Patrick
Well-known member
Okay, so you heard about the rain and the warm temps we got earlier in the week in the small Laurentians report.
Although the rain had been heavy for a few days, those small centres were still 100% open and relatively good conditions all things considered. This wasn't the case in Vermont. Our initial plan was one day at Smuggs followed by two at MRG. Well MRG was closed midweek and might not open for that weekend and Smuggs was reporting 33 trails instead of the 70+ a few days earlier. :?
OUCH!!! Welcome Warm Winter 2006. :x
I hadn't been at Smuggs in over ten years, time flies sometimes before going back to a place you love. I guess I skied too many good places out there in the last 10 years.
Time wasn't the only thing that was flying that day, but snow. Lots of it. I would say a fresh 1 feet of snow. This was my best Eastern Powder day since October (ok, so I didn't get out much in the East this winter). There were a few very temping tracks coming and going to the right side of Madonna (all closed - Drifter, Catwalk, Shuttle). However I wasn't here to be selfish, I was here to ski with my daughter and wife.
First run: Chilcoot. Had a great time on this classic trail plus there was some nice untracks powder still on the edge.
Next run: Top of Doc Dempster was closed, he headed for FIS. Conditions here were definately not powder. More like frozen groomed hardpack. Morgane carved it like a pro and enjoyed the challenge. She was surprise when she turned back and realized that she had just skied THAT steep run. We eventually did this one again. We never took the lower connection to Doc's. My daughter also loved the SuperPipe near Lower FIS as we did it a few times.
In the Afternoon, I had to convince my daughter to go and check out Sterling. We did Thomke's, something was definately done to this trail, because it's wasn't as fun as I recalled it. :? I don't recall all does shortcuts and crossovers. Morgane love it anyways. Later, there was still a few fresh tracks to be had on our what to Highlander Glades. There were a few roots showing in the glades, but nothing terrible.
We tried Smugglers' Alley (Bootlegger was closed). Slick, Icy and groomed. Morgane had a good slide at one point.
Overall, a great day. Now just imagine if it hadn't rained?
Ah yes, I forgot... when I asked my daughter how she liked her day? She said that Smugglers' Notch was her second favorite mountain. I'm ask her which one was her favorite? Mad River Glen. And Tremblant? #3 for the village.
It's not about the new lifts and villages, it's the skiing that is important, even my 8yr agrees. That's why I also like Smugglers', I would hate too see that change.
Where are we going to ski the next day (not MRG)? We drove down to Burlington too sleep and were going to think about it.
(next report another day)
Although the rain had been heavy for a few days, those small centres were still 100% open and relatively good conditions all things considered. This wasn't the case in Vermont. Our initial plan was one day at Smuggs followed by two at MRG. Well MRG was closed midweek and might not open for that weekend and Smuggs was reporting 33 trails instead of the 70+ a few days earlier. :?
OUCH!!! Welcome Warm Winter 2006. :x
I hadn't been at Smuggs in over ten years, time flies sometimes before going back to a place you love. I guess I skied too many good places out there in the last 10 years.
Time wasn't the only thing that was flying that day, but snow. Lots of it. I would say a fresh 1 feet of snow. This was my best Eastern Powder day since October (ok, so I didn't get out much in the East this winter). There were a few very temping tracks coming and going to the right side of Madonna (all closed - Drifter, Catwalk, Shuttle). However I wasn't here to be selfish, I was here to ski with my daughter and wife.
First run: Chilcoot. Had a great time on this classic trail plus there was some nice untracks powder still on the edge.
Next run: Top of Doc Dempster was closed, he headed for FIS. Conditions here were definately not powder. More like frozen groomed hardpack. Morgane carved it like a pro and enjoyed the challenge. She was surprise when she turned back and realized that she had just skied THAT steep run. We eventually did this one again. We never took the lower connection to Doc's. My daughter also loved the SuperPipe near Lower FIS as we did it a few times.
In the Afternoon, I had to convince my daughter to go and check out Sterling. We did Thomke's, something was definately done to this trail, because it's wasn't as fun as I recalled it. :? I don't recall all does shortcuts and crossovers. Morgane love it anyways. Later, there was still a few fresh tracks to be had on our what to Highlander Glades. There were a few roots showing in the glades, but nothing terrible.
We tried Smugglers' Alley (Bootlegger was closed). Slick, Icy and groomed. Morgane had a good slide at one point.
Overall, a great day. Now just imagine if it hadn't rained?
Ah yes, I forgot... when I asked my daughter how she liked her day? She said that Smugglers' Notch was her second favorite mountain. I'm ask her which one was her favorite? Mad River Glen. And Tremblant? #3 for the village.
It's not about the new lifts and villages, it's the skiing that is important, even my 8yr agrees. That's why I also like Smugglers', I would hate too see that change.
Where are we going to ski the next day (not MRG)? We drove down to Burlington too sleep and were going to think about it.
(next report another day)
