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. Almost all of the trails were open at Smugglers' Notch (74 of 78 trails) and it was so nice to be able to really ski the mountain.
There were many people skiing today so the natural snow trails were showing some wear by midday. It was fun to ski on the less-trodden, snowy sides of the trails. I took just one run on the Madonna I lift to the top of Madonna Peak because the line was scary long, but at lunchtime the line shrunk so I zipped over. I was mostly enjoying skiing off the Sterling and Madonna II chairlifts.
The new snow made the glades tempting so I made a few turns in some glades off of the Pipeline trail on Sterling Peak. I could see exposed fallen logs and I scraped up against a rock. I jumped back on the trail.
I was hoping for better luck on the low-angle Bermuda Glades on Madonna Peak and I found it. The snow coverage was quite good in this mellow glade. I was happy to be among the snow and trees in a quiet corner of the mountain. Lower Doc Dempsey's glade was also quite good.
We've got more snow in the forecast this weekend so let's hope the snow momentum (snowmentum???) continues. We can use more snow in the woods and glades, for sure.
Get out on the slopes and trails while the getting is good! You'll be glad you did!
Smugglers' Notch Resort at a glance
- 6 double lifts; 2 surface lifts
- 78 trails
- Easy: 17%
- Intermediate: 51%
- Advanced/Expert: 32%
- 14 glades
- 5 terrain parks
- 310 skiable skiable acres
- 2,610' vertical drop
- 62 % snowmaking capacity
- Rentals and lessons available
