Saturday was the start of the winter season at Smugglers Notch, and this opening day was different than usual. Opening day at a ski resort is something special for skiers and riders, its the first experience they have of the winter, many times the majority of people at the mountain are season pass holders. For the most part, patrons of a mountain show up on opening day despite conditions, as there is usually limited trails open, thin cover, and warm temperatures; all of which makes for a mediocre day on the slopes.

This year was different. Smugglers notch and the surrounding ski country was blessed by mother nature with about 14” of fresh powder just a few days before the mountain opened. The energy on the slopes was something I, and many others, have never experienced before; a combination of the usual opening day excitement, mixed with the ever persistent joy of a powder day.

The attitude of skiers and riders on any opening day will be great , as they are exited for the season ahead, and just happy to get their boots into their bindings; this year though, it seamed as though many people were shocked by the conditions in which they were skiing.

Of course, as it always does, the fresh snow brought with it more people to the lifelines, which is usually not nearly as much of an issue at Smuggs as it is anywhere else I have skied. The mountain had plenty of people at it, but was not crowded.

The lifts started spinning at 8am, per usual, and serviced 10 trails of mostly intermediate terrain with a few advanced trails open thanks to the weather. Many skiers and riders saw the great conditions as an indicator of a great season to come.

It was strange to see people with their fat powder ski’s in November, as they are mostly used in the later months of February and march; the months that we think of when we hear the words pow day.

The season was off to a noticeably good start, and all of the skiers and riders hope it stays that way, including me; But with warmer temperatures and more precipitation on the way, possibly rain, the next couple of weeks conditions are uncertain.

Hopefully mother nature will keep up her wintry spirit over the course of the early season, if not, we may be waiting a long time for a day that compares to first of the season.