Smuggs First Time. Suggestions?

[KingM]

My son and I are going to Smuggler's Notch tomorrow to take advantage of these tickets I bought through a school fund raiser. It's my first time on the mountain and I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

The Madonna 1 lift was closed today so it will be fresh tomorrow..plus that is where most of the expert terrain and cool glades are..Robins Run and Doc Dempseys glades are fun..allow lots of time..I'm guessing it could be almost 2 hours from Warren to Smuggs..

 

[KingM]

The Madonna 1 lift was closed today so it will be fresh tomorrow..plus that is where most of the expert terrain and cool glades are..Robins Run and Doc Dempseys glades are fun..allow lots of time..I'm guessing it could be almost 2 hours from Warren to Smuggs..

An hour an a half, according to Mapquest (going up and around, not the Notch, which I know is closed). Yeah, it's a ways out there, but I get too damn lazy just skiing the resorts that are a few minutes from here, so I'm excited about the chance to do something different.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

An hour an a half, according to Mapquest (going up and around, not the Notch, which I know is closed). Yeah, it's a ways out there, but I get too damn lazy just skiing the resorts that are a few minutes from here, so I'm excited about the chance to do something different.

Cool..I'm just saying to allow two hours so you can be sure to be in line early for first chair..I think I saw your car two days ago after I skied Sugarbush..do you drive a Passport? It was around 2PM Saturday..have a great day tomorrow..

 

[4aprice]

I grew up skiing at Smuggs when it was Madonna Mountain. If it's your first time there I would actually start at Morse. There are 2 to 3 really good and fun runs there that usually don't have traffic and have good snow. (Garden Path, Snow Snake and Upper Morse Lift Line) I would then move over to the Madonna/Sterling areas. The cross overs require some speed and skating but they're not horrible. Sterling has some great runs (Rum Runner, Treasure, and Black Snake). Madonna of course has the longest and most difficult stuff but Chilcotte and Drifter are must ski's. Was up there last spring for the first time in many years and really enjoyed it. I didn't miss the high speed lifts one bit. Enjoy.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

I grew up skiing at Smuggs when it was Madonna Mountain. If it's your first time there I would actually start at Morse. There are 2 to 3 really good and fun runs there that usually don't have traffic and have good snow. (Garden Path, Snow Snake and Upper Morse Lift Line) I would then move over to the Madonna/Sterling areas. The cross overs require some speed and skating but they're not horrible. Sterling has some great runs (Rum Runner, Treasure, and Black Snake). Madonna of course has the longest and most difficult stuff but Chilcotte and Drifter are must ski's. Was up there last spring for the first time in many years and really enjoyed it. I didn't miss the high speed lifts one bit. Enjoy.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

Would you begin on Morse on a huge powder day??? When Madonna was closed the previous day???

 

[KingM]

No, I drive a Pilot. And unfortunately, first lift is not an option for me. I have a bunch of guests I have to cook for here, first. I'm hoping to be on the lift by 11:00. It won't be a full day, but this time of the year I can't get away for too many of those.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

No, I drive a Pilot. And unfortunately, first lift is not an option for me. I have a bunch of guests I have to cook for here, first. I'm hoping to be on the lift by 11:00. It won't be a full day, but this time of the year I can't get away for too many of those.

Awesome!!!! So it sounds like you wear many hats...I do as well working for a small family business..

 

[KingM]

We had a great time at Smuggs today. We were on the lift about 11:00, took a quick break for a Madonna Burger and a huge ol' brownie, then were the last riders on the lift at the end of the day.

Great woods and glades. As a first-timer, I appreciated being able to find them and also the pointers a couple of you gave me. That helped a lot.

Some beautiful views late in the day when the clouds left. Really cool to see Stowe so close.

My biggest complaint is that most trails were groomed to within an inch of their life. I even saw a groomer working late in the afternoon, which seemed bizarre. It took me half the day to find the ungroomed trails and there were only a couple of trails that had real bumps on them. As a guy who skis Sugarbush and Mad River, with bumps by the billions, this surprised me a little. I've been practicing my moguls, so I'm always on the lookout. I did find some, but they were not easy to find.

 

[loafer89]

No, I drive a Pilot. And unfortunately, first lift is not an option for me. I have a bunch of guests I have to cook for here, first. I'm hoping to be on the lift by 11:00. It won't be a full day, but this time of the year I can't get away for too many of those.

I was wondering by chance if it was you who served my son and I breakfast this morning? We where skiing at Mad River Glen and I was wearing a red Spyder outfit.

 

[KingM]

I was wondering by chance if it was you who served my son and I breakfast this morning? We where skiing at Mad River Glen and I was wearing a red Spyder outfit.

Well, if you stayed at the Golden Lion and my wife didn't serve you, then yup, that was me. I might have been preoccupied by the thought of skiing all that fresh snow.

 

[loafer89]

Well, if you stayed at the Golden Lion and my wife didn't serve you, then yup, that was me. I might have been preoccupied by the thought of skiing all that fresh snow.

Yes, we did stay there last night, in room #7. Nice to have accidentally meet you.

 

[KingM]

Cool. Next time we'll have to introduce each other.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

nice report KingM and with all the recent snowfall..I wouldn't expect or want to ski moguls..but all the grooming seems lame..

 

[KingM]

nice report KingM and with all the recent snowfall..I wouldn't expect or want to ski moguls..but all the grooming seems lame..

I wasn't even expecting moguls, just not everything so flattened out. What does it matter if you have one foot or twenty, if it's all pancake and corduroy?

(Again, this sounds like I'm bagging on Smugglers, but the mountain has a lot to offer.)

 

[kcyanks1]

I wasn't even expecting moguls, just not everything so flattened out. What does it matter if you have one foot or twenty, if it's all pancake and corduroy?

(Again, this sounds like I'm bagging on Smugglers, but the mountain has a lot to offer.)

Were Freefall, Robin's Run, and Liftline groomed? I've never been to Smuggs, but I always had the impression those trails were left untouched.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Doesn't Smuggs attract more of a family/beginner/recreation crowd..maybe that's why so much was groomed but Stowe and Sugarbush groom over half of their terrain regularly..

 

[KingM]

Freefall and Liftline were not groomed. I'm not sure what Robin's Run is, if I skied it or not. I don't mind some groomed trails, especially when my legs have turned to jelly. Like I said, I really enjoyed myself, it's just that I found myself surprised that they had groomed some areas that seemed perfect to ski in a more natural condition.

Again, I did find some stuff eventually, and I know that every place grooms at least some, even Mad River Glen. But take Sugarbush. I can't imagine that if you'd gone up yesterday that you would have found Birch Run or Sunrise groomed. It's the dark blue and easier black stuff that I like to ski on a fresh powder day and that's the stuff that should be left ungroomed. Groom all the greens and cruisers you want.

 

[billski]

Freefall and Liftline were not groomed. I'm not sure what Robin's Run is, if I skied it or not. I don't mind some groomed trails, especially when my legs have turned to jelly. Like I said, I really enjoyed myself, it's just that I found myself surprised that they had groomed some areas that seemed perfect to ski in a more natural condition.

Again, I did find some stuff eventually, and I know that every place grooms at least some, even Mad River Glen. But take Sugarbush. I can't imagine that if you'd gone up yesterday that you would have found Birch Run or Sunrise groomed. It's the dark blue and easier black stuff that I like to ski on a fresh powder day and that's the stuff that should be left ungroomed. Groom all the greens and cruisers you want.

I agree with KingM. I don't think the marked trails get the luv they should. I've skied there several times and felt the same way every time. It's hard to put my finger on it.

Yes, it's marketed towards a "whole family" environment where underage kids can be tended to by a plethora of staff and programs, and mom and dad can do their own thing. They also really don't want you there just for one day.

 

[SkiingInABlueDream]

Were Freefall, Robin's Run, and Liftline groomed? I've never been to Smuggs, but I always had the impression those trails were left untouched.

I don't think it would be possible to pass a groomer on Robin's or Madonna liftline.