I took my freshly tuned skis to Smugglers’ Notch Resort today and enjoyed fast turns under blue skies! We got our first alpine runs of the season off the Sterling Mountain double chair, which ascends to 3,040 feet and gives skiers a gorgeous, frosty view of neighboring Mt. Mansfield and Madonna Mountain.
The trees were covered in rime and the trails were covered well with manmade, frozen granular. There were a few inches of natural snow under the lift, but not enough to ski on. Upper and Lower Rumrunner allowed for fast turns where you could tip your edges and let them arc in the groomed snow. We enjoyed making turns on Black Snake, too, despite the hard-packed steep pitches that had been scubbed off. I love having sharp edges and trying to truly carve my turns on that stuff!
In addition to the intermediate and expert trails on Sterling, the Birch Run Terrain Park was also open — as well as some beginner terrain at the bottom of Morse Mountain.
It was cold today, I'd say about 10 degrees up top, but when you were in the sun it felt pretty nice. On sections of the trails that were in the sun, I could watch my shadow turn in front of me.
Driving up Route 108 to the resort in the morning, it looked like the mountain was on fire — it was, in fact, rather aggressive snowmaking on Morse Mountain and lower Madonna Mountain. Thank goodness that with the rollercoaster ride of early season weather the resorts are still able to put out a lot of snow. Let's keep the thermometer set to cold, Mother Nature!
In view all around, the mountains were brilliant white against a blue sky. A gorgeous day for our first alpine skiing of the year.
Deals for You!
Don't forget to check our <link http: www.skimaven.com post vermont-lift-ticket-discounts-and-deals-for-2014-2015-more-discounts-more-skiing _top external-link-new-window skiing>list of Vermont skiing discounts to see if there are good offerings at your favorite resorts. Some deals expire in early- or mid-December.
