Conditions Report
Report for Friday, April 11, 2026
I closely watched the weather from Brossard all week. Friday morning was shaping up to be the best window for some spring snowboarding. After a season spent entirely on the northern side of the Canada/U.S. border following our passports being stolen, I finally had my new documents in hand. I booked the very last room at The Black Lantern Inn in Montgomery, Vermont.
This is the first time since the pandemic that I’ve spent (nearly) all my snowboard season in Canada. Though it was a decision made for me, the Indy Pass’s expansion into Quebec and Ontario means there is a wide variety of resorts to ride right here at home. I have had some beautiful days in the mountains at Rigaud, Habitant, Vallée Bleue, Calabogie, Sutton, and Owl’s Head. But it’s not really ski season for me until I get down to New England.
I headed south to the Frelighsburg/North Berkshire border crossing on Thursday afternoon. For perspective, Jay Peak Resort, less than a two hour drive from Montreal, is considered the local resort for many in the city—for a long time myself and my young family included. Not traveling here for nearly a year doesn’t sit right. Even The Black Lantern is a familiar place where I ate with my kids, sometimes once a week. My room was well beyond my expectations for a last-minute booking: a king-sized bed, separate living area, jacuzzi bath, and many thoughtful details, including several back issues of Skiing History Magazine to flip through. There were still a couple of hours of sunlight left. I decided to go for a drive to reacquaint myself with northern Vermont before getting cozy.
I drove past all the corners of my life here: through Montgomery Center, turning right on the 242 toward Eden, then down into Johnson, and on to Jeffersonville. From there, I climbed Route 108 toward Smugglers’ Notch. If the Notch road were open this time of year, I would have driven through into Stowe, but it doesn’t open to traffic until later in May, when the last of mud season is a memory. Now under new ownership with Bear Den Partners, Smuggs sat quietly in the late afternoon light. I thought about what its season might look like in 2026-27; it’s exciting to witness the dawn of a new age at Smuggs. The sun was just starting to set as I pointed my car back toward Jay Peak.
I pulled into the Stateside parking lot Friday morning with just enough time to get myself organized before the lower lifts started spinning. Spring lift hours are 9:00 a.m. for the lowers, 9:30 a.m. for the uppers, and everything shuts down by 5:00 p.m. They are maintaining the same schedule on weekends and throughout the week. There were a couple of riders already waiting at the Stateside lift toward Northway—honestly, one of those chairs I could lap all day and never get bored with, and I have, but I hadn’t been here in nearly a year and wanted to cover as much of the mountain as possible before the rain settled in.
The morning had a relaxed, steady energy. Not crowded, just active—kids in lessons, parents taking early laps with their kids, people moving unhurriedly through the mountain. This is what I love about Jay in the springtime. The vibe is chill, even when you’re getting rained on. People smile at you, nod as they pass. There’s a shared understanding that we’re all just happy to be on the snow and to ride for as long as it lasts.
I had a simple plan: read the mountain fast and move. I headed up the Flyer and immediately dropped into Ullr’s Dream for the best early protection and the most consistent snow. From there, I stayed on Flyer laps, repeating runs to take advantage of soft spring edges that still allowed for clean carving and flow. From the top, I started stitching the mountain together—working transitions between Flyer side and Stateside, trying to stay ahead of the weather window.
At one point, I made a wrong turn and funneled back toward Tramside. I was mildly annoyed with myself because the clock was ticking and the sky was turning, but I shook it off and made my way back to Stateside on my next lap. By mid-day, I had effectively connected both sides of the mountain, riding the whole system as conditions shifted.
- Related: Jay Peak Resort, VT, is the Snowiest Resort in North America as it Surpasses 300″ for the Season
The mission to end the day was Purgatory. I rode down Northway and dropped into the lower lines as the rain fell steadily. Even soaked, my spirits were high. I saw only two other riders on the chair at this point, and they headed in the opposite direction at the top. That kind of immersive quiet you get navigating a mountain alone is rare. The snow stayed soft and surfy. These were my hero laps of the day, just me and the terrain in front of me. I put my camera away. Vero would be proud.
Purgatory itself—small, tight, a little hidden—was as it always is. My favorite runs aren’t necessarily the gnarliest, but the ones that feel like a secret you don’t want to share. The first time my girls’ dad, who grew up snowboarding here, took me down Purgatory, I caught some air off the lip of Hell’s Crossing, and I thought, ‘yep, I’m a snowboarder.’ I always go back.
It felt amazing to be at Jay. Words never do it justice. At one point, I was taking photos, and a mom passed me with two little ones in tow, cheering them on with an impressive rendition of Katy Perry’s ‘Roar.’ My youngest’s favorite too when she was that age. I joined in. That’s Jay. I thought about how lucky I am to have raised my kids here from when they were babies, to have gotten to know the bones of this place as a snowboarder, a trail runner, and a mom.
After receiving an impressive season total of 398″, with a summit base depth still holding at 40″, Jay has plenty of terrain still alive depending on aspect and elevation. Pond skimming is scheduled for next Saturday, April 18, and while many Vermont hills wrap up this week, the Jet traditionally spins well into May.
Jay Peak Trail Map
NOAA Forecast
Current Conditions
