CAMBRIDGE, Vt. (WCAX) – Many parts of Vermont got their first taste of snow this week, and that has many– including the state’s ski resorts– jumping for joy.
The roar of snow guns and the crunch of November snow are early signs of the changing seasons, fueling the anticipation of upcoming skiing.
“We saw the snow and we needed to be here,” said Grahame Makugler of Richmond.
“We’ve been chomping at the bit for a while here,” said Gunnar Johnson of Underhill.
Makugler and Johnson got up before work on Friday and hustled to Smugglers’ Notch for some early-season shredding.
“I’ve been dreaming of skiing for the last month, and it’s finally good to turn it into reality,” Makugler said.
“Snowvember” is off to the races. Sterling Mountain received around 10 inches on the summit this week, which staffers say will help them get a jump start on the season.
“Everyone is waiting for it to happen. It’s a lot of building excitement, and soon enough, everyone is going to get that itch scratched,” said Matt McCawley of the Smugglers’ Notch Resort.
Earlier this year, some resorts were concerned about their snowmaking capacity after a severe drought. But thanks to several soaking storms, they say there are now plenty of reserves to draw upon.
“We’ve got a great window of snowmaking for next week, too. So, I know the resort whenever we can we will be. We obviously rely on cold temperatures, but we’ve got the water and the manpower. We’re ready to go,” McCawley said.
Smugglers’ hopes to have the chairlifts spinning the Friday after Thanksgiving, and community members have their fingers crossed for lots of snow and a long ski and ride season.
