Resorts & Mountains > Smugglers' Notch
Nearly eight inches. That's my estimate of the depth of the fluffy powder we were skiing in at higher elevations this morning. And we found deeper pockets of powder in some places because it had snowed a couple of times in the last five days or so.
I sincerely thank my friends for making me wake up early this morning to ride some of the first chairs up at Smugglers' Notch!
Let's see...what trails did we have fun on... We hit FIS early because it can be windblown in the center and we wanted to...[Read more]
Sunday, February 21, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine skiing, Smugglers' Notch
Well surprise, surprise! Northern Vermont ski resorts are reporting up to 12 inches of snow has fallen on their slopes in the last 24 hours. Yippee!
We knew there was going to be light snow this week, but this is much more than expected.
Thank you, Mother Nature, for exceeding our expectations on this one!
Check out Vermont ski resort conditions here.
Photo courtesy of Jay Peak Resort.[Read more]
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine skiing, Bolton Valley, Jay Peak, Mad River Glen, Mt. Mansfield, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe, Sugarbush
I had a couple of hours to ski with a friend this morning at Smugglers' Notch. I knew it would be a rather warm day and was hoping (naively) for some sun.
Well, no sun but we skied on some nice, soft snow. I enjoyed the runs that had bumped up, including Harvey's, Full Nelson, Lower Doc Dempsey's and the edges of FIS and Treasure Run.
And I felt like a hero arcing some turns on the groomed corduroy. Father Bob's and Lower Exhibition were some of the best places to do that.
The trees on the...[Read more]
Friday, January 15, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine skiing, Smugglers' Notch
It's time for all you cross-country skiing and snowshoeing never-evers to hit the trail!
Nearly a dozen Vermont nordic ski centers are offering free introductions to these winter sports on Saturday, January 9. Now there is no excuse not to try them!
I've grown to love nordic skiing and snowshoeing over the years. It's a quieter scene than downhill skiing, and it can be a wonderful workout. There's nothing like quietly gliding or walking through a winter wonderland.
Follow this link to read...[Read more]
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
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Filed in: Bolton Valley, Craftsbury, Cross-country skiing, Highland Lodge, Mountain Top, Smugglers' Notch, Ticket discounts
Don't you hate how work gets in the way of skiing?
Well, we had to work the past couple of days — have to pay the bills — so we couldn't ski in this weekend's new snow until this morning. This was a monster storm in Burlington and the Champlain Valley, dropping about two feet of snow and breaking a record in Burlington with 33 inches! But strangely enough it was not quite as intense elsewhere.
The Skimeister and I were checking the snow reports and decided that Smugglers' Notch may have...[Read more]
Monday, January 4, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine skiing, Smugglers' Notch, Ticket discounts
New tele boots and new tele skis make for a happy skier.
We arranged our work schedule today to be able to take a few runs on a lovely afternoon. We enjoyed blue skies today -- a bit cloudy in the mountains -- and warmer temperatures. It snowed early this week, so it was a good time to try out some new gear. We zipped over to Smugglers' Notch.
I had high hopes for the equipment that I had picked up at a ski swap this fall: essentially new, three-buckle tele boots (they were demos) and brand...[Read more]
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
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Filed in: Ski gear, Smugglers' Notch
Somehow it seems appropriate to ride the Madonna chairlift on the day before Christmas.
Smugglers' Notch was running the Madonna I chair to the top of Madonna Mountain, so the Skimeister and I skied it all morning. It was our first time hitting the upper mountain this season.
If you were down in the town or valley today, you might not have realized how gorgeous it was ABOVE the clouds in the mountains today. We were fortunate to hit the slopes on one of those rare days when the skies clear as...[Read more]
Thursday, December 24, 2009
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Filed in: Alpine skiing, Smugglers' Notch
Vermont ski resorts are reporting a couple of inches of new snow this morning — with the snow continuing today in many places.
At the stake at the top of Mt. Mansfield yesterday afternoon, there was a total of 26 inches of snow. I'd expect that there are a couple more inches this morning.
Here are a few morning totals thus far:Bolton - 2 inchesBurke - 3 inches Jay Peak - 3 inchesKillington - 2 inchesSmugglers - 4 inchesStratton - 1 inchSugarbush - 1 inch
Check the snow reports links...[Read more]
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
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Filed in: Alpine skiing, Bolton Valley, Burke, Jay Peak, Killington, Mt. Mansfield, Smugglers' Notch, Stratton, Sugarbush
We were on the lift at Smugglers' Notch this morning with some friends by about 8:30 a.m. An hour earlier the temperature had been a balmy 5 degrees at the top of Sterling Mountain. Luckily, the sun was out all morning and temperatures felt higher than they have in a couple of days.
I had come prepared with three layers of fleece and my shell jacket; liners in my mittens; and my balaklava pulled up high over my cheeks. Except for my toes later in the morning, I was really quite toasty.
We...[Read more]
Saturday, December 19, 2009
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Filed in: Alpine skiing, Cochran's, Magic, Smugglers' Notch
The Skimeister and I hit the trails at Smugglers' Notch this morning. The Sterling Lift was open and it served trails both with and without snowmaking.
This was typical December skiing. Fast, hard-packed snow on the busy snowmaking trails, and better snow — along with grass and rocks — on the less-traveled natural snow trails. (We really need to find our edging tool to get our edges sharp!)
My favorite runs were on the natural snow trails where I could find some smooth snow and small moguls...[Read more]
Sunday, December 13, 2009
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Filed in: Alpine skiing, Smugglers' Notch
I had a snowy drive to Smugglers' Notch this morning to be among the first to ski there on opening day. It's been a long time coming, eh?
It was snowing this morning and the snowmaking crew seemed to be out in force. I saw them here and there around the base area and along the rather long run that was open for skiing. Several guns were pumping out snow on the mountain.
Sterling lift was running this morning, accessing a winding run made up of Upper Rumrunner to Crossover to Treasure Run.
It...[Read more]
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
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Filed in: Alpine skiing, Fall & Early season, Smugglers' Notch
Now this is more like it.
I'd like to welcome winter to Vermont. Oh, how we've missed you!
This morning Vermont ski resorts are celebrating new snow and the return of seasonably cold temperatures on their peaks. The word is that the new snow is heavy and wet, but that sounds like the start of a great base to me.
The resorts are also reporting that snowmaking is underway again as temperatures have dropped. Several resorts are targeting to open their lifts by the weekend of December 5....[Read more]
Saturday, November 28, 2009
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Filed in: Alpine skiing, Fall & Early season, Jay Peak, Killington, Mt. Mansfield, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe
Killington resumes its sporadic early-season skiing on Friday and Saturday, November 13 and 14. Sunday’s operational status is on hold pending weather and snow conditions.
An interesting top-10 list was released recently: the World's Scariest Ski Slopes. Vermont actually made the list three times with Goat at Stowe; Black Hole at Smugglers' Notch; and Paradise at Mad River Glen.
I've skied two out of the three. How 'bout you?
Here's a link to the list with pictures and video.[Read more]
Thursday, November 12, 2009
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Filed in: Fall & Early season, Killington, Mad River Glen, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe
Updated 3/11/10
I've been scouring the Internet, Facebook, Twitter and more for you (you can thank me later) in search of the best Vermont ski ticket discounts. These are some of the best skiing deals for my fellow Vermonters and our out-of-state friends, too.
Double check on the details before you drive to the ski resort! And don't forget your ID if you want to cash in on a Vermonter ski discount.
When I can, I like to make use of these discounts to try a resort that I haven't skied for a...[Read more]
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
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Filed in: Bolton Valley, Killington, Mad River Glen, Mt. Snow, Okemo, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe, Stratton, Sugarbush, Ticket discounts
I received a list of Vermont ski resort opening dates in my email, as reported by Ski Vermont. Of course, these may change, depending on the weather.
As you may know, Colorado's Loveland Ski Area was the first to open in the country. They loaded their lifts with skiers for the first time on Wednesday, October 7. (Can you believe it?) It was their earliest opening in 40 years. We're closing in on the 2009/2010 ski season, folks!
Updated 12/19/09 - Check resort Web sites for the very...[Read more]
Friday, October 9, 2009
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Filed in: Alpine skiing, Bromley, Fall & Early season, Jay Peak, Killington, Magic, Middlebury Snow Bowl, Mt. Snow, Okemo, Smugglers' Notch
The rumors are true; we've had our first snowflakes fall on Vermont mountaintops!
Twitter and Facebook are all a-twitter with excited skiers commenting on photos from their favorite Vermont ski resorts. Here are links to a few photos to get you psyched up, too.
Smugglers' Notch first snowJay PeakMad River GlenStowe snowKillington (video)
Remember, there are more ski swaps this weekend. See my Vermont ski swap post for the schedule.
Photo courtesy of Jay Peak Ski Resort.[Read more]
Thursday, October 1, 2009
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Filed in: Fall & Early season, Jay Peak, Mad River Glen, Smugglers' Notch
Yes, it's getting cool outside. I'm getting antsy, too.
Now's the time to plan your attack on Vermont ski swaps. What gear are you going to unload? What gear do you want to buy?
Well I can't exactly help you with those questions, but at least I can keep you up to date on the fall 2009 Vermont ski swap calendar. I'm adding dates & details as they are made available.
2009 Northern & Central Vermont Ski Swaps
Updated 1/7/10
September 26: South Burlington High School. Open...[Read more]
Monday, August 31, 2009
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Filed in: Cochran's, Fall & Early season, Killington, Okemo, Ski gear, Ski swaps, Smugglers' Notch
I’m sitting at my computer in a tank top and shorts, sipping a half-and-half (half lemonade and half iced tea). At the same time I’m fretting over the upcoming deadlines for season pass discounts and frequent skier programs at Vermont ski resorts.
This summer has zoomed by much too fast, and now we’re already planning our ski season. It’s a darn good thing that I love winter!
Many Vermont ski resorts offer the best deals on season passes and ski discount programs in the early fall –...[Read more]
Thursday, August 13, 2009
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Filed in: Bolton Valley, Burke, Jay Peak, Killington, Mad River Glen, Season pass, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe, Sugarbush, Ticket discounts
Bolton Valley and Smugglers’ Notch ski resorts in Vermont are excellent choices for those who live in and around Burlington and Chittenden County. And for those who are visiting the area, they are worth checking out for sure. They are smaller and less glitzy resorts than Stowe and Sugarbush, but they have some great terrain and, well, one cannot live on glitz alone. (Especially when one has to dig deep into one’s wallet to pay for it.)
Here is a peak at the mountain improvements that are...[Read more]
Friday, August 7, 2009
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Filed in: Bolton Valley, Resort improvements, Smugglers' Notch
We did it. We were out the door on Easter Sunday by 5:15 a.m.
The Skimeister and I wanted to attend our first-ever Easter Sunrise Service, and it would be atop Sterling Mountain at Smugglers' Notch.
At 6-ish, we loaded the lift with about 70 other people. The light was faint, but it wasn't dark at this hour. People had skis, snowshoes and plain old boots. The lift crept along because they had to extract the non-skiers from their chairs at the top of the lift.
I dressed for winter conditions...[Read more]
Monday, April 13, 2009
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Filed in: Alpine skiing, Food, coffee & après, Smugglers' Notch, Spring skiing
You know it's April in Vermont when on the way to skiing you stop in to look at a lawn mower.
The Skimeister and I saw a used reel mower (you know, the human-powered kind that your grandparents may have had) in Craigslist so we arranged for a look-see. We were lukewarm on the mower, but we really enjoyed our late-afternoon runs at Smugglers' Notch today.
The highest parts of the mountains in northern Vermont have continued to receive some snow. At the very top of Sterling Peak (the only lift...[Read more]
Thursday, April 9, 2009
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Filed in: Alpine skiing, Smugglers' Notch, Spring skiing
Believe it or not, many Vermont resorts picked up a few inches of snow early this week. I skied in it a bit late Thursday afternoon in the Bolton Valley backcountry trails.
With the warm temperatures and sunshine we have been having it was like skiing through sticky mashed potatoes. But there continues to be a lot of snow in the woods at this higher elevation and we had fun making the most of it. Although, we had to cross a stream to finish our descent on Gardner's Lane. There's a lot of...[Read more]
Friday, April 3, 2009
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Filed in: Alpine skiing, Ascutney, Backcountry skiing, Bolton Valley, Jay Peak, Killington, Mt. Snow, Okemo, Smugglers' Notch, Spring skiing
Our Wednesday afternoon ski at Smugglers' Notch, Vermont, turned out to be terrific.
It's that strange time of year when it remains cold at night—setting up the snow so it's very firm in the morning—yet it gradually softens to corn snow and even gets a little slushy in the afternoon. We worked through lunchtime and then headed up to the ski resort to ski in some of that springtime corn snow that can be so much fun.
Every once in a while I'd come upon some slick, hard-packed surfaces. These...[Read more]
Thursday, March 26, 2009
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Filed in: Alpine skiing, Smugglers' Notch, Spring skiing
I enjoyed the rare treat of skiing above the clouds today. This doesn't happen too often in Vermont. It is very impressive!
We arrived at Smugglers' Notch for a morning of some skiing and thought it was going to be a cloudy day. The weather report had called for partly sunny skies, but it didn't look like it from the base lodge.
About two-thirds of the way up the Madonna I chair, the sun started breaking through the foggy clouds. We broke through to bright sunshine and we could look down over...[Read more]
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
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Filed in: Alpine skiing, Smugglers' Notch, Spring skiing, Winter photography
Ah, March. It can be an amazing snow month both here in Vermont and in the West. (I'm typically out for a western ski week at this time, but not this year, unfortunately. We're keeping to a budget!)
But with the recent cycles of cold and snow followed by warm weather and rain, Vermont's snowpack is now shrinking. On Saturday, the warm temperatures made for some terrific spring skiing at Smugglers' Notch. I just hope that we can get some more snow and cold weather to keep us skiing in corn snow...[Read more]
Sunday, March 8, 2009
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Filed in: Alpine skiing, Smugglers' Notch, Spring skiing
Today was a gorgeous day to be on the slopes in Vermont. The Skimeister and I bought the Bash Badge Plus at Smugglers' Notch this season, which gives you free early- and late-season skiing (and $25 tickets in between), so we rearranged our work to hit the mountain for part of the day—sans credit card.
There is still a lot of snow up there. The snowfall from a couple of days ago still clung to the shady side of trees, and the snow was still rather soft to ski through in glades that do not get...[Read more]
Thursday, March 5, 2009
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Filed in: Alpine skiing, Food, coffee & après, Mad River Glen, Smugglers' Notch, Ticket discounts
Thank goodness! Winter has returned to northern Vermont after several days of early springtime.
Last night the rain turned over to snow as the temperatures dropped to be seasonal once again. Ski resorts picked up about 3 inches of snow overnight. This morning it was 5 degrees at the top of the mountain at Smugglers' Notch. Welcome back, Old Man Winter!
To see the snow for yourself, check out these Web cams.
Smugglers' Notch Web cam
Killington Web cams
Also visit the snow report links on my...[Read more]
Friday, February 13, 2009
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Filed in: Alpine skiing, Cross-country skiing, Killington, Smugglers' Notch
Snowstorm totals as of Thursday:
Ascutney - 14"Bolton - 17 - 19"Bromley - 10 - 12"Burke - 15"Jay Peak - 12 - 16"Killington - 21"Mad River Glen - 10 - 12"Magic - 12 - 16"Middlebury - 14"Mount Snow - 10 - 14"Okemo - 17 - 24"Pico - 21"Smugglers' Notch - 14"Stowe - 16 - 20"Stratton - 13"Sugarbush - 21"Suicide Six - 12"Source: Ski Vermont
It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.
OK, it wasn't that dramatic, but it was an interesting day of skiing at Smugglers' Notch today. The...[Read more]
Thursday, January 29, 2009
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Filed in: Alpine skiing, Smugglers' Notch
This week the temperatures have been dropping, making for some great snowmaking weather and natural flakes falling from the sky.
The temperature in Jericho, Vermont, has dropped to 10 degrees (F) today from a high of 56 degrees three days ago! The northern mountains here in Vermont received varying amounts of new snow. Jay Peak Resort reports they have received 9 inches in the last 48 hours while further south, Bolton Valley is reporting 3 inches of new snow. Mad River Glen is waiting for a...[Read more]
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
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Filed in: Bolton Valley, Jay Peak, Mad River Glen, Smugglers' Notch
The Skimeister and I were on the road at 7 a.m. today. Our mission: to make some powder turns and to be at Smuggler's Notch when the lifts opened. We only had the morning to ski, and we were going to make the most of the second snowstorm of the weekend.
Some Vermont ski areas have now surpassed the 100-inch mark for snowfall this season! That is pretty darn good for December.
I got a "Powder Alert" from Burke Mountain this morning that reported more than 17 inches of snow fell on the mountain...[Read more]
Monday, December 22, 2008
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Filed in: Alpine skiing, Burke, Smugglers' Notch
OK, we weren't choking on the powder like they do sometimes out west, but it was light and fluffy like you'd find in Utah or Colorado.
The Skimeister and I awoke early to hit the lifts at Smuggler's Notch as soon as they opened. We knew it was going to be cold, but it had been snowing a lot at home last night and we just had to find the powder today.
We took our first runs off of the Madonna chair, enjoying powdery turns on Upper FIS, lower Doc Dempsey's Glades, Freefall and Robin's Run—the...[Read more]
Saturday, December 20, 2008
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Filed in: Alpine skiing, Smugglers' Notch
Check out this weather forecast for Stowe, Vermont. It's a thing of beauty. Flakes, flakes and more flakes!
Yes, snow is on its way again after a weird week where we lost a bunch of snow on one day (we were looking at the grass again here in the Burlington area), and we woke up to a couple of inches of snow the next day.
Jeffersonville, Vt., near Smuggler's Notch, picked up 7 inches and Waitsfield, near Sugarbush, picked up 6 inches from that storm. Up at the mountain at Sugarbush, they are...[Read more]
Thursday, December 18, 2008
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Filed in: Alpine skiing, Backcountry skiing, Cross-country skiing, Mt. Mansfield, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe
What a difference a day makes. Thursday's skiing reminded me of some of the spring skiing I enjoyed last season. After we waited out the morning rain (yes, rain!), we took to the Sterling lift at Smugglers' Notch. There we found soft snow that made you feel like a rock star!
Today, on the other hand, we were transported quickly back to December skiing. The temperatures had dropped overnight and we woke up to sunny skies. As we drove to Smugglers' Notch ski area you could see the snowmaking...[Read more]
Friday, December 5, 2008
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Filed in: Fall & Early season, Smugglers' Notch
Phew! I just snuck in under the wire. I'm happy to report that I took my first turns for the season in November — just as I did last year — even if it was the very last day of the month.
The Skimeister and I headed up to Smugglers' Notch, Vermont, today to take some early season runs and we were not disappointed. There was plenty of snow on the few snowmaking trails that were open. Natural-snow trails even had some coverage, but rocks, grass and dirt was still showing here and there so skiing...[Read more]
Sunday, November 30, 2008
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Filed in: Alpine skiing, Fall & Early season, Smugglers' Notch
Did you know Vermont has more colleges per capita than any other state? It's true. And all those students are now cramming for one of the most important assignments they will have this year: selecting a season pass from a range of college ski pass deals.
Here in northern Vermont, St. Michael's College students actually receive season passes to Smugglers' Notch as part of their tuition packages. Regularly Smuggs sells its college passes for $319.Champlain College provides full-time students "in...[Read more]
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
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Filed in: Alpine skiing, Ascutney, Bolton Valley, Burke, Jay Peak, Killington, Mad River Glen, Season pass, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe
Ski Vermont, an advocate for the Green Mountain State's ski industry, is offering a limited number of Ski Vermont 3 Passes and Ski Vermont 5 Passes for the coming ski season.
I've never bought one, but here's the scoop: You can purchase this pass now and ski at three different Vermont resorts during non-peak days this winter. The participating ski resorts are: Ascutney, Bolton Valley, Bromley, Burke, Jay Peak, Killington, Mad River Glen, Magic Mountain, Middlebury Snow Bowl, Mount Snow, Okemo,...[Read more]
Thursday, October 9, 2008
5 Comments
Filed in: Ascutney, Bolton Valley, Jay Peak, Killington, Mad River Glen, Okemo, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe, Sugarbush, Ticket discounts
< Follow this link to the calendar of 2009 Vermont ski swaps >
I don't know about you, but I'm looking for some ski gear before the snow flies this year. For one, I want to pick up some plastic telemark boots so I can really have more turning capability on my descents in the woods.
I'm going to check out a couple of Vermont ski swaps to see if I can score some equipment that fits me. I was successful two years ago when I found some new, unwrapped Karhu Pavo skis...so who knows what I...[Read more]
Monday, September 29, 2008
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Filed in: Cochran's, Killington, Okemo, Ski gear, Ski swaps, Smugglers' Notch
What's the most common mistake out-of-state visitors make when planning ski trips to Vermont?
This is the question that Budget Travel magazine put to a Vermont guidebook author this month, and I have to say he had a decent answer.
"The biggest mistake people make is the head right to the 'biggest' mountains with the biggest names—especially Killington, Sugarbush, and Mount Snow. While those mountains have earned their reputation for some of the most exciting and difficult terrain in the...[Read more]
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
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Filed in: Alpine skiing, Ascutney, Burke, Jay Peak, Killington, Mt. Snow, Smugglers' Notch, Sugarbush
Ah, nearly Labor Day. It's about time to lock in to the best deals available on season passes and skiing discount cards in Vermont.
The Skimeister and I are planning to ski around Vermont resorts and the backcountry a lot this winter, but we also want to ski Smugglers' Notch at least eight times or so, so we looked into the the Bash Badge Plus. The best price is had when you bag the badge before Labor Day.
This discount card allows the holder to buy $25 ski tickets during the season. The...[Read more]
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
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Filed in: Alpine skiing, Bolton Valley, Burke, Cochran's, Jay Peak, Mad River Glen, Season pass, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe, Sugarbush
Well it seems really early this year, but Easter weekend is here! We're going to do some skiing this weekend. Are you?
If you are headed to the slopes in Vermont and want to enjoy a unique tradition, roll out of bed extra early on Sunday to take in a sunrise Easter service. The ski resorts hold these at the top of the mountain, so if the weather is good you can get an inspiring view, and a nice early morning ski run.
So far, the weekend weather is looking clear and lovely (what a treat!) But...[Read more]
Thursday, March 20, 2008
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Filed in: Alpine skiing, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe, Sugarbush
When you live in the north country, winter is something you embrace. This weekend in Stowe, Vt., they're doing just that with the Stowe Winter Carnival.
Some of the country’s best amateur and professional ice carvers create frozen masterpieces on Saturday, January 26. The nationally sanctioned competition is one of many activities during this annual celebration with roots back to 1922.
Yes, ice can be nice. The chopping, picking, chain sawing and creative blow torching goes on between 11 a.m....[Read more]
Friday, January 25, 2008
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Filed in: Food, coffee & après, Jay Peak, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe
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