Smuggler's Notch Ski Resort
At the center of Vermont’s rugged Green Mountains, in over 4000 acres of verdant forest, lies Smuggler’s Notch Ski Resort. Just 4 miles south along windy route 108 you’ll find Smuggler’s Notch itself, a narrow gorge which was a popular route for cattle smugglers in days gone by. The pass is closed throughout the winter months, so it is only possible to reach the resort from the Jeffersonville direction. The resort has a big reputation as a top family-friendly destination: kids of all ages are welcome and very well provided for, as there’s lots to do from morning till night for your young charges.
Approaching Smuggler’s Notch from the north, you first reach the main village. This is the heart of the resort, with ski-school, child-care center, ski-rental, restaurants, bars and condo accommodation. The village lies under Morse mountain, at the bottom of several wide ski runs. If you continue further along the 108, heading south, you’ll find the second part of the resort, the Madonna/Sterling base area. Here there’s a big parking lot, and two chairlifts which serve Madonna and Sterling peaks, both higher than Morse mountain. The two centers are connected by ski trails, if these are unpassable a free shuttle service between the two is available.
The staff of the child care center, Treasures, provide warm and welcoming care for young children. The ski school runs a whole range of skiing lessons for older kids, braketed by age group. Away from the skiing, there’s a brilliant Fun Zone, an indoor area with inflatable slides and structures for active play, plus ping-pong tables, foozball tables and game consoles. Also very popular is the indoor swimming pool with hot tubs. Teenagers can hang out at either of the two teen clubs, both no-go areas for parents.
Beginner skiers can sign on for skiing lessons at the ski-school, situated at the top end of the village at the foot of Morse mountain’s slopes. When you’re able to graduate to the slopes proper, you’ll be very pleased to find that one of the two chairs rising from the village is the half-speed Mogul Mouse Magic lift, very beginner-friendly, being very easy to catch and exit. The double chair gives access to over 10 gradual green runs, all gentle and forgiving slopes.
Intermediates and Experts head away from the hoards of beginners on Morse Mountain to the second ski area, the Madonna and Sterling Mountains. Both peaks offer numerous blue and black trails, with spectacular views over the Green Mountains. Smuggs is the home of the only triple black diamond in the East, named the Black Hole, an exciting line swooping down through trees.
The resort has three snow parks, and a small half-pipe. The small park on Morse suits those with limited experience. When you’re bored with this, make for the half-pipe on Madonna mountain, or the Zone of Sterling.
A wide range of ski-in ski-out condo accommodation is available, situated around the village, with many units overlooking ski trails. Nightlife options in the village are bit bit limited, with a small number of restaurants and bars. There’s more choice in nearby Jeffersonville.
Best Ski Resorts‘ (from 100BestEverything) rating (out of 5 stars) 2-expert,3-intermediate, 4-beginner.
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