Hugh's Views - Smugglers' Notch Vermont

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Winter wonderland

Posted January 6, 2021 at 5:07 pm

We received a dusting to an inch of new snow last night and 11 inches in the past 5 days. Currently, it is cloudy and 14 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 0 to 5 mph. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for cloudy skies with a high of 23 degrees. Tomorrow we plan to have Mogul Mouse’s Magic Lift, Village Lift, Sir Henry’s Glider, Madonna II Lift, and Sterling Lift all operating. We have 15 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Surface conditions are machine groomed and packed powder with base depths of 12 to 40 inches. 13 trails will be groomed for tomorrow, including Smugglers’ Alley for a grand total of 58 acres of freshly groomed terrain. We are presently making snow on Upper Chilcoot, Waterfall, and the Practice Slope.

Ski Patroller Chase enjoying the nice conditions

Snowman at the Village Lift reminding everyone to wear their mask!

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Riding and skiing on all 3 mountains

Posted January 3, 2021 at 4:27 pm

We now have 5 lifts operating and 21 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Tomorrow we plan to have Sterling Lift, Madonna II Lift, Village Lift, Sir Henry’s Glider, and Mogul Mouse’s Magic Lift. 13 out of the 21 open trails will be groomed for tomorrow for a grand total of 55 acres of freshly groomed terrain. We plan to groom Smugglers’ Alley tonight. Surface conditions are machine groomed and packed powder with average base depths of 8 to 40 inches. Currently, it is cloudy and 19 degrees at the summit of Sterling Mountain. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for cloudy skies with a chance of a snow shower early and a high of 31 degrees. Employees are not red flagged mid week. The Nordic Center is now open with 10 km of trails.

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Moonlight in Vermont

Posted December 30, 2020 at 7:26 am

Today we plan to have Sterling Lift, Sir Henry’s Glider, Village Lift to the top, and Mogul Mouse’s Magic Lift open to mid-station. We have 5 intermediate trails, 5 beginner trails, and 1 expert trail open today. Currently, it is 12 degrees at the summit of Sterling with clear skies and winds of 0 to 5 mph. Today’s forecast is calling for sunny skies with increasing clouds, a chance of snow showers later in the day, and a high of 32 degrees. Last night we made snow on Lower Rumrunner. We are presently making snow on Lower Madonna Liftline and Mulcahy’s Link. All 11 trails have been groomed for a grand total of 46 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are machine groomed and variable with average base depths of 12 to 36 inches.

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Happy holidays

Posted December 28, 2020 at 3:53 pm

Currently, it is cloudy and 28 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 15 to 25 mph. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for mostly sunny skies with a high of 18 degrees. Tomorrow we plan to have 4 lifts operating and 11 trails open. We plan to have Sterling Lift, Sir Henry’s Glider, Village Lift to the top, and Mogul Mouse’s Magic Lift open to mid-station. We plan to have 5 intermediate trails, 5 beginner trails, and 1 expert trail open tomorrow. All 11 trails will be groomed for tomorrow for a grand total of 46 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are machine groomed and variable with average base depths of 12 to 36 inches. Tonight we plan to make snow on Lower Madonna Liftline and Mulcahy’s Link.

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Cloudy skies with some flurries to start the day

Posted March 12, 2020 at 9:24 am

**Sterling and Mount Mansfield seen from the Village Lift**

**Garden Path with Madonna Mountain in the background**

Today we have skiing and riding on all 3 mountains. We are starting the day on the upper mountains with the Madonna II Lift and Sterling Lift operating. Conditions permitting we plan to have the Madonna I Lift operating this afternoon. 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. 38 trails have been groomed for today, including Upper FIS, Smugglers’ Alley, and Snow Snake for a grand total of 149 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Currently it is cloudy and 24 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 5 to 10 mph. Today’s forecast is calling for a chance of flurries early then partly sunny skies with a high of 41 degrees.

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Partly sunny skies and a high of 45 degrees for Thursday

Posted March 11, 2020 at 4:01 pm

**55+ Club Member George McIntosh on Garden Path**

**Josie loading chairs with a smile at the Village Lift**

Our groomers did a great job today getting terrain open on all 3 mountains. They will be busy tonight with 39 trails to be groomed, including Upper FIS, Smugglers’ Alley, Snake Bite, Drifter, Playground, Snow Snake, Dixie’s Knoll, Bootlegger, and Ruthie’s for a grand total of 149 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Tomorrow we plan to have skiing and riding on all 3 mountains. We will start with the Sterling Lift and the Madonna II Lift tomorrow morning on the upper mountains. Conditions permitting we plan to have the Madonna I Lift operating tomorrow afternoon. 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. Currently, it is partly cloudy and 22 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 5 to 10 mph. We have many events this weekend. For all the information just go to https://www.smuggs.com/pages/universal/events/index.php

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Bluebird skies

Posted March 7, 2020 at 3:25 pm

It was another gorgeous day on the slopes! We received an inch of new snow last night and 224 inches this season so far. Our groomers were very busy last night smoothing out 146 acres. I skied Upper FIS first thing this morning and it was wonderful. It was groomed early last night, so the new snow was on top of the groomed snow. The wind had moved the snow around just a bit. It was nice to play in the small drifts. Our groomers are going to be even busier tonight with 41 trails on the list, including Upper FIS, Bootlegger, Snake Bite, Timberrrr, Ruthie’s, and Smugglers’ Alley. Tomorrow we plan to have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with all 8 lifts operating. We have 68 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Surface conditions are machine groomed and variable with average base depths of 16 to 56 inches. Log Jam Terrain Park, Birch Run Terrain Park, and Riglet Park are all open. The Upper Zone is open and also Lower Knight’s Revenge. Currently, it is sunny and 17 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 5 to 15 mph. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for partly sunny skies with a high of 42 degrees.

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Flurries in the morning and sunshine in the afternoon

Posted February 20, 2020 at 4:45 pm

The Cookie Race is a classic here at Smuggs! It is a great way for the kids to show their families how much they have learned in their ski and snowboard lessons through the week. There are multiple courses for the different skill levels. Rockin’ Ron the Friendly Pirate is there to introduce the racers to the crowd. King Billy Bob Bear and Mogul Mouse are also there to cheer on the skiers and riders. The best part is that everyone gets a cookie! The Cookie Race is only one of today’s events, because we also have the torchlight parade, winter carnival, and fireworks.

Tomorrow we plan to have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with all 8 lifts operating. We have 76 out of 78 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Surface conditions are machine groomed and packed powder with average base depths of 16 to 54 inches. 30 trails will be groomed tonight, including Upper FIS, Snow Snake, and Thomke’s for a grand total of 120 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Tonight we plan to make snow on Smugglers’ Alley, Bootlegger, Thomke’s Express, and the Zone Terrain Park. Currently it is partly sunny and 2 degrees at the summit of Sterling. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for mostly sunny skies with a high of 24 degrees.

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Another great day on the slopes

Posted February 19, 2020 at 5:37 pm

**Anna loading chairs with style at the Village Lift**

**The snowman at the base of the Village Lift**

Yesterday was my day off and I came up to the mountain to take a few runs. It was really windy and we had a few lifts on hold. The Morse Highlands Lift was running, so I decided to ski over there. I got to the top of the Morse Highlands Lift and I saw my buddy Dave Gagnon a snowmaker here at Smuggs. Dave was working the top shack for the day. As the wind was blowing the snow off of his top ramp it would get an icy patch. Dave would put more snow on the ramp, but the wind would just take it away again. To make things better for the guests Dave put on his goggles and was out helping people as they were getting off the lift. He was also letting people know to go straight on the icy patch and turn when you got back on the snow. This allowed the lift to continue to operate smoothly. Thank you Dave for your extra effort!

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 77 out of 78 trails open tomorrow with terrain for all ability levels. 38 trails will be groomed tonight including, Upper FIS, Shuttle, Snake Bite, and Hibernator for a grand total of 150 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Surface conditions are machine groomed and packed powder with average base depths of 16 to 54 inches. Currently it is sunny and 10 degrees at the summit of Sterling. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for partly sunny skies with a high of 10 degrees. Dress warm and enjoy the great conditions.

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It’s snowing again

Posted February 19, 2020 at 8:30 am

**135 acres of freshly groomed terrain**

We have 77 skiable trails and 64 lift accessible trails open today. The Madonna I lift is presently on wind hold. We have 6 lifts operating today, Village, Sterling, Madonna II, Morse Highlands, Mogul Mouse’s Magic, and Sir Henry’s Wonder Carpet. Surface conditions are packed powder and powder with average base depths of 16 to 54 inches. We received 2 to 4 inches of new snow in the past 36 hours and 185 inches of snow this season so far. 34 trails have been groomed for today, including Ruthie’s, Snow Snake, and Smugglers’ Alley. Currently it is partly cloudy and 16 degrees at the summit of Sterling with winds of 15 to 25 mph. Today’s forecast is calling for cloudy skies with snow showers early an inch of accumulation possible and a high of 23 degrees. Temperatures will be falling through out the day.