Smuggs Apres-Ski Nostalgia

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The Mountain Road here in Stowe is known for its après ski establishments! A skiing buddy of mine, the late John Fox, had been on the ski patrol at Glen Ellen before joining the Mount Mansfield Ski Patrol. He always said his wife couldn’t understand why it took him longer to get back to his home in South Burlington from Stowe than it had from Glen Ellen!

But other ski areas have memorable après ski spots as well. So where was the Salty Dog? That would be in Jeffersonville just off the Smuggs’ mountain road. Norma Stancliffe was quick to identify Smuggs as the ski area near the Salty Dog. She says when she quit her state job in 1974, she took a job as waitress at the Salty Dog. Longtime Smuggs’ ski instructor Glen Findholt also had the answer and says, “I logged quite a few hours over quite a few years” at the Salty Dog!

I also heard from Nancy Rock who remembers the Salty Dog Thursday Happy Hours, “25 cent drafts going up 5 cents per half hour until they reached 50 cents per draft!” And she also commented on that big April snowstorm when she was in college, “Smuggs stayed open until May – was tough to take final exams that year! choice between taking your final or skiing!!”

Glen also pointed out that the Salty Dog was built and operated by Wayne Roberts. In the late 1960s Wayne and his wife moved to Vermont and established the Red Fox Ski Dorm in Jeffersonville then added the Salty Dog in the 1970s. Roberts also developed another Smuggs après ski spot, the Brewster River Yacht Club. That establishment has continued although the name seems to evolve as it has changed ownership, The Brewski or the Brewster River Pub & Brewery. My understanding is that it’s currently being renovated again. Wayne Roberts passed away last fall at the age of 79.

Going back to when Smuggs was called Madonna, the après ski options were more limited. We used to stop at the Haus and Heim Ski Lodge which really wasn’t a bar. The Lodge was run by an older couple Adolph “Al” Soucek and his wife Vera. They left their native Czechoslovakia after WWII and eventually immigrated to Burlington, Vermont. There they established a restaurant and catering business called The Continental. In the late 1960s they added the Haus and Heim. Al and Vera always seemed a little overwhelmed by the influx of beer drinking skiers that filled the small bar space on weekends. But they were always good sports as we drank and watched The Killy Challenge on the TV!

In the 1970s the après options expanded. As mentioned earlier, the Salty Dog came on the scene. Marvin Crozier and Karen Cutler renovated an old barn and opened a bar called Mateymuckers. They featured entertainment including John Cassel and Downpour. In researching this column, I found out that Mateymucker is an Australian term for “close friends.” I never knew that when I was drinking there. But the name and I assume the ownership changed in 1973 to Jefferson City. I have no information on that ownership.

In 1974 the Haus and Heim came under new management and the name changed to L’Auberge Chez Moustache with Horst Thomke as the chef, manager, and entertainment! Thomke was an accomplished pianist and entertainer. A fire in August of 1975 totally destroyed the building, but they were able to save Thomke’s piano.

Thomke would take over the building that had been Mateymuckers or Jefferson City and start the Chez Moustache restaurant and bar. This became a “go to” spot on the Smuggs mountain road. Norma Stancliffe got recruited by Thomke to be a bartender at the Moustache. She wasn’t sure she was qualified, but with the help of the bartenders “bible” and some coaching, she took the job. She must have done well because she would make the move over to Stowe bartending at Whiskers, Three Green Doors, and the Shed! Eventually she ran her own bar called Ladies Invited.

Horst Thomke died in 1981 at the age of 48. His wife Barbara Thomke says, “I managed to keep it aloft myself (with good staff, of course) for another year after Horst’s passing and then sold it.” A special thank you goes to Barbara for her help with this column. If you ever ski Smuggs you can find a Thomke ski trail near the top of Sterling in memory of Horst.

There’s one more watering hole on the Smugg’s side I feel I should mention. That would be The Bucket in the old Smugglers Notch Inn. I never actually used it as an après ski stop, however it does hold a place in my heart. In 1976-77 I was living in Smugglers Village and commuting to Essex Junction. On snowy nights coming back from working late, getting up the hill from Jeffersonville on 108 could be a challenge, particularly if it hadn’t been plowed or sanded. The Bucket became a convenient waiting place until the road was plowed. Quite often there would be quite a few of us waiting and yes, drinking, until someone announced that the state plow had just headed up the hill!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I ski?

You don't always have to travel abroad to enjoy the thrill of downhill skiing. Skiing is available in many places around the globe, offering both beginner and expert alike great opportunities. Here are some top spots to go skiing:

• Austria - Salzburg
• Switzerland - St Moritz
• Germany - Kitzbuehel
• France – Chamonix
• Italy - Cortina d'Ampezzo
• Canada - Whistler Blackcomb
• New Zealand - Wanaka
• Australia - Perisher Valley
• USA - Vail/Breckenridge
• Sweden - Arvika
• Norway - Oslo
• Finland - Kemi
• Russia - Sochi
• Denmark - Holstebro
• Iceland - Akureyri

What should I look at when buying skis?

Consider these factors when looking for skis:

• It is important to consider the type of skiing that you are going to be doing. There are many types of skis, so it is important to choose the right pair for you.
• Your skill level. Beginner skiers will want to look for easier skis to control, while more experienced skiers will want skis that offer more speed and performance.
• Conditions you'll be skiing in. If you plan to ski deep powder, you'll need a different kind of ski than if it were on groomed trails.
• Your budget. Skis come in all price ranges, so make sure you choose one that is within your budget.

You can narrow down your choices to find the perfect pair of skiing boots by considering all these factors.

What is Gortex? And why is it appropriate for skiing or snowboarding jackets or pants?

Gortex is a fabric used frequently in ski and snowboarding jackets and pants. It is also very breathable and will keep you comfortable, even when you sweat. Gortex can also withstand extreme wear and tear.

Statistics

• T&Cs: All loans are $0 down and 0% APR (epicpass.com)
• According to tradition (though now subject to debate), in about 1860 Norwegian Sondre Nordheim tied wet birch roots around his boots from the toe straps back around the boots' heels to anchor them firmly to the skis. (britannica.com)
• This is one of the best ski resorts in the U.S. if you're learning to ski or snowboard — nearly 60 percent of its runs are dedicated to beginners and intermediates. (travelandleisure.com)
• Advanced, expert and extreme trails make up just over half of the mountain's offerings, leaving another 48% for beginner and intermediate options. (travel.usnews.com)
• Based on the degree of difficulty, the routine is scored on form and technique (50 percent), takeoff and height (20 percent), and landing (30 percent). (britannica.com)

External Links

[TAG78]

• Colorado Skiing & Snowboarding | Breckenridge Resort

[TAG80]

• Snowplow – Wikipedia


• Cross-country skiing – Wikipedia

[TAG83]

• Telluride Ski & Golf – Premier Mountain Resort North America

How To

Top 10 Ski Resorts Around the World

Skiing is an activity which requires equipment, weather conditions, money, and time. A ski resort is the perfect place for anyone who loves skiing. It's a great way to have fun, meet new friends, and discover beautiful places.

There are many ski resorts all over the world that you can visit and enjoy your time. We've listed ten that are internationally known. If you live near any of these places, you should visit them because they are great.

1. Val d'Isere - France
2. Whistler Blackcomb - Canada
3. St Anton am Arlberg - Austria
4. Tignes - Switzerland
5. La Plagne - France
6. Kitzbuhel - Austria
7. Breuil-Cervinia, Italy
8. Alta Badia - Italy
9. Garmisch-Partenkirchen - Germany
10. Chamonix Mont Blanc - France

Resources:

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