WARREN, Vermont — A series of fast moving fronts dumped almost 40 inches of fluff on Sugarbush Resort between March 16th and early March 18th. The Shamrock Storm began late Friday and weather gurus called it over Saturday afternoon after is had deposited 14 inches of snow on the central Vermont resort. But a pair of sniper squalls ripped across Lake Champlain beginning at sundown of St. Patty’s Day and dropped an additional 24 inches of new snow on Sugarbush. By Sunday afternoon, 38 inches of new snow covered the resort’s 4,000 acres. Including the weekend’s drubbing, Sugarbush has received over 12 feet of snow since February.

With the tremendous amount of new snow, the success of the new Lincoln Peak Village, and the extra snow the resort has made on such popular trails as Stein’s Run, Snowball, Spring Fling, and Coffee Run, Sugarbush has decided to move late-season skiing and riding back to Lincoln Peak. Lincoln Peak has been the late mountain before, and with the new patios, BBQ pit and restaurants, resort officials feel this year is the perfect time to move the spring party back to where it all began. (Mt. Ellen passes will be valid at Lincoln Peak beginning April 2nd.) Lincoln Peak’s spring festivities get underway this weekend with the 11th Annual Dummy Big Air competition. The annual rite of spring sees competitors strap to skis everything from handcrafted bovines to effigies of their favorite politicians and launch them off a jump. Going forward, the resort plans to make Lincoln Peak the late-season mountain every year. A new pass product will be offered as a result of the change.

The Mt. Ellen Plus pass will give holders not only access to Mt. Ellen’s 42 trails and seven wooded areas, but will also include five All-Mountain day tickets that can be used anytime during the 07-08 season. The Plus pass will also be valid at Lincoln Peak when Mt. Ellen closes for the year. If Lincoln Peak is the early mountain next year, the Plus pass will be valid there until Mt. Ellen opens. As always, kids 12 and under will receive a free season pass identical to the one their parent or legal guardian purchases. Season passes for the 2007-08 season are now on sale.

While the resort plans to keep lifts running until April 29th, officials are already looking toward the warmer months. This summer the PGA of America’s 2006 Champion Ron Philo will take over as the new pro at the Sugarbush Golf Club and Tennis Director Mike Smookler will be continuing his revitalization of the tennis programs. When the snow finally melts (probably in June!), lift-served mountain biking will be making its return to Sugarbush and a new disc golf course will open at Lincoln Peak. Thrill seekers??В¦ the Sugarbush Zip Line will make its debut this summer as well.

For the latest resort info, visit www.sugarbush.com.