Hugh's Views - Smugglers' Notch Vermont

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A sunny powder day

Posted January 28, 2019 at 8:39 am

Morning light over the Village

New Snow

We received 8 to 10 inches of new snow in the past 24 hours and 21 inches in the 4 days.

Lifts and Trails

We are 100 percent open with top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 6 lifts operating, including the Madonna I lift. We have all 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. 38 trails have been groomed for today, including Upper Drifter, Snow Snake, and Thomke’s for a grand total of 145 acres of freshly groomed terrain.

Upper Morse Liftline

Weather

Current it is sunny and -7 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 5 to 10 mph. Today’s forecast is sunny skies with temperatures between 4 and 11 degrees.

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Sir Henry’s Learning Hill

Posted January 27, 2019 at 9:26 am

Lifts and Trails

The Village Lift is presently on wind hold. We have 7 lifts operating, including the Madonna I Lift. We have 77 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Surface conditions are packed powder and powder with average base depths of 24 to 54 inches. 34 trails have been groomed for today, including Upper Drifter, Thomke’s, and Upper FIS from the Doc’s cutoff down for a grand total of 143 acres of freshly groomed terrain. We will continue to check the winds and the lower mountain lifts may open later today. Snake Bite is closed today for the Eastern Cup Giant Slalom Race today. Black Snake is open down to Harvey’s Hideaway.

Weather

Currently it is cloudy and 9 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 15 to 30 mph. Today’s forecast is calling for snow to develop with 2 to 4 inches of accumulation possible and temperatures between 11 and 29 degrees.

Events

Free Family Fun Race today on Lower Madonna Liftline today from 11:00 am till 2:00 pm.

Parlor Skis Demo today in Parking Lot #1.

Black Bear Apres Sport Party from 2:00 pm till 4:30 pm in the Black Bear Tavern located in the Base Lodge. The location for Upper Mountain off-slope fun! Choose from 20 different beers on tap, plus a wide selection of bottled beer. Join us at 2:00 pm for après sport entertainment – Jammin’ Sam plays guitar and sings. Weekend draft beer specials from Harpoon

Eastern Cup Giant Slalom Race today on Black Snake, Snake Bite, and the Practice Slope.

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We just opened over 25 trails

Posted January 25, 2019 at 7:58 am

Groomers leaving Morse Mountain after laying down many acres of corduroy

New Snow

We received 3 to 5 inches of new snow overnight and 33 inches in the past week.

Lifts and Trails

Today 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 now 72 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. 31 trails have been groomed for today, including Upper Drifter and Snow Snake for a grand total of 133 acres of freshly groomed terrain.

It is snowing hard

Weather

Currently it is snowing and 18 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 0 to 5 mph. Today’s forecast is calling for cloudy skies, a chance of snow showers an inch of accumulation possible with temperatures between 10 and 22 degrees.

Early morning groom on Lower Morse Liftline

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It’s snowing!

Posted January 24, 2019 at 5:16 pm

Snow flying

It was pretty warm today and some of the natural snow covered trails had to be closed. The snow was just too soft. The temperature fell throughout the day and it started snowing this afternoon. The new snow will help insulate the existing snow as the temperatures get colder tonight. This will help the moisture drain from the snow. This will also allow the existing snow to bond with the new snow. On my last run of the day up Sterling it started snowing at tower 11. It was snowing pretty hard at the top and it was accumulating. We may open more trails throughout the day tomorrow.

It is adding up

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 have 47 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Surface conditions are variable and machine groomed with average base depths of 24 to 54 inches. 31 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Upper Drifter, Snow Snake, and Practice Slope for a grand total of 133 acres of freshly groomed terrain.

Lenny having fun on Black Snake

Weather

Currently it is snowing and 30 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 5 to 10 mph. Tomorrow’s forecast is snow showers 1 to 2 inches of accumulation possible with temperatures between 14 and 25 degrees.

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Racing into the weekend

Posted January 11, 2019 at 5:18 pm

Snow Sport University Ski Instructor Dara competing in the Harvey Wesson Race Series

New Snow

We received 9 inches of new snow in the past 24 hours, 39 inches in the past 4 days, and 198 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 72 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Surface conditions are powder and packed powder with average base depths of 20 to 50 inches. 36 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Upper Drifter, Smugglers’ Alley, and Snow Snake for a grand total of 135 acres of freshly groomed terrain.

Snowmaking

We are presently making snow on Lower Rumrunner. Tonight and tomorrow we plan to make snow Playground and McPherson’s. They will be closed tomorrow along with Moonshiner’s Glades due to the snowmaking.

Weather

Currently it is -5 degrees at the summit of Sterling with light snow and winds of 10 to 20 mph. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for partly cloudy skies with temperatures between -3 and +11 degrees.

Local Programs

Mini Mites and Mitey Mites begin this weekend.

Events

FREE Family Fun Race on Saturdays and Sundays

Lower Madonna Liftline 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

Who’s the fastest in your family? Find out on our timed race course sponsored by HearthStone Stoves!

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Gorgeous day

Posted January 7, 2019 at 12:15 pm

Sterling Pond with Mount Mansfield in the background

We now have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 69 trails open. Bermuda, Lower Knight’s Revenge, McPherson’s, and Moonshiner’s Glades are all open. Great conditions!

goods in the woods

Upper Drifter

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Beautiful sunny skies with snowmaking clouds

Posted January 7, 2019 at 8:18 am

Morning glow over the Village

Snowmaking

Last night we made snow on Dixie’s Knoll, Sam’s Run, Log Jam, Hibernator, Snow Snake, Sir Henry’s, and the base area of Morse. Snowmaking continues today on Hibernator, Snow Snake, and Log Jam. Snow Snake and Log Jam is closed today due to snowmaking.

Lifts and Trails

Today 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 68 trails open today with terrain for all ability levels. 28 trails have been groomed for today, including Upper Drifter, Wanderer, and Thomke’s for a grand total of 120 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are packed powder and powder with average base depths of 14 to 44 inches. Birch Run Terrain Park and Lower Knight’ Revenge Terrain Park are open.

Natural Snowfall

We received 4 inches of new snow in the past 36 hours, 16 inches in the past week, and 159 inches this season so far. We have snow in the forecast starting tonight into Thursday with up to a foot of accumulation possible. We could see 2 to 4 inches of accumulation tonight and another inch during the day tomorrow. Tuesday night could bring 1 to 3 inches of snow with another 3 to 5 inches of accumulation during the day on Wednesday.

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Winching Upper FIS

Posted January 5, 2019 at 7:34 am

Corduroy even looks good at night

Grooming

Last night our groomers attacked Upper FIS from the Doc’s cutoff down. They used the winch cat to knock down and smooth out the big snowmaking whales. There are still snowmaking whales from Catwalk down to the Doc’s cutoff. 31 trails have been groomed for today, including Upper Drifter, Smugglers’ Alley, and Dixie’s Knoll for a grand total of 134 acres of freshly groomed terrain.

Lifts and Trails

We have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with all 8 lifts operating. We now have 58 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Surface conditions are packed powder and powder with average base depths of 14 to 44 inches.

Winch Cat working it’s magic on Upper FIS last night

Weather

Currently it is 27 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 0 to 5 mph. Today’s forecast is calling for partly sunny skies with temperatures between 26 and 37 degrees. There is snow in the forecast for Sunday with up to 4 inches of accumulation possible. There is also a chance of significant snowfall Tuesday into Wednesday. Keep your fingers crossed and do your snow dance!

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Sunshine and fresh snow

Posted January 4, 2019 at 3:03 pm

Sometimes you just have to stop and take it all in.

Lifts and Trails

Tomorrow we plan to have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with all 8 lifts operating. We now have 58 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. 31 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Upper Drifter, Snow Snake, and Smugglers’ Alley. Surface conditions are packed powder and powder with average base depths of 14 to 44 inches.

Lindsey finds a nice powder stash

Weather

Currently it is partly cloudy and 29 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 5 to 10 mph. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for mostly cloudy skies with temperatures between 29 and 37 degrees. There is snow in the forecast for Sunday with up to 3 inches of accumulation possible. There is also a chance of a snow storm Tuesday into Wednesday.

Fresh turns under the Sterling Rock

Lenny having fun on Pirate’s Plank

#smuggslove

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Top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains

Posted December 20, 2018 at 5:09 pm

Cruising down Upper Rumrunner

Lifts and Trails

We now have 53 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Tomorrow we plan to have 5 lifts operating; Madonna I lift, Sterling lift, Village lift, Mogul Mouse’s Magic lift, and Sir Henry’s Glider. 28 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Smugglers’ Alley, Thomke’s, Upper Drifter, and Sam’s Run for a grand total of 128 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are packed powder and machine groomed with average base depths of 18 to 48 inches.

Upper Drifter

Events

Winter Solstice Celebration is Friday, December 21st starting at 4:00 pm

Kick off the festivities at 4:00 pm with Jeh Kulu Dance and Drum Theater. Then join Goodtime Charlie, as he hosts a dance party. There will be hot cocoa and glow sticks available for the kids. Located in the Meeting House.

Snow covered tree at the summit of Madonna Mountain

Red Fox Glades

Pepper pictured on the right taking a run in the sunshine