Smugglers’ Notch Resort in Vermont is adding 100 snowmaking guns as part of a series of resort improvements prior to the upcoming ski season.
Officials with Bear Den Partners—which purchased Smuggers’ Notch in February—announced plans to invest in snowmaking infrastructure at the resort last week.
The project will reportedly increase snowmaking capacity across the resort’s three mountain faces through the installation of 100 new snow guns, upgrades to pipelines, pumps and valves, increased water distribution from its existing snowmaking supply, and additional mountain operations equipment.
Officials said the improvements will allow the snowmaking team to operate more equipment simultaneously, take greater advantage of favorable early-season temperatures, and build a durable snow base more efficiently.
“Snowmaking is fundamental to the way we operate a mountain in Vermont, and this investment gives our team significantly more capability and flexibility,” said Mike McAdoo, Vice President of Mountain Operations at Smugglers’ Notch Resort. “When the temperatures are right, we want to be able to take full advantage of those windows.”
In addition to increasing snowmaking output, the project is designed to improve efficiency and working conditions for the resort’s mountain operations team. Additional fixed snowmaking equipment will reduce the need to move equipment between trails, while new snowmobiles and additional backup equipment will support crews working across the mountain.
“Snowmaking is a tough job, and our crew works in some of the most challenging weather in Vermont to make snow,” said McAdoo. “Anything we can do to make their work more efficient and improve the equipment they have available to them is important. At the same time, those operational improvements translate directly to a better, more consistent skiing and riding experience for our guests.”
“Investing in snowmaking at Smuggs is a fundamental investment in the resort and its future,” said Jon Schaefer, Chief Executive Officer of Bear Den Partners. “We expect this to be the first of many meaningful projects that support our skiers and riders, homeowners, and the broader Smuggs community.”
The upcoming snowmaking improvements at Smugglers’ Notch include:
- 80 new energy-efficient tower snow guns installed at key locations across the mountain to modernize equipment and expand fixed snowmaking coverage
- 20 new lower-air-demand mobile snow guns to increase snowmaking capacity during critical early-season temperature windows
- 1,100 feet of snowmaking pipe replacement, along with new and replacement valves, to improve system reliability
- A new Black Snake-to-Upper Rum Runner connection to improve water flow at the top of Sterling and provide the ability to make snow on both trails simultaneously when conditions require – improving early-season opening speed.
- Pump and motor upgrades and additional backup equipment to improve reliability and provide greater system redundancy
- Targeted trail-edge clearing to improve snowmaking coverage and restore usable trail width in select areas
- Nine additional snowmobiles to support snowmaking and mountain operations crews
