Nestled within the snowy folds of Stowe, Vermont lies a ski line that’s not for the faint-hearted. Imagine a path so narrow, it feels like you’re threading a needle with your skis. The walls of snow and rock rise steeply on either side, leaving just enough room to navigate. It’s a test of skill, precision, and nerve.

This line is not just a physical challenge, but a psychological one too. The claustrophobic squeeze between the icy walls demands not only technical prowess but also immense mental focus. Each turn is a calculated risk, and there’s little room for error.

But for @mhayes, this line offers an adrenaline rush like no other. The sense of accomplishment must have felt great, especially knowing you’ve conquered one of the East Coast’s most challenging and unique ski experiences.

Would you take on this incredibly claustrophobic ski line at Stowe?

Just because the East Coast has had a great start to the season doesn’t mean that people should be breaking the rules. This week, Stowe Mountain Rescue called out an uphill skier for going over a winch cat while shredding down the slope. Getting close to a snowcat is dangerous in and of itself, let alone a winch cat. The winch cat cable could break, potentially resulting in death.

The reason ski resorts pull uphill skiing is for situations like this. These situations continue to occur, so the uphill community needs to be smarter before a serious injury or death occurs.

Stowe Mountain Rescue’s statement is below.

“We have an urgent request to all uphill skiers at the Stowe Mountain Resort. Please observe all signage and stay away from the winch cat groomers. This morning grooming operations had to be put on hold because some skiers actually skied over the active winch cat cable on their glory run down. Yes, you read that right.

Please understand that we’re not just asking this out of respect for the resort’s right to get the mountain ready for their paying guests (though that alone is a valid reason). No, this is a pressing safety issue. Winch cats are extremely dangerous because their cable is under incredibly high tension. If that thing were to break in your vicinity, it would kill you in a second. It’s also a horrible clothesline injury waiting to happen. Think about it: the resort saw uphill skiers in their winch cat grooming area and their response was to shut down the whole operation – THAT’S how dangerous it is.

PLEASE be respectful and stay on the designated trails and away from grooming operations. And please pass this message along to anyone even thinking about skinning the mountain.”

Image Credits: Stowe Mountain Rescue, Stowe Mountain Resort

Mike Hayes kicked off the 2023/24 ski season with a banger of a powder run in the month of November! Even the Official GoPro Instagram account was impressed with the caption “Wowww ”.

We’re not sure where exactly Mike was I meant Mount Mansfield but it was a sneaky line in early low tide conditions that he absolutely smoked. Here’s to a great season and many more runs like this!

“First turns off the top of Vermont.”

Stowe Mountain opened today but it looks like a couple of hearty Vermont skiers got to try out the goods a bit early with this midnight run down Mount Mansfield on November 15th. Love these types of high effort low reward ski missions. If you have to ask why you’d hike to the top of the tallest mountain in Vermont in the cover of night just days before the resort opens only to chip your way down while destroy your bases, you’ll never really understand. Cheers to this crew. Love the spirit!

One of the most notable indications that winter is coming in New England is the closing of Scenic Vermont Route 108. The road that connects Stowe Mountain Resort and Smugglers’ Notch Resort shut down for the 2023-24 winter season yesterday. Vermont has seen a few snowstorms recently, so it seems like the appropriate time to close the tight road.

The road has been in the news a bit lately for a few reasons. For one, the Vermont News & Citizen reports that barriers will be added next year around the entrance areas of the Stowe and Cambridge sides, in an attempt to stop truckers from entering.

Secondly, the road has seen more attention based on a proposal to connect Stowe and Smugglers Notch via gondola. This wouldn’t be on the road but rather connect the Sterling and Spruce Peak portions of the ski resorts.

This proposal was sidelined earlier this fall, but they have launched a new study to try and convince people about the project. Some have wondered whether the two ski resorts should pursue using the road for the wintertime, but the Vermont Agency of Transportation has said that they don’t want to maintain it.

I got to check out the road for the first time in October, and it was a fun experience. Would it work for a road in the winter to connect the two ski resorts? I personally don’t think it would, as it doesn’t have much room to push snow over, and some sections are only accessible to one-lane traffic.

On that note… We’ve received the following statement from truckers:

A reminder that no matter the season, truckers are not allowed to go on the Notch Road due to its very narrow nature.

Image/Video Credits: Vermont Agency of Transporation, Ian Wood, R3andMe/Warner Brothers Discovery

It’s time to dive back into what may be one of the more bizarre stories from the North American ski industry this year: the proposal to connect Smugglers’ Notch and Stowe via gondola. This effort is surprisingly not being led by Vail Resorts, which owns Stowe, as Smuggs is spearheading the P/R effort on this one.

Yesterday, WCAX spoke with Bill Stritzler, who is the Owner and Managing Director of Smugglers’ Notch Resort, who explained why Smuggs is pushing for the gondola. In the video report, the reporter says that Smuggs’ is the last independent ski area in Vermont (which isn’t true), is in a fight for its life, and that this interconnected gondola is its lifeline. If they can’t complete the lift, they wonder if they can remain independent or be financially viable.

Bill Stritzler, who has worked at the resort since 1987 and owned it since 1996, is clearly thinking about his legacy. This means that he’s been analyzing the long-term financial feasibility of the ski resort. Bill’s in his mid-80s and believes that the Community Connector gondola is the way to keep Smuggs successful for future generations.

They also spoke with Mike DeBonis, the executive director of the Green Mountain Club, who has yet to announce their official position on the project. It seems that they’re likely to oppose it due to the needed move of the Long Trail if the gondola were built, which GMC takes care of.

There’s general confusion among locals about whether this gondola proposal means that Smugglers’ would either join the Epic Pass or be bought by Vail Resorts. Bill Stritzler has maintained throughout this process that there are no active talks of them being acquired by Vail.

In a June staff meeting, which was shared by Free Lot 1, Bill said there’s been no discussion with Vail Resort about what their relationship will be once/if the gondola is completed. He contemplated that this could include offering a joint ticket, both sides having a financial stake in the lift, or Vail taking a financial share in the resort.

It should be noted in the WCAX interview, Bill stated that the goal of the gondola is for Smuggs to remain independent. With Bill being in his mid-80s, it’s unclear what the next owner would want to do with Smuggs.

The thing that could get in the way of the project is Act 250, Vermont’s land use and development law which companies need to get through in order to develop projects like this. It’s not an easy thing to get past. Just ask the folks who are trying to convert the abandoned base lodge at Maple Valley into a brewery and distillery.

Matt over at Skiology News pointed out that Smuggs and Stowe are facing resistance from the Barre District Stewardship Team, which gives recommendations to the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, who approve or deny ACT 250 requests. A March meeting saw significant resistance from the Barre District Stewardship Team due to it passing over the Mt. Mansfield Natural Area, which is also a national landmark, meaning there’s a chance that this proposal gets rejected.

For more information about Smugglers’ and Green Mountain Clubs’ viewpoints, check out WCAX’s video report down below.

Image/Video Credits: Smugglers’ Notch, Free Lot 1, Skiology, WCAX

One of the most fascinating parts of Vermont’s skiing history is what places have been lost along the way. ABC Local 22 / Local 44 anchor Mike Hoey and Vermont Historical Society Executive Director Steve Perkins traveled to the Vermont Ski & Snowboard Museum in Stowe to learn more about the lost ski areas in Vermont. While there, they spoke with Brian Linder, who is a part of Mt. Mansfield’s Ski Patrol.

They discuss what some of the abandoned ski areas are, including one visible on I-89, and two of them that are hidden in the middle of college campuses. The video also shows off a map of the lost ski areas, which was made by Jeremy Davis of the New England Lost Ski Areas Project (NELSAP).

If you want to learn more about lost ski areas in Vermont, head over to NELSAP or visit the Vermont Ski & Snowboard Museum in Stowe.

Image/Video Credits: Vermont Historical Society/ABC 22 News, Vermont Ski & Snowboard Museum

If you suffer from claustrophobia you may want to skip this one because Vermont skier Mike Hayes found a little tunnel on  Mount Mansfield that will make your skin crawl. Thinking this would be impossible for a snowboarder but skiers can lay all the way back and snake this incredibly tight tube. Nice one Mike!

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A post shared by Mike Hayes (@mhayes)

Shout out to all the early risers who boot up in the dark to take in scenes like this one filmed in Vermont. Nothing quite like starting your day with golden hour powder perfection. Early bird gets the worm!

@hayesbtv

That moment before you drop in. #skitok #ski #skiing #pov #gopro #skitheeast #vermont #sunrise

♬ To Build A Home – The Cinematic Orchestra & Patrick Watson

Cheers to Mike Hayes and his dawn patrol missions. The footage is incredible: 

@hayesbtv

Dawn chaser. #skitok #skitheeast #ski #skiing #pov #gopro #sunrise #winter #vermont

♬ M83 Outro Versaille Intro – yaten82

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A post shared by Mike Hayes (@mhayes)

This ski film is an excellent pump-up for East Coast skiers in what could be a deep powder week.

Last December, Evan Daigle released a documentary that shows his adventures across Mt. Mansfield during the 2021-22 season. The ski film, which is called MANSFIELD- A Vermont Ski Movie, features tons of great tree skiing action. It even shows East Coast powder skiing, which is a rare phenomenon.

You can check out Evan’s ski movie down below.

Image/Video Credits: Evan Daigle