February 24, 2010
Smugglers' Notch, Vermont
Ski Watch Reporter Marsha

Ski Watch Reporter Marsha skied at Smugglers' Notch in Vermont on Wednesday, February 24. Here's what Marsha had to say about her ski day:

Epic Deep Powder Day at Smugglers Notch!  Winter is back!

Today more than made up for the lack of significant snowfall in February. 18 to 24 inches of medium weight powder turned Smugglers’ Notch into a winter wonderland.  All 3 mountains are completely open and all 78 trails had plentiful powder.  The snow continued dumping heavily all day. Surfaces were consistently replenished between runs with fresh medium weight powder.   It was also a comfortably mild day with temps in the mid to
upper 20's.

Skier traffic was light so there were no lines at the 6 lifts that were turning. I started the day on Upper and Lower Chilcoot, a groomed intermediate accessible from the summit of Madonna Mountain.   I found an endless bounty of soft playful bumps with 8-10" of loose, medium weight powder, coverage was excellent top to bottom and edge to edge.

I also skied Upper FIS a steep expert trail leading to Lower FIS a less steep intermediate trail.  Here I found 20-24" of fresh powder and consistently spaced, moderate size bumps with excellent coverage.  Knee deep powder top to bottom!

After a short lunch break I headed over to the Sterling Lift and skied Upper Pipeline, a steep, narrow expert trail.  Snow surfaces were a consistent 20-24" of whipped cream consistency powder with moderate size bumps. I also skied Highlander Glades and found 10-12" of medium weight powder; great coverage underfoot and with the fir trees laden with snow it was heavenly in there!!

Today was the type of powder day that is retained in your memory bank. Even the last run of the day was in knee deep powder...

The forecast for Thursday includes another 3 to 5 inches of snow and temps ranging from 27 - 34 degrees.  Snow showers are in the forecast for Friday. Should make for an amazing weekend to ski Smuggs!

 

-Ski Watch Reporter Marsha