On the eve of some expected precipitation (we may end up with about six inches of snow in the mountains by Monday night), the Skimeister and I hit Smugglers' Notch Resort for some lift-served skiing. We figured Sunday morning might be less busy than Saturday and I think we were right. We enjoyed a relatively uncrowded first day at the ski area.
I would be making my first alpine turns of the season in a brand new pair of boots. If you've bought new boots lately, you probably know that I was nervous about how they'd feel the first day out.
We got off the lift and started down Upper Rumrunner. After a few turns I felt like I had just been making parallel turns yesterday! It's funny how it all comes back to you so quickly.
We were in for some zippy skiing this morning. The snow was fast and my freshly tuned skis were well-waxed. Zoom-zoom! I also had sharpened edges so I concentrated on carving my turns as much as possible in the manmade snow.
Thanks to snowmaking, Smugglers' Notch has 14 trails open plus their Birch Run terrain park. Most of those trails are off of the Sterling Lift, serving intermediate and expert terrain. Meanwhile, the Sir Henry's Glider Lift and Mogul Mouse Magic Lift were running in the village area for beginners.
Sterling tops out at 3,040 feet and views here don't disappoint. You get a good look across at Mt. Mansfield just as you get off the lift.
Snowmaking continues in locations around the resort that include the Madonna and Morse sections of the resort. We watched a snow whale grow on Lower Liftline, next to the Madonna I lift. Could they be planning to open the M1 or M2 lifts soon?
I was glad that turning felt good in my new boots. The only issue was cold toes. I'm hoping that as the boots pack out, my toes will get some more breathing room. Each bootfitter that I spoke to reminded me that while I was in the shop and taking my first runs, that would be the tightest the boots would ever fit me. We'll see how it goes!
<link http: www.erh.noaa.gov btv html snow.shtml external-link-new-window nws>Check this National Weather Service link for Vermont snow forecasts and reports.
