Wow, Vermont weather! As they say, if you don’t like the weather, wait a minute. Last weekend we had lows in the negative double digits and today and tomorrow it is forecast to reach the 40s and even 50s in some parts. Luckily, higher elevations should get some snow instead of the rain we will see in the valleys on Friday. Here’s what our Snow Spotters are reporting from around the state.
Laura Malieswski from the Burke Area Chamber of Commerce in the Northeast Kingdom reports, “We are finally out of the deep freeze and 100% of trails are open at Burke Mountain! Conditions are great for snowmobiling as well as Nordic Skiing and fat biking at Kingdom Trails. On Friday, the 12th there will be a Moonlit Ski, Snowshoe and Fat Bike at the Kingdom Trails Nordic Center. Lots of ice has also formed above Lake Willoughby for any Ice Climbers looking to visit. Intro to Ice Climbing Courses are offered by Kingdom Adventures Mountain Guides and guided snowmobile tours are available from NEK Adventures.
In the Stowe/Smugglers’ Notch area, Hugh Johnson’s blog for Smugglers’ Notch Resort sounds encouraging for skiers this weekend, “The snow starts Friday Night and will continue into Saturday Night. All of northern New York and the northern tier of Vermont will have the potential to receive 4 to 8 inches of snow with localized amounts up to 10 inches. Today we have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with 6 lifts operating, including the Madonna 1 lift. We have 74 trails open with terrain for all ability levels.”
Further south in Peru, Vermont, Paul at Bromley Mountain offers this daily report, “Good morning skiers and riders! We’re continuing our streak of comfortable temps and soft shreddable snow today. Our forecast is calling for highs in the upper 30s, with cloudy skies, moderate SW winds of up to 40mph, and a slight chance of a rain shower or two. Not quite bluebird, but should be a great day on the slopes regardless!
We’ve also got some great news in the snowmaking department (and just in time, with the incoming warm and wet weather). After some welding and wiring work over the next couple days, we’re expecting to fire up our snowmaking system on Sunday in an effort to resurface whatever mother nature sends our way, as well as possibly expand terrain on the East Side.
Have you planned your MLK 3 day weekend? Don’t forget to buy your lift tickets online in advance to save up to 50% off window rates! The earlier you buy, the more you save!”
Nearby Magic Mountain‘s reporter in Londonderry, Vermont states, “It’s going to be a fun, spring-like Throwback Thursday with $29 tickets for all with temperatures rising to 40 degrees. It will be soft snow all across the mountain under cloudy skies and it’s a day not to be missed!
While Friday looks like a lot of rain (skiing in garbage bags will be the fashion statement), the weekend seems to be trending a bit better with the possibility of a changeover to snow by late Friday into Saturday IF the low keeps sliding further east. Hopefully that is the case and we pick up the estimated 4-5″ per the latest Saturday forecast. Or, it could be a mess of wintry mix. Hey, it’s winter in New England so we just have to go with the flow…and we have a lot of great apres ski parties and late night music this MLK weekend. Check out our events page but we know how to have a good time no matter what mother-nature throws at us.”
Stratton Mountain, in Southern Vermont, looks forward to lots of visitors this weekend and reports, “Things will be warming up here on Stratton Mountain today, as we expect temperatures to get up to 42 degrees with the winds swirling up to 40 miles per hour under overcast skies. We will be bringing you 87 trails this morning, with 75 of them freshly groomed. 8 lifts are operating today.
Snow Cat Ride with Dinner at Mid-Mountain, a few seats remain for this unique experience this Sunday Jan 14.”