of fresh snow in the trees. This afternoon this I took a few cruiser runs to take in all the amazing views. The 360 degree views from the summit of Madonna Mountain are pretty hard to beat. You can see the White Mountains in New Hampshire off the backside of Madonna and looking in the opposite direction you have Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks of New York.

We are 100 percent open with top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 6 lifts operating. We have

Upper Chilcoot

all 78 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Robin’s Run is open from the work road down to Freefall. Freefall is open from the traverse on Upper FIS. 33 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Upper Drifter, Thomke’s Express, and Snow Snake for a grand total of 132 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Tomorrow is going to be another gorgeous day with mostly sunny skies and a high of 30 degrees.

Lower Catwalk

Do you like black diamonds?

Winter Wonderland

Shoveling the snow off the roofs in the Village

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Smuggs Family

Posted February 19, 2018 at 4:24 pm

Long Island Rick and I on the Village Lift. Photo credit Harley Johnson

I would like to you meet Long Island Rick. Rick and his family come to Smuggs every year. Rick follows Hugh’s Views a.k.a. Hugh’s Blog and photo of the day and makes wonderful comments on different posts. His comments are always positive and fun to read. I am going to share one of Rick’s posts to show you his love for winter, skiing, and all things Smuggs!

Rick said “So…I’m sitting at my daughter’s dance class and I hear a lovely lady say something about our weather on Long Island…”Well, it’s supposed to rain today and ALL of tomorrow. I’ll take rain and warm over snow and cold though.”
(DIRTY LOOK) Dramatic Pause…
Inside my head I said….”WHAT!!!! Are you kidding!” Who plays outside in winter rain? YUK! True lovers of winter love to play in the SNOW!” Right? And race on Thursday for cookies and RING COWBELLS and sometimes dress in crazy outfits like tutus on Tuesdays and visit the “Winters” in a teepee and Sing with a Friendly Pirate whenever they see him and hang out with Snow Reporter!
So…
I told her about Smuggs!

Cowbell is packed!
Cheers!”

Tomorrow we plan to have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with all 8 lifts operating. We have 74 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. 33 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Upper FIS, Thomke’s Express, and Snow Snake for a grand total of 137 acres of freshly groomed terrain. The Log Jam, Birch Run, and Zone Terrain Park are all open. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for occasional rain and drizzle with temperatures between 46 and 54 degrees. Wear something waterproof and enjoy the soft conditions!