With an early season snowstorm dumping several feet of snow on area mountains, Smugglers’ Notch, Jay Peak, and Stowe are reporting optimum midwinter conditions.

While all three are offering unusually fine conditions for this time of year, only Smugglers’ Notch has constructed new trails since last year. Smuggs is presenting skiers and riders with more glades, bringing the mountain’s total gladed area to over 45 acres and 22 percent of the total skiable and patrolled area.

“We have cut three new glades this year, all on Madonna,” says Kiri Moore, mountain operations administrator at Smugglers’ Notch. “One is located to the skier’s right of Doc Dempsey’s, on the bottom of what used to be the survey line. Another is located below Red Fox Glades, on the other side of the Liftline, and dumps out onto FIS just above Link. The third one is off of Lower Drifter, just above mid-station and comes out on to Lower Rumrunner on Sterling.”

Riders will be happy to know the area has also expanded the Zone Terrain Park by widening the top part for more hits.

Moore also noted improvements to both the Morse Village and Madonna II lifts. The download ramp at the top of Morse Village lift has been reconfigured to make it friendlier for beginners. The Madonna II lift has a new lift building, and, Moore notes, “the horrible metal corrals are gone.”

Smuggs will continue to use the same energy-efficient snow making guns purchased two years ago and groom their trails the best they can.

“The groomers go wherever they can, dependant on the conditions,” says Moore. “The same old stuff will be groomed, and occasionally we’ll groom the more difficult trails as snow conditions permit and necessitate.”

Smuggs has also extended lessons to its teaching program for groups of no more than five people, for 2.5 hours. (as opposed to 1.5 hours last season)

Smugglers’ Notch offers student discounts on day tickets and season passes. Check out current rates at www.smuggs.com.

Jay Peak, which gets the most natural snow in Vermont, reports no new glades or trail modifications this season. Student discounts are available here as well. For current rates, go to www.jaypeakresort.com.

For student rates at Stowe, check out www.stowemountainresort.com.

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