Smugglers Notch (aka "Smuggs") is near Burlington, Vermont, in the New England countryside of "snow-capped covered bridges, picture perfect clapboard homesteads, local country stores, and maple sugar house tours."
Nearest big cities are Montreal and Ottawa in Canada, and Boston Massachusetts, and NYC.
Smugglers Notch is open winter-summer-fall but is best known for family snow holidays, with three interconnected mountains. It's often been voted a top Family Ski Resort.
What's special about Smugglers Notch for families?
"Family" is the name of the game at Smugglers Notch, which dares to promise: "the most fun your children will ever have - we guarantee it."
Kids programs are extensive: see Smuggler's Notch Kids & Teen programs for what's available for different age groups, including two teen centers, and a 5400 sq. ft. slope-side child care centre for wee ones from 6 weeks of age.
In winter, Smugglers Notch offers lots beyond the downhill slopes: cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, tube sliding, sleigh rides, horse-riding, heated pool, snowmobile touring, daily bonfires, weekly fireworks, family games nights, FunZone, and more. Little kids get big attention: such as a Wonder Carpet lift for ages of 1.5 to 3, at the TREASURES child care center.
The FunZone is a giant bubble that houses a Bouncy House; ping pong, air hockey, arcade games; kiddie area, with "sandbox"; inflatable structures to climb on, 22-foot slide; obstacle course; mini golf, volleyball, and basketball.
In summer too family fun is guaranteed, and includes 8 heated pools, four waterslides, water playgrounds. Read about Summer at Smugglers Notch, including Summerfest packages.
Where do we stay, at Smugglers Notch?
Lodging at Smugglers Notch is condominiums: studios with kitchenettes; one or two-bedroom condo's with full kitchen;
and three, four-or even five-bedroom homes. An on-demand resort shuttle takes you where you want to go.
Packages at Smugglers Notch
Packages are the way to go. SummerFest package includes a host of activities -(see summer at Smuggs. Autumnfest bundles lodgings and activities too, with lowest prices of the year. In winter, Club Smugglers Adventure package combines lodging, lift tickets, daily snow sport lesson, visits to FunZone, free child care, free equipment rental for first-timers, and more.
What about that "Smugglers Notch" name?
Yes, this area was a hideaway-- twice. During the early 1800's, the U.S. Congress placed an embargo on British imports: so goods
were shipped to Canada and sneaked down the "Long Trail"
through Smugglers' Notch, which had large caves. A century later, during the Prohibition years, the caves were ideal for storing alcohol at proper temperatures.
Things to keep in mind about Smugglers Notch:
- always check for packages and special promotions. Look for savings in June and Autumn.
- Smuggs can be a very busy place, with many scheduled activities happening at once: make sure you know where you're going and when! A "Family Adventure Planner" helps sort it all out, for different ages.
- see the Smugglers Notch site
- see the Smugglers Notch page at Kidz'n'Snow for detailed tips about winter visits
- check Trip Advisor for opinions from other visitors-- just enter "Smugglers Notch" in the searchbox
- Check prices at Smugglers Notch
This brief profile is meant to introduce this resort to family vacationers; please note that the writer has not visited in person. Always check resort sites for updates.
*photo courtesy of Smuggler's Notch
