Spring Skiing & Riding

Only 40 degrees today with a little coudy on top but what a fantastic day of skiing. Still 84 inches of snow at the gauge on top of the mountain and big crowds for this time of year.
If you enjoy good skiing get to Stowe in the next 3-4 weeks. Tomorrow is perdicted to be sunny & in the 40's so we will enjoy.
Ken Libby

Spring is coming, Maple Syrup can not be far behind

Today is cold but predicted to be the last really cold night of the year. They are saying record lows tonight which means below -25.
Starting tomorrow morning we have a warming trend and Saturday night will be in the 20's with sundays temps in the 40's. This will likely start the sap run and the forecast through all of next week is similiar. That means boiling will start in the sugar houses and skiing will start towards spring skiing. That is an awesome combination and with the amount of snow we have the Stowe Sugar Slalom race, to be held April 7 & 8, will be one of the best in years as long as it is a sunny day.
For more information on the race go to the Vermont Alping Racing Association's web page at
http://vara.org/news/eventcalendar.asp

And it just keeps snowing

6-8 inches at my house in the last 24 hours and flurries to continue for a couple of days, temps today in the 30's. Great powder skiing this morning and it should continue to be good. Temps cold next few nights but warming towards next weekend.
Ya'll come and enjoy!!!!
Ken Libby

Time to Catch Up

Sorry for not updating for a few days. I went on a business trip out of state and couldn't remember my password. Old age apparently catching up.
Got back on Monday and the weather has been so great I went skiing. Last 3 days, Sunny, temps in the 30's and snow conditions best in years. Forecast for a foot or more starting tonight and lasting through Friday late afternoon.
This weeks events:
The TD Banknorth New England Bill Koch League Festival - Fri, Mar 2nd - Sun, Mar 4th at Trapp Family Lodge Touring Center
Stowe Snowmobile Tours! - Offering two hour guided tours. We have great trail conditions! info@stowesnowmobiletours.com802-253-6221. www.stowesnowmobiletours.comFOR MORE go to http://gostowe.com/home/thisweek.php
Rental of homes & condos continues to be strong through early March as vacationers make up for the slow start of the season. Interested in coming to Stowe give us a shout out on our web site or by phone at 800-639-1812
Ken Libby

Spring Skiing, Summer Plans & Maple Syrup

Skied 10 runs today, weather was great, about 27 degrees and overcast. The sun will be with us tomorrow and 35 degrees.
Talk in the air about maple sap run which all the farmers are getting ready for. They are in their sugar woods making sure the taps and lines did not get damaged during the storms last week. Give us about 3 days of 40 degree weather and it will start running. Could be within the next week but likely will be the middle to end of March.
If you have never visited a syrup making operation you should put it on your list of things to do. If you want suggestions of where to visit give me a shout out.
Its not to early to start to think about summer vacation in Stowe. If you want to rent for a month or two, which many people do, please plan ahead and give us a call or email.
Ken Libby

Saturdays Snow Report

Below is the snow report issued today from the mountain. You notice that they say 5 feet of new snow this week. I can tell you from experience that they are correct. It is wild and fantastic skiing & riding. Went snowshoeing this morning and even with snowshoes the snow was over my knees.
Come and Enjoy!!!
ATTENTION, PLEASE! AVALANCHE WARNING! Stowe Mountain Rescue has issued an advisory that anybody considering travel in the backcountry should be alert to extemely high avalanche danger, due to the recent heavy snowfall. With continued cold temperatures forecast, it is expected these conditions will continue through the weekend into next week. Welcome to the Presidents Day Holiday Week at Stowe Mountain Resort! And we welcome everyone to our two incredible mountains - Mount Mansfield and Spruce Peak. Our slopes have been covered with incredible amounts of snow over the last month, about FIVE FEET of which has fallen just this week! Welcome to the best conditions of the year at the Skiing and Riding Capital of the East - Stowe! Make sure to check out the great base lodge entertainers, and be at Midway Lodge Saturday night at 7pm for Torchlight Parade & Fireworks. The weather looks great for the weekend, with some sun, seasonal temps and a chance for more snow to freshen things up. All of our terrain is open, including all of our glades. In the freestyle terrain realm, we have 3 parks on Mansfield (Tyro Large, Standard Medium and North Slope Medium), a rail park (5th Avenue- off top of Triple) and smaller learning features on Spruce for aspiring freestylers. Lift Times: Over Easy 7am - 5pm, FourRunner Quad 7:30am - 4pm, Gondola 8:30am - 4pm, All Other Lifts 9am - 4pm (Adventure Triple 4:30pm)
Ken Libby

Storm of a Life time

Would you believe over 40 inches in 24 hours? The Governor stated this morning that this apparently is the largest snowfall in one 24 hour period in Vermont's history.

Lots of calls today from President Week's vacationers asking if the roads are passable. YES they are and with another 24 hours of work they will be excellent. The only suggestion is be careful on city streets as cars coming out of parking lots can not see around the snowbanks and may surprise you as you drive by.
Stowe Mountain Resort has issue an avalanche warning for the back country which is the first time I have ever seen that. The last time I can recall a storm larger than this is the winter of 1968-69 and again in 1969-70 BUT those storms were over 3-5 days. This all came down from 4AM Wednesday until 1AM today. The walkway at my office in the village is over my waist and I am 6 foot tall.
Skiing, riding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling will be the best in years over the next few weeks AND GUESS WHAT, the long range forecast says we are going to have another Northeaster coming on Friday next week, the 23rd.

Snow Forecasted for Holiday Weekend

THREE FEET IN THE VILLAGE AND FOUR FEET ON THE MOUNTAIN!!!!
That is the forcast this morning for a storm to begin tomorrow, Wednesday about 3AM and finishing about noon on Thursday. The forecaster said he might be off by 6 inches which means we will receive the best snow fall we have received in one storm since 1993.
This will set up the holiday week which begins on Saturday for the most outstanding skiing and riding that we have had in years. The public seems to be aware of it as our rental division had four calls yesterday for rentals beginning Saturday, talk about last minute shopping.
Come to Stowe and have fun this week. All the Stowe Mt. Resort ski shops will be having sales also during the week.

Snow & more snow

I had to travel to Brandon, Vermont this morning to show an Inn & Restaurant to a client. Left Stowe with about 5-6 inches of fresh snow overnight and drove in sunshine for the first hour but the last 45 minutes was in snow flurries. Trip back was on snow covered back roads over the mountain into the Sugarbush Valley area of Vermont and than back North to Stowe. Once back here I had to wash the car and get ready for more snow tonight and tomorrow morning, than turning cold for two days. End of the week should be outstanding.
I will ski tomorrow, Sunday, morning and will post conditions but if you look at the comments of SkiSheba attached to my post about the special pricing at the mountain yesterday you will see that she (I assume it is a female by the name although I don't know who it is) took advantage of the ticket pricing and had a grand time with outstanding conditions and temperatures in the high 20's.
Ken Libby

Wow, what a week!!!

It started snowing Wed. night & has barely stopped since, total of 13-16"! Breaks down like this: 4-6" by early yesterday morning, 3-4" during the day yesterday, at least 6" more overnight! Powder Day! Come and get it!
That was the ski report this morning on the website of Stowe Mountain Resort. It was windy and temperatures were only 8 degrees BUT on a day with over a foot of new powder you got to go and I did. Wow, what wonderful skiing and what great conditions for the upcoming vacation week.
If you are wondering if you should come to ski during vacation week by all means set asdie whatever you think can wait and come on up, It is as good as it gets right now.
Not able to update the last couple of days as I was in meetings on the road Wed & Thur but things on the hill have been improving every day with 3-4 inches each day. Yesterday morning I had about 6-7 inches at my house, more during the day and an extra four inches this morning.
For another report on conditions you also can go to http://www.stoweinsideline.com/insideline/index.php and see what this writer feels. He skis everyday and does posts on conditions. In the summer he golfs everyday and writes about that.
Ken Libby

Woodchuck Day

Below is Governor Jim Douglas' thoughts about the forecast for 12 more weeks of winter by the Vermont Woodchuck at this mornings event.
Vermont Governor Vetoes Punxsutawney Phil's Forecast Says Vermont Woodchucks Confirm 12 More Weeks of Winter Wonder
Vermonters Celebrate 'Woodchuck Day'
Montpelier, Vt.-Governor Jim Douglas today said his state is vetoing the findings of Punxsutawney Pennsylvania's most famous resident Punxsutawney Phil, an alleged "groundhog" masquerading as a meteorologist.
Reports from Pennsylvania suggest Phil has forecast an early spring, but Vermont begs to differ.
"First, everyone knows that 'groundhogs' are really woodchucks, so I don't know who Phil's fooling," the Governor said. "But more troubling is his prediction for an early spring.
"Our woodchucks know winter," Douglas continued. "And they've confirmed that it will last well into April. We've received a great deal of snow in the last few weeks, with more in the forecast. Now's the time to come on up and enjoy our legendary skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and the many inns, bed and breakfasts and resorts that make Vermont a winter wonderland."
In an elaborate ceremony hosted by The Radio Vermont Group this morning in Waterbury, Vermont, many of the state's woodchucks assembled to confirm winter, at least in Vermont, would last 12 more, snowy weeks.
Asked to comment on Vermont's celebration of Woodchuck Day, Punxsutawney's official Groundhog Day Coordinator Michelle Neal said, "We thought of it first, so Vermonters can bug off."
In a response typical of the state's well-known acerbic wit, Vermonters have designated an official reply to a "Happy Woodchuck Day" salutation. When wished a "Happy Woodchuck Day" Vermonters answer, "bug off."
Much like the Bill Murray gem 'Groundhog Day,' Vermont will be repeatedly waking up to prime winter weather well into April.
Punxsutawney Phil couldn't be reached for comment. However, several locals speaking on the condition of anonymity said, true to his squirrelly roots, he was last seen heading to the snow-covered mountains of Vermont on his snowmobile-packed with his skis, snowboard and snowshoes.
"Well, maybe he didn't see his shadow on Gobbler's Knob, but he's apparently on his way to Vermont to enjoy an extraordinary winter vacation," Governor Douglas said.

Update from the Mountain

Below is the update directly from the mountain which is published two times a day. I copied this one and pasted it in as I was not able to get to the mountain today. Weather is Sunny, about 27 degrees and I was able to wash the car today for the first time and a couple of weeks.
Two-four inches of snow overnight, & it's snowing lightly this morning with additional light accumulations forecasted. The snowy weather should continue off and on for the next few days, with a chance for snow or flurries each day right through the weekend. Surfaces all over the resort should get a nice freshening up with the new snow, making our already great packed powder surfaces that much better! Snowmaking operations continue as we build bases up for the long haul into spring. We'll make snow again tonight on upper Lord and Ridge View on Mount Mansfield.
Remember if you are interested in knowing more about investment opportunities in and around Stowe please contact a member of our staff at www.StoweRealty.com

Good Day from Stowe

Weather is sunny & bright but still about 10 degrees at noon time. A little snow is forecasted for Friday & Saturday evenings which will be good for the trails. Some of the trails are getting polished and could use some good snow.
The weather is suppose to warm over the weekend but get cold again next week. We will ski as much as possible and keep you posted.
It will be time soon to think about your summer vacation plans. If you ahve not experienced Stowe in the summer you should think about that option. Stowe does the majority of it's income in the non-winter months and something is going on in Stowe almost every weekend during the warm months. Within the next few days we will have part of the summer calendar on this site.
Ken Libby

Snow Exceeds Predictions

I wrote yesterday that the forecast was for 7-10 inches and maybe as much as 15. Since noon yesterday I have received in excess of 12 inches at my house and another 5-6 is predicted ending late tonight.
The forecast for the next 5 days is Sunny each day with normal temperatures. This will make for OUTSTANDING skiing & riding during Winter Carnival week which started yeaterday.
Come & Enjoy, this is the best of the winter so far!!!!
Photo is from the ice carving competition at last year's Carnival.
Ken Libby

A Day We Live For

December 29th skied 13 runs, sunny all day, not a cloud int the sky, one of the types of day we live for. Skiing was excellent, more trails opened, skied top of Hayride a number of times.
December 30, it started snowing hard about 630AM, 5 inches in the parking lot of my office in the village by noon and still coming. Sunday the 31st supposed to be sunny, skiing should be wild.
Ken Libby

On the Gondi

Ahhh, the Gondola! My kids love the Gondi! The long ride up to the top of Mt. Mansfield allows them enough time to get out the Gondola Goodies! What are Gondola Goodies? In our case they are giant sized Rice Krispie treats, coated with chocolate. You can often spot them at the restaurant at the Octagon or at the Market Place at the base of Spruce. They are a treat not to be missed!
To my kids' delight, Gondolier is open from top-to-bottom and Upper Perry Merrill is scheduled to open tomorrow. It snowed today on the mountain and the folks at Stowe Mountain Resort's snowmaking team continue to make snow every moment it's possible. Stowe is reporting Snowmaking Trails Average Base Depths of 24" - 36" and Natural Trails up to 10". Lots of time for "Gondola Goodies!"
The photo above is from the archives at Stowe Mountain Resort's website. It was taken two days ago, December 24th.

Heroes of Mansfield

The streets of Stowe lack snow, but look up to the Man. Thanks to the Heroes of Mansfield, the snowmaking team of Stowe Mountain Resort! Yes Virginia, there really is skiing at Stowe this week!