WAITSFIELD, Vermont — Following the Mad River Valley’s momentous “peak” foliage moment, at 10:10 am on October 10, area experts made a bold prediction for the upcoming winter’s snowfall. Based on scientific, and instinctive, principles, representatives from the Mad River Valley predicted this winter’s snowfall to amount to 294 inches ??“ or more.

Moments after the countdown clock to the Peak Day moment ran down and the Peak gong sounded, representatives from the Valley’s world-renowned ski areas, Sugarbush and Mad River Glen, shook the foliage tree as area children and other spectators watched. The leaves fell into a sap bucket and were used in the complex equation.

“We really see our Peak Day event as the fall version of Groundhog Day, so we wanted to add a predictive element to the proceedings,” notes Susan Roy, executive director of the Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce. “Now don’t call the Farmer’s Almanac quite yet with our number, but you can be sure that we are sending a clear message that we foresee this winter to yield great snowfall.”

The formula began with the date, 10, plus the temperature at the top of Sugarbush, which was 30 degrees. Add to that the number of hard frosts received at the base of Mad River Glen, 2, and multiply the total by the number of leaves in the sap bucket. With 7 leaves in the sap bucket, the total snowfall added up to 294 inches.

“We’re confident that that number will stand,” shares Eric Friedman of Mad River Glen. “I didn’t see my shadow, so it’s got to be true.”

JJ Toland of Sugarbush added, “Based on the incontrovertible evidence provided by the Chamber’s Peak Day ceremony, Sugarbush has ordered a new, taller snow-measurement stake to accurately measure the heapings that will begin falling next month.”

For more information on the Mad River Valley, call the Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-82-VISIT or visit http://www.madrivervalley.com.

The Mad River Valley, home to ski resorts Sugarbush and Mad River Glen, offers visitors Historic Register villages, fine dining, quaint shops and four-season recreational opportunities that include hiking, biking, skiing, horseback riding, fishing and soaring.