Where is Smuggler's Notch?
Smugglers Notch (aka "Smuggs") is in the Green Mountains, and near Burlington VT in the New England countryside of "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 summer, fall, and winter. Smuggs is especially known for family snow holidays, with three interconnected mountains, and has often been voted a top Family Ski Resort. Autumn visitors will find the lowest rates.
What's special about Smugglers Notch for families?
Smugglers Notch 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 center for wee ones from 6 weeks of age.
In winter, learning to ski is a major focus; even toddlers can get started, on the Wonder Carpet lift at the TREASURES child care center. Downhillers will find challenging runs as well. There's also 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. The FunZone is a giant bubble that houses a Bouncy House, ping pong, air hockey, arcade games, kiddie area, inflatable structures to climb on, 22-foot slide, obstacle course, mini golf, volleyball, basketball...
FamilyFun Magazine Winter Carnival: in late February, a day of music and live entertainment. throughout the afternoon's festivities.
Mountain Massage Center: for grownups, niceties such as Hot Stone Reflexology, Ayurvedic Massage, etc.
In summer too family fun is guaranteed, with 8 heated pools, four waterslides, a wate rpark with slides and cannons; skateboard park; and activities from ziplines to "via ferrata", disc golf, geo-caching, "digglering", plus kayaking, hiking, and just about anything else you can think of. Read about Summer at Smugglers Notch, including Summerfest packages.
Fall is a great time for mountain hiking, spectacular fall foliage, bargain rates; family activities such as scavenger hunt, bonfire sing-along, nature trek. One outdoor pool stays open into September, then guests switch to an indoor pool. Try fly-casting clinics, or SegRide Tours, at an extra charge.
Infant care, kids programs and two teen centers are open until Columbus Day. After that date, in-condo evening babysitting services can be arranged for guests.
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 ferries guests around.
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, packages combines lodging, lift tickets, daily snow sport lessons, 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 smugglers' hideaway-- twice. During the early 1800's, the U.S. Congress placed an embargo on British imports; goods were then 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.
Things to keep in mind about Smugglers Notch:
- always check for packages and promotions. Look for best savings in June and Fall.
- 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.
- check out Smugglers Notch in summertime
- 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
