With fresh snow over a period of 24 hours in much of Vermont, outdoor activities are at the top of the list this week.  Skiing conditions (both downhill and cross country) are excellent and snowmobilers are celebrating. Temps are wintery, so bundle up and get outside.  Here’s what we’re hearing from around Vermont:

Laura Malieswski of the Burke Area Chamber of Commerce in the Northeast Kingdom passes on this report from Burke Mountain, “Word from the slopes yesterday was the skiing was FANTASTIC and today should be no different….Itching to shred some park features?  Well you’re in luck as the Dashney Mile Terrain Park will make its debut this weekend.”

In addition, she lets us know, “Although we haven’t had a lot of new snow this week, conditions in Burke are great for skiing with more than half the trails open.  Kingdom Trails reports 100% of trails open and groomed for fat biking, Nordic skiing and snowshoeing.  On Sunday the 21st, the Lyndon Outing Club has a Free Ski/Ride day sponsored by Blue Cross/Blue Shield. While the trails are in good shape, snowmobilers should be aware of icy and varying conditions along the trails.”

Mike Chait at Smugglers’ Notch Resort in the Stowe-Smugglers’ Notch region reports, “Despite Thursday and Friday’s wild weather, Smugglers’ recovered rather well with 6-8” falling by midday Saturday. We are grateful that the snow started out wet and slushy, helping to bond with the base surface. As the storm progressed, it dried out considerably. While the mountain’s base is not nearly as deep as it was this time last week, we’re pleased with the outcome overall! Folks are still going in the woods, albeit cautiously, but it shouldn’t take much to bring conditions back to normal!

Activities-wise, we launched our new Kids’ Club this weekend. When checking in, kids receive a coupon to redeem a FREE “treasure chest” of goodies ranging from stickers to coupons for free hot chocolate. Also inside is a kid-centric Fun Guide coloring book which highlights some of the most popular kid-approved activities we offer. The “treasure chest” is a reusable, insulated lunch bag. We figure even on vacation, parents have to do parent things, and that can be boring. So, we’ve put together the Kids’ Club to help!”

Jessica, from Sterling Ridge Resort in Jeffersonville, only 4 miles from Smugglers’ Notch, remarks, “No day like a snow day at Sterling Ridge Resort!” Her little friend seems to agree.

Photo taken by LEGibson.

 

Further south, word from Stratton Mountain Resort is all about great skiing. “Winter Storm Inga stopped by yesterday and left us with at least 7 fluffy inches of that fresh white stuff we all love to glide through.

Today’s plan is to have 70 trails on tap, 8 of which our groomers left untouched so you can get after those leftover powder stashes. It was difficult to find a skier or rider on the mountain yesterday who could decide what his or her favorite run was because all of the trails were as one skier put it, “phenomenal.” We expect today’s prime conditions will also have people stumped on picking just one trail as a favorite.

Treasury Wine Estates will be bringing an exclusive collection of wines to Stratton on Jan. 27 for dinner at Mid-Mountain. Let the Snow Cat whisk you up the trail for this special event.”

Paul from Bromley Mountain in nearby Peru agrees, “All said and done, Winter Storm Inga dropped about 6 inches of fresh snow on us. Just what we needed after last week’s thaw! And today’s forecast is calling for partly sunny skies, temps reaching the mid 20s at the base and high teens at the summit, and moderate NW winds of up to 30 mphs.

We’ve got 24 trails on tap for you today, for a total of 108 acres of terrain. 23 trails got a fresh groom overnight, and our primary surface is silky smooth packed powder corduroy.”

The folks at Magic Mountain in Londonderry echo the same sentiments, “Temperatures will reach the mid-20s under partly sunny skies. We’ve received 6+ inches of snow in the past couple of days and we estimate about 20 trails and a couple low angle east side glades open. Ski Patrol will be out this morning surveying the conditions and dropping some of the ropes from the weekend as they can, and we will adjust the trail count and status based on real information as it occurs. Remember, on the all-natural, non-snowmaking trails there is an icy base underneath a very light, dry powder so it will still be a bit rough/firm  feeling underneath and natural obstacles like bare ground and rocks may exist.”

Once again, those of us who prefer sitting by a fire with a hot drink can enjoy the scenery outside. This latest blanket of white has created a magical winter wonderland.  Have a look at the view from my window in Woodford.