MOUNTAIN LIFE - Blue Mountains | Winter 2019

70 ML BLUE WINTER 2019 “I usually head into the sidecountry going into the Notch from the Sterling side—it is some of the best tree skiing in the East.” While it doesn’t get the mainstream media attention like the giants of Stowe and Stratton, this place has the terrain, accommodation, and flair to stand up to any Eastern resort. With three mountains to choose from (Morse, Madonna, and Sterling), there is plenty of terrain from beginner to expert, and everything from epic glade skiing to steep groomed runs. Griffin Dunne, alumnus of the Freeride World Tour, cut his teeth at Smugglers’ Notch, and still finds time to head to his hometown of Cambridge and spin some laps. His advice? “If you can catch any of the lift lines after a big snow you are in for a real treat. Once those are tracked, I usually head into the sidecountry going into the Notch from the Sterling side—it is some of the best tree skiing in the East. Just make sure you know where you’re going—you might end up on top of a large cliff!” On non-pow days, there are plenty of groomed runs to explore. “My favourite corduroy is definitely Chilcoot off Madonna,” says Dunne. “It used to be a downhill racetrack and is always a good time when the snow is low.” Today it is hard to find a place without stacked lift lines, accommodations booked out months in advance, and overcrowded lodges. So like the Canadian contraband that took its own holiday in the hills of Vermont back in the day, we recommend you do the same—there is something special here on the less explored side of the Notch. COURTESY SMUGGLERS’ NOTCH COURTESY SMUGGLERS’ NOTCH