Resorts & Mountains > Smugglers' Notch
Easter is hopping closer! This year it falls on Sunday, March 31. Vermont ski resorts often have Easter-themed events to get families out on the snow. Some ski areas also hold mountain-top sunrise services, where you can get some first tracks after the service.
Call or visit the ski resort websites to confirm that the details haven't changed!
Stowe Mountain Resort: Easter Sunrise Service & Easter Egg Hunt
A non-denominational service atop Mt. Mansfield. Free...[Read more]
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
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Filed in: Bolton Valley, Bromley, Burke, Jay Peak, Killington, Mad River Glen, Magic, Mount Snow, Okemo, Smugglers' Notch
Occasional midday flurries made way for clearing skies this afternoon at Smugglers’ Notch, Vermont.
My friend and I skied off all three main lifts and enjoyed fast groomers and challenging moguls and glades. The ski area received 2 - 3 inches of snow over the last day. It was light, fluffy stuff that helped the ski conditions. The trees were white with snow and the temperatures were cool.
We sought out moguls, and they often had some soft snow on their crests. The bumps were...[Read more]
Saturday, March 16, 2013
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Food, coffee & après ski, Smugglers' Notch
Did you know Smugglers’ Notch has a Nordic trail network? Well they do, and it’s quite nice.
On Sunday afternoon, after finishing some house chores, I took off for a warm, spring ski. I wanted a location that was rather high and not baked by the sun, so after getting a ticket and consulting the trail map, I set my sites on the highest trail in the network.
It was mostly sunny and warm on Sunday, so I only needed a zip top on and I was not wearing gloves. I carried water and a snack,...[Read more]
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
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Filed in: Cross-country skiing, Smugglers' Notch
With about 18 inches of snow falling around the Green Mountains in Vermont in the last two days, it was clear that I had to do everything in my power to get some runs in today. I was able to take off for a half day of skiing at Smugglers' Notch Resort and found that I was not alone — many other people had the same idea on this day after the storm. I heard that Bolton Valley was bustling, as well.
I enjoyed runs on packed powder and broken powder, as well as some turns in the glades....[Read more]
Friday, December 28, 2012
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Smugglers' Notch
A gaggle of Vermont ski resorts plan to open this long holiday weekend! They join the four ski resorts that are already spinning their lifts: Killington, Okemo, Stowe and Sugarbush.
The new group consists of Stratton Mountain, Mount Snow Resort, Smugglers’ Notch Resort, Bromley Mountain and Jay Peak Resort. Find out when each opens at this blog post about opening dates, which we've been keeping updated.
So, that makes nine ski resorts to choose from this weekend. Cool!
Happy...[Read more]
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
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Filed in: Bromley, Fall & Early season, Jay Peak, Killington, Mount Snow, Okemo, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe, Stratton, Sugarbush
Last season featured new chairlifts at three Vermont ski resorts (at Burke, Mount Snow and Stowe — read about it here), while this year only Jay Peak has a new lift. Investments were mostly steered toward snowmaking, trails and facilities at Vermont ski resorts for the 2012 - 2013 ski season. Here's a look at on-mountain investments that you'll see this season.
Bolton Valley
no on-mountain improvements announced
Bromley Mountain
base lodge renovations for the upcoming season60 new HKD...[Read more]
Sunday, November 18, 2012
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Filed in: Bromley, Burke, Jay Peak, Killington, Mount Snow, Okemo, Resort improvements, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe, Stratton
Updated 12/22/2012 PM
When are Vermont ski resorts opening? Ski Vermont has released a list of the tentative opening dates for Vermont ski resorts. Remember that during early season there are often a select few trails open to start; check to see which trails and what ability level they are.
These may change due to weather, of course, but here's what the ski resorts are thinking:
Killington Resort: Monday, November 5, 2012Okemo Mountain Resort: Thursday, November 8Stowe Mountain Resort:...[Read more]
Thursday, November 1, 2012
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Filed in: Bolton Valley, Burke, Fall & Early season, Jay Peak, Killington, Mount Snow, Okemo, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe, Stratton
Updated 3/15/2013
Finding the best lift ticket values takes a little bit of poking around. We’re here to help as we’ve scoured the Internet to find some of the best lift ticket deals at Vermont ski resorts!
This list covers Vermont frequent skier cards, special discount skiing days, Vermont resident lift ticket deals, and the like. It does not cover season passes — so if you are going to ski for eight or more days at a single Vermont ski resort, also compare season pass pricing at that...[Read more]
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
3 Comments
Filed in: Bromley, Killington, Mad River Glen, Magic, Okemo, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe, Stratton, Sugarbush, Ticket discounts
Updated 10/31/12
It’s mid-August and the summer in Vermont has been mighty fine, but many a skier and rider are already thinking about where they will ski this winter. Season passes are just one of the ways you can save some dough on the Vermont slopes. But, you have to estimate how many days you will ski at a resort to see if the math works out to your advantage.
Frequent skier cards, Vermonter lift ticket discounts, and a variety of special event ticket deals are also options, and we...[Read more]
Thursday, August 16, 2012
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Filed in: Jay Peak, Killington, Mad River Glen, Mount Snow, Okemo, Season pass, Smugglers' Notch, Stratton, Sugarbush, Ticket discounts
It’s veggie time in the mountains of Vermont! Vermont's ski towns are among those that have weekly farmers' markets when the snow is not flying.
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture produces a handy website that has a statewide schedule of many farmers’ markets. The list includes these markets which I selected because they are located somewhere near a Vermont ski resort or ski town that you may be visiting during the summer months:
Northern Vermont Farmers’ Market Schedule In/Near Ski...[Read more]
Monday, July 16, 2012
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Filed in: Bolton Valley, Bromley, Food, coffee & après ski, Jay Peak, Mount Snow, Okemo, Ski towns in summer, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe, Sugarbush
Vermont has experienced summer-like temperatures over the last week. We've been wearing shorts and t-shirts. The sun has shone brightly as well, and while this makes for lovely weather to recreate in, it hasn't been kind to the snow.
Some ski resorts have thrown in the towel for the season, while some others will call it quits this weekend. Some mention that bare spots can be encountered any time and walking may be required at the top and bottom of trails.
Others mention that...[Read more]
Friday, March 23, 2012
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Bolton Valley, Bromley, Burke, Mad River Glen, Mount Snow, Okemo, Pico, Smugglers' Notch, Spring skiing
The Skimeister and I went skiing at Smugglers’ Notch this morning, and we were delighted to find that we’d start by skiing above the clouds!
The conditions were spring-like. It was very hard/frozen first thing in the morning, but then as the sun hit the trails things softened up quickly.
Check out some photos from our morning atop Madonna and Sterling peaks. And enjoy this sunny weather![Read more]
Saturday, March 17, 2012
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Smugglers' Notch, Spring skiing
Thank goodness for days off during the midweek! My friend and I were lucky enough to enjoy a wonderful powder day at Smugglers' Notch today. It was super-fun!
With a lot of new snow to play in from the past week, and more that fell last night and during the entire day today, we were in seventh heaven. We headed for gladed runs as much as possible. We made the rounds of Bermuda, Shakedown (twice), Doc Dempsey's, Pirate's Plank and more. We also enjoyed powdery conditions on...[Read more]
Thursday, March 1, 2012
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Smugglers' Notch
I haven't been on the alpine boards for over a week so I took advantage of the sunshine and blue skies and I skied at Smugglers’ Notch this morning.
Despite putting on sunscreen when I left home, I think I ended up with a bit of a sunburn! It was bright out there today and the views were gorgeous.
I skied off the Madonna I chairlift to the summit and my first run was a good choice. I noticed on the snow report that they had groomed both upper and lower FIS (it’s usually a mogul run). It...[Read more]
Thursday, February 9, 2012
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Smugglers' Notch
Ski resorts in the northern and central parts of Vermont picked up another round of unexpectedly high snowfall yesterday. Depending on location, it was on the order of 6 to 12 inches of snow! (Check the snow reports on our Vermont Ski Resorts page for details.)
Base areas first experienced some rain and then it changed to snow as the temperatures dropped through the day and, well, it just kept snowing! Today we have cold temperatures that are surely helping with snowmaking, as...[Read more]
Thursday, December 29, 2011
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Bolton Valley, Cross-country skiing, Jay Peak, Killington, Mad River Glen, Pico, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe, Sugarbush
What a nice, sunny weekend. And it featured some first-of-the-season happenings today:
Stratton opened for the season Smugglers’ Notch opened for the season I got my first turns of the season today!
While it was a windy day, and lift holds were apparently an issue at Sugarbush, I was able to get some morning runs in at Smugglers’ Notch for the first time this ski season!
Smuggs opened its Sterling Lift and and essentially one long run today. I heard some...[Read more]
Sunday, December 4, 2011
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Fall & Early season, Smugglers' Notch, Stratton, Sugarbush
This time of year can really try a skier's patience. Temperatures rise and fall. Rain can sneek in, rather than snow. And sometimes we can get a blizzard. You just never know.
As we turned our calendars to December this week, some colder temperatures returned to the region — thankfully — after a warm spell. Snowmaking guns and fans could be heard at several of Vermont's ski resorts. Small armies of snowmakers were painting the ski trails white.
This weekend Stowe, Okemo and...[Read more]
Friday, December 2, 2011
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Fall & Early season, Jay Peak, Killington, Okemo, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe, Sugarbush
I flew in over a frosty-topped Camel's Hump yesterday afternoon after a trip out of town. I soon heard that the forecast calls for a winter storm tonight into Wednesday! Could be a few to several inches of snow accumulation, or a mix of rain and snow depending where you are in Vermont. [See forecast.]
The new colder temperatures and potential snowfall may help those Vermont ski resorts that want to open this Thanksgiving week and weekend.
Stowe has confirmed that they will...[Read more]
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Fall & Early season, Jay Peak, Killington, Mount Snow, Okemo, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe, Stratton, Sugarbush
<<FOLLOW THIS LINK TO THE 2012 - 2013 POST ABOUT VERMONT LIFT TICKET DISCOUNTS!>>
Updated 3/5/2012
When it comes to the 2011 - 2012 ski season, are you wondering what’s new for lift ticket discounts in Vermont? We’ve been compiling our annual list of what we think are some of the better lift ticket deals and promotions so that you can start shopping around.
As usual, we’ll update this blog post as new ticket discounts are announced throughout the fall...[Read more]
Friday, October 21, 2011
2 Comments
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Bolton Valley, Burke, Jay Peak, Mad River Glen, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe, Sugarbush, Ticket discounts
What a gorgeous weekend! I took advantage of ample sunshine by biking a loop around Stowe, Vermont, on Saturday, and then hiking in Smugglers’ Notch on Sunday morning.
Some trees are starting to change color already. Pretty soon we'll be hiking through technicolor woods! Our hike on Sunday took us up the very popular Sterling Pond trail which departs from the base of the cliffs in the dramatic Smugglers’ Notch — midway between Stowe and Smugglers' Notch ski resorts on Route...[Read more]
Monday, September 12, 2011
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Filed in: Ski towns in summer, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe
<<FOLLOW THIS LINK TO THE 2012-2013 SEASON PASS DEAL DEADLINE POST!>>
Hello skiers, in case you haven’t noticed: It’s nearly fall!
It’s time for county fairs, back-to-school sales, and now season pass deal deadlines! Some Vermont ski resorts have early-bird deals on season passes and often the deadlines roll through the fall – with the best deals for those willing to make their investment early on. Nowadays, online purchasing allows you to get the pass you want without driving to...[Read more]
Sunday, August 28, 2011
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Filed in: Bolton Valley, Burke, Jay Peak, Mad River Glen, Season pass, Smugglers' Notch, Stratton, Ticket discounts
After a snowy winter and wet spring, we are enjoying farmers’ market season in Vermont! At recent markets that I went to I saw lots of leafy vegetables, tomatoes, beans, peas, beets and more. Can’t wait until the sweet corn is out, too!
The Skimeister and I started our garden a bit late due to an extremely wet May and some early-June travel. But with some recent heat and sun, things are really starting to grow (eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, for example). But I’ve been picking up...[Read more]
Friday, July 15, 2011
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Filed in: Bolton Valley, Bromley, Food, coffee & après ski, Jay Peak, Mount Snow, Okemo, Ski towns in summer, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe, Sugarbush
I met up with a couple ski buddies at Smugglers' Notch on Friday for an afternoon of sun and snow and smiles. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, there really is a lot of snow up in the mountains in northern Vermont! (I believe there are over 90 inches of snow at the stake atop Mt. Mansfield, for example.)
We like skiing in the glades so we hit up several of them including Shakedown and Bermuda. We only had to avoid an occasional stump or rock. It really is amazing for April.
Get...[Read more]
Saturday, April 9, 2011
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Smugglers' Notch, Spring skiing
Had a great time skiing with some ski buddies at Smugglers' Notch, Vermont, on Saturday. We enjoyed about 3 to 4 inches of new snow on top of a very strong base of snow. We kept remarking how good the coverage was despite this late date!
I especially enjoyed the terrific conditions in the glades. Not many rocks or stumps to avoid. Add some sun, some dramatic clouds, short lift lines and very comfortable temperatures and you couldn't have asked for a nicer day on the slopes!
A few Vermont ski...[Read more]
Sunday, April 3, 2011
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Smugglers' Notch, Spring skiing
I skied at Smugglers' Notch ski resort on Friday, and I have to tell you: It's still winter up on the hill!
We skied in three inches of fresh powder, on top of the snow they got earlier this week. The coverage was very good for the end of March. In fact, it felt more like late-February!
I was skeptical about what we would find in the woods, because we had warm temperatures last week and then it's been cold since. But it was even good where they hadn't groomed! The glades were great!
The...[Read more]
Saturday, March 26, 2011
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Smugglers' Notch, Spring skiing
The good times certainly rolled today on the mountain. With more than two feet of new snow, warm temps and bright blue skies, today was an amazing day to be skiing in northern Vermont!
At Smugglers' Notch, I met up with a friend who had the same idea that I had: to rearrange the work schedule to accommodate some powder skiing. It felt like I was back skiing in Colorado. The sun came out bright and strong just a day after a really big snowstorm. So sweet!
I woke my feet up by taking my first...[Read more]
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Smugglers' Notch
The snowstorm that is currently hitting Vermont has been most ferocious in the northern part of the Green Mountains. (It's about time! Several of the storms this season favored southern Vermont!)
Here's what Vermont ski resorts are reporting for snowfalls via social media as of 7 and 8 am Monday morning. And it's still snowing in northern Vermont.
Note: Check with the resort before you drive there. Some are indicating late openings or ice (southern Vermont) and weather-affected lift...[Read more]
Monday, March 7, 2011
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Backcountry skiing, Bolton Valley, Cross-country skiing, Jay Peak, Mad River Glen, Smugglers' Notch, Sugarbush
Oliver, the Smugglers' Notch telemark instructor who coached me this week, seems to have the same skiing philosophy that I do. Why stick only to skiing on the trails and why stick to just one kind of skiing? Branching out and trying something new will keep skiing forever fun and interesting!
This is what I've been doing for the last eight years or so. This lifelong alpine skier married a former nordic ski racer, so guess what new sport I picked up? Then I was introduced to...[Read more]
Friday, February 18, 2011
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Backcountry skiing, Cross-country skiing, Smugglers' Notch
Ever wonder what all the fuss was about when it comes to cross-country skiing or snowshoeing? Well it's about time you found out.
Winter Trails Day
Eight nordic centers in Vermont are offering special events or freebies as part of Winter Trails Day on January 8. The goal: to get people out on the trails in the wintertime to see what they've been missing!
These are the nordic centers in Vermont that will participate in one way or another. Visit this site to read up on the details. Call the...[Read more]
Monday, January 3, 2011
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Filed in: Blueberry Lake, Bolton Valley, Craftsbury, Cross-country skiing, Mountain Top, Ole's, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe, Ticket discounts, Trapp Family Lodge
We were starting our countdown for the new year, but we were also doing some "spring skiing" at Smugglers' Notch.
After a dark morning with a few rain sprinkles, the weather started shaping up nicely as the day moved on. By late morning we were enjoying sunshine and spring-like temperatures. The warm weather made for soft bumps, soft and smooth groomed runs, and mashed potato-like snow on the sides of the trail and in the trees.
I caught up with a few friends and we enjoyed runs on...[Read more]
Friday, December 31, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Smugglers' Notch
I feel rather guilty for having such a nice day on the slopes today, while some skiers at Sugarloaf, Maine, were part of a terrible lift accident. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who were injured. (See this Associated Press article.)
But the sky was blue and the snow rather plentiful today at Smugglers' Notch in Vermont. They had reported up to 10 inches of new snow over the last couple of days, and it was fun to ski in, even if I wasn't getting first tracks.
My warm-up run (ha!) was...[Read more]
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Food, coffee & après ski, Smugglers' Notch
Holy coastal blizzard, Batman!
Southern Vermont got dumped on thanks to this storm that made its way up the East Coast. Resorts were reporting one to two feet of new snow. Nice!
As you head north in Vermont, the snow totals diminished. Even still, places like Smugglers' Notch and Bolton Valley reported several inches of new snow.
The only problem — and it's an all-too-common one — is the damn wind. Why does wind always seem to come to visit when the snow does? So today some ski resorts were...[Read more]
Monday, December 27, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Bolton Valley, Magic, Smugglers' Notch
I caught myself grinning underneath my balaclava today. I was riding the Sterling Summit chair at Smugglers' Notch for my first runs of the season, looking left, right, up and down when I realized I was grinning like a fool. I was surrounded by winter! The trees on the top half of the mountain were encrusted with snow. When you were far enough away from the sound of snowmaking, you could hear the branches clink together as they swayed in the wind.It was snowing — dropping big fluffy flakes —...[Read more]
Monday, December 6, 2010
2 Comments
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Fall & Early season, Smugglers' Notch
Add Bromley Mountain to the list of Vermont ski resorts that plan to be open this weekend. They plan to start spinning their lifts on Saturday.
Here are your choices for Vermont ski areas open this first weekend in December:
BromleyJay PeakKillingtonMount SnowOkemoSmugglers' NotchStoweStrattonSugarbush
Visit our Vermont ski resorts snow conditions links page to check on what lifts and terrain are available. At many resorts only intermediate and expert skiing terrain are available at this...[Read more]
Friday, December 3, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Bromley, Fall & Early season, Jay Peak, Killington, Mount Snow, Okemo, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe, Stratton
<<FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR THE 2012 - 2013 OPENING DATES>>
Updated 12/3/10 AM
It's that time of year: Vermont ski resorts are planning their opening days and making snow to make those opening dates a reality,
Bring on the ski season!
Here's a review of opening dates for skiing at Vermont ski resorts. This information was gathered from the resort Web sites. Do check with the resorts directly to confirm lift operation before you drive there! You can find links to the ski conditions...[Read more]
Sunday, November 14, 2010
1 Comment
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Fall & Early season, Jay Peak, Killington, Mount Snow, Okemo, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe, Stratton, Sugarbush
<<FOLLOW THIS LINK TO THE 2012-2012 SEASON PASS DEAL DEADLINE POST!>>
Updated 9/1/2010
It’s inching closer to Labor Day, school time and the colors of fall — and it’s time to think about season pass discounts!
Here are important deadlines to keep in mind while you decide what Vermont ski resorts you might ski this winter, and whether a season pass is a good deal for you. (Do the math!) The earliest discount deadlines are between August 30 and Labor Day!
Some resorts are...[Read more]
Friday, August 20, 2010
1 Comment
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Ascutney, Bolton Valley, Bromley, Burke, Cochran's, Jay Peak, Killington, Mad River Glen, Magic
After some wet weather (and some snow at higher elevations) we are heading into a really warm and sunny stretch of weather in Vermont. In the coming days you'll want to ski in the morning because it will get very warm, and slushy, by afternoon. Oh, and wear your sunscreen. You'll need it.
These Vermont ski areas have succumbed to spring. They are now closed for the season:
Suicide SixAscutneyMiddlebury Snow BowlCochran's Ski Area
Easter Sunrise Services at Vermont Ski Resorts
This Sunday is...[Read more]
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
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Filed in: Smugglers' Notch, Spring skiing, Stowe, Stratton, Sugarbush
Sunny spring skiing continues in Vermont today and Saturday. Wow, it's been an incredible stretch of sun and soft snow. All this corn snow can make a skier hungry!
A local weekly newspaper is talking up a small dining renaissance in Jeffersonville, Vermont, the home of Smugglers' Notch ski resort.
Seven Days recently wrote about some interesting new restaurant options and menu changes at the Mix Café and Bakery, Stella Notte, Hearth and Candle and The Brewski:...[Read more]
Friday, March 19, 2010
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Filed in: Food, coffee & après ski, 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
1 Comment
Filed in: Alpine / downhill 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
4 Comments
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Bolton Valley, Jay Peak, Mad River Glen, Mt. Mansfield, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe, Sugarbush
