Snow Sport University
Upper Chilcoot
Great conditions
The 5 inches of new snow that we received today was nice and dense. It allowed us to open Freefall from the top and the Headwall of Madonna Liftline. My first run of the day was on Smugglers’ Alley. It was groomed early last night, which allowed the snowfall to build up on top of the groomed snow overnight. It was a nice and flat with 4 inches of fresh on top this morning. It was so much fun to float on top of the heavier snow. I had the pleasure of riding the Sterling Lift with a long time Smuggs family member “George of the Jungle.” Thanks George for the great conversation and laughs. This afternoon I ran into my good friend Pat. We had a great time on Thomke’s, Black Snake, Practice Slope, and Snake Bite. We were able to find some great loose powder on the side of the trail to play in. Pat decided to catch some pretty big air on the “neck” of the Practice Slope. His photo is seen above.
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 have 77 out of 78 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Surface conditions are packed powder and powder with average base depths of 16 to 54 inches. We plan to groom 30 trails tonight, including Ruthie’s, Wanderer, and Thomke’s for a grand total of 125 acres of freshly groomed terrain. We received 5 inches of new snow in the past 24 hours and 36 inches in the past 5 days. Currently, it is snowing and 28 degrees at the summit of Sterling. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for cloudy skies, flurries and a snow shower with a high of 35 degrees.
Another beautiful day on the slopes
Today started off a little cool, but by this afternoon it was perfect! I had a great time searching for powder stashes and enjoying the wonderful views. The conditions are fantastic! We are 100 percent open. 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 all 78 trails open tomorrow with terrain for all ability levels. Surface conditions are packed powder and powder with average base depths of 16 to 54 inches. 34 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Hibernator, Drifter, and Snake Bite for a grand total of 134 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Last night we made snow in the Zone Terrain Park. Currently, it is partly cloudy and 17 degrees at the summit of Sterling. Tonight’s forecast is calling for periods of snow – 2 to 4 inches. Tomorrow’ s forecast is calling for periods of snow with another 2 to 4 inches of accumulation possible and a high of 31 degrees.
Picture perfect
It is going to be another beautiful day! Currently, it is sunny and 23 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 0 to 5 mph. Today we have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 6 lifts operating, including the Madonna I lift. We have 45 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Surface conditions are packed powder and machine groomed with average base depths of 14 to 50 inches. 24 trails have been groomed for today for a grand total of 115 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Last night we made snow on Curley’s Cutback and Birch Run.
Sunny skies
It is another gorgeous day here at Smuggs! Currently, it is sunny and 23 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 5 to 10 mph. Today’s forecast is mostly sunny skies with a high of 27 degrees. We have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 6 lifts operating, including the Madonna I Lift. We have 48 trails open today with terrain for all ability levels. Surface conditions are packed powder and machine groomed with average base depths of 14 to 50 inches. Playground, Lower Chilcoot, and McPherson’s are closed due to snowmaking. Snake Bite is closed today for a ski race. 26 trails have been groomed for today for a grand total of 108 acres of freshly groomed terrain.
We now have 68 trails open
We have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 6 lifts operating, including the Madonna I lift. 1 to 2 inches of new snow overnight and 23 inches in the past 6 days. Great conditions!
Another beautiful day
I want to thank our snowmakers for doing a great job on Upper FIS! I skied it this morning and it was fantastic. There are nice big smooth snowmaking whales from Catwalk all the way down to Mulcahy’s Link. I had a great time playing on the piles of snow. The snow is chalky and very edgeable. I also skied Smugglers’ Alley this morning. Our groomers did a wonderful job on it last night. It was so much fun to carve big turns down the smooth steep pitch. Today’s forecast is calling for partly sunny skies with a high of 33 degrees. Currently it is partly sunny and 25 degrees at the summit of Madonna with no wind! Enjoy this gorgeous day!
Calm before the storm
We have snow, sleet, and some freezing rain in the forecast starting tonight through Wednesday with a storm total of up to 13 inches of accumulation possible. We could see an inch of new snow tonight. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for snow, sleet, and mix with 2 inches of accumulation possible and a high of 26 degrees. It could be a little windy tomorrow also. Tonight we plan to resume snowmaking on Upper FIS. The new snow might allow us to open some more terrain tomorrow. Tomorrow we plan to have to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 7 lifts operating, including the Madonna I Lift. We have 22 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. All 22 trails will be groomed for tomorrow for a grand total of 92 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are machine groomed and loose granular with average base depths of 12 to 48 inches. Happy Holidays!
Beautiful sunny afternoon
Today started off with cloudy skies and ended up with bluebird skies! The Madonna I Lift opened for the season today. I rode Madonna I this morning and the summit was in cloud cover. It was great to be skiing from the top of Madonna, but I was missing the great views. The clouds cleared out by lunchtime and I headed back up the Madonna I Lift. Once I got to the summit I did not want to ski down. I just wanted to soak up the sunshine and 360-degree views.
Tomorrow we plan to have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 7 lifts operating, including Madonna I. We have 22 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. All 22 trails will be groomed for tomorrow for a grand total of 92 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are machine groomed and variable with average base depths of 12 to 48 inches. We are presently making snow on Upper FIS. Currently, it is sunny and 25 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 0 to 5 mph. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for partly sunny skies early with increasing clouds and a high of 32 degrees. Happy Holidays!
Top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains
