I took the feature photo a couple of days ago near the top of Madonna Mountain. I had taken my skis off and was walking through the snow off trail. I dropped into the deep snow and had to crawl out. I wanted to see just how deep the snow was so, I used my ski pole to measure. My ski pole just disappeared into the deep snow. In the past 52 days we have received 180 inches of snow. During this time it has been consistently cold keeping the all the snow light and fluffy. Here is a good reminder from our friends at Ski Vermont.
Ski Vermont Encourages Skiers to Learn About Deep Snow Safety Amidst High Seasonal Snowfall
(Montpelier, February 21, 2025) – Skiers and snowboarders are reveling in this season’s abundant snowfall resulting in prime skiing and riding conditions across the state. Ski Vermont wants to remind snow sports enthusiasts to learn about and prioritize safety in deep snow. To help educate skiers and snowboarders, Ski Vermont has added deep snow safety information to its Mountain Safety page.
“Skiers and riders have been enjoying this season’s exceptional snowfall, and our goal is to raise awareness about deep snow safety and provide educational resources,” says Ski Vermont President Molly Mahar “Vermont skiers may not be as familiar with potential deep snow hazards they could encounter if they decide to leave groomed trails.”
Many snow sports enthusiasts have been taking advantage of consistent powder drops, but those accumulated snow depths and loose snow can create potential hazards like tree wells, which can increase immersion and suffocation risks.
“Traveling in the side country or in gladed terrain should always be done with at least one partner and never alone, which is especially important to remember right now,” adds Mahar “Anyone not experienced skiing or riding in these conditions should stick to the trails or take a lesson.
Ski Vermont also cautions anyone considering entering the backcountry to make sure they have appropriate equipment and training or consider hiring a guide service before leaving ski area boundaries.
“We are having a tremendous ski season and we want everyone to continue enjoying it,” adds Mahar “We hope skiers and riders will take a little time to learn about deep snow risks and best practices and remember a great day on snow starts with a foundation of safety.”
Find deep snow safety information and more on Ski Vermont’s Mountain Safety page: https://skivermont.com/deep-snow-safety
Today we have all 8 lifts operating on 3 big mountains. We have 76 out of 78 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Surface conditions are packed powder and machine groomed with average base depths of 14 to 52 inches. 39 trails have been groomed for today, including Thomke’s Express, Ruthie’s, Drifter, Garden Path, Snow Snake, Harvey’s Hideaway, and the skier’s right on Upper FIS for a total of 198 acres of freshly groomed terrain. Currently, it is 4 degrees at the summit of Sterling with sunny skies and winds of 10 to 15 mph. Today’s forecast is calling for sunny skies, breezy with a high of 25 degrees at the base and 19 degrees at higher elevations. Enjoy the sunshine and fantastic conditions!
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