WARREN, Vermont — To the shock of muck and mire enthusiasts throughout New England, Sugarbush Resort has announced the cancellation of its annual mud season. Close to five feet of new snow in the last week and the forecast of two significant Nor’easters have forced the central Vermont resort to forgo the spring mess fest in favor of powdered slopes and an extended ski season.

New England spring breakers who were hoping to come up and frolic in the mud pools will now be faced with a monstrous snow pack and the possibility of a long stretch of powder days. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Warren, VT forecasting as much as 16 inches of snow by Friday. Another storm scheduled to arrive Sunday could leave just as much. As of 2:30 Thursday afternoon, 8 inches of new snow had already blanketed Sugarbush.

“We understand a lot of people may be troubled by this news,” remarked a dismayed JJ Toland, Sugarbush’s Communications Director. “It’s been over a decade since the Resort was faced with the prospect of skiing and riding into May. We are asking everyone to bear with us.”

With 55 inches of snow falling between April 4th and 12th, residents of the mountain community have been left speechless, said Toland.

“No one in town can remember a late spring like this. To have to cancel mud season in favor of hip-deep powder days??В¦ in April? It’s virtually unheard of. We want everyone to know that although the weather is out of our control, we are prepared. We have plenty of powder skis available for rent and our lodges have been stocked with extra frothy beverages to help assuage the effect of a day romping through a foot and a half of new snow.”

To see the latest mountain forecast, visit www.sugarbush.com.