Smugglers Notch Resort – Top Family Vacations in VT
Smugglers Notch resort is among top ski destinations in Vermont. Voted number one for family programs by a Ski Magazine’s reader survey, this resort offers great terrain, including the only triple black diamond in the East, unbeatable views, great deals on lift tickets, and a variety of programs so that everyone can have plenty of fun. The only disadvantage is the long drive, if you leave in the tri-state area.
- Smugglers Notch resort in Vermont
I visited Smugglers Notch resort during the 2008/2009 ski season, and I admit – it is a viable alternative to some high-priced ski resorts in Vermont. Of course, Smuggs is proud to offer one of the best family-oriented resorts in northern Vermont; however, there are still many options for adrenaline-craving adults. Three big mountains and 1000 acres of terrain provide plenty of opportunities to introduce beginners to the sport, keep intermediates busy, and challenge advanced skiers.
Morse Mountain is an ideal launching pad for newbies. Unlike some resorts that mix beginner trails with intermediate and even advanced terrains, Smugglers’ Notch ski resort maintains a whole mountain for beginners only. Morse offers plenty of wide and gentle trails for practicing your first turns. The only drawback is the long lift lines on the weekends. Once you or your kids are ready to graduate and take on steeper slopes, you can take Midway from Morse towards Madonna and Sterling Mountains. (If you snowboard, take a pair of ski poles – the trail is picturesque, but awfully flat!)
Since I am not a beginner, my original goal was to explore the advanced terrain at Smugglers’ Notch ski resort. After spending a day skiing on Madonna and Sterling Mountains, I can state with confidence – and various parts of my body support it – that the ski trails can make you sweat.
If you are not in a mood to test your health insurance, then stick around “E,” a ski lift that serves intermediate terrain off Madonna mountain. An intermediate skier and snowboarder will have an enormous amount of fun trying out diverse and not overly challenging terrain. Short lines at the E ski lift are another advantage; you will not squander time waiting to get on the lift.
- Smugglers Notch family resort in Vermont
But you can only ski on the blue trails for so long; eventually, the laws of natural progression call for a bit more adrenaline. First, brace yourself because there might be extremely long lift lines serving the advanced trails. Second, don’t forget a helmet and a camera. You will want to photograph some of the best mountain views in the entire East, and you will need a helmet to prevent injuries associated with often icy slopes, moguls, and trees.
Lastly, the best part; you don’t have to break the bank to afford a winter vacation at Smugglers’ Notch resort. Besides multiple programs for kids, they have reasonable lift ticket prices, considering the huge range of terrain and the multiple options for all skill levels. For example, a one-day adult lift ticket costs $66 during a holiday season or $52 for a half day. That is a significant amount of money, but you would pay up to $90 at some other popular resorts. Alternatively, if you’re a beginner, you can buy the Morse-Mountain-only ticket for $44, thereby only paying for what you use.
At the end of the day, there are many restaurants at the resort—and, of course, a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream shop to replenish burnt calories. If you desire a greater range of cuisine, then hop in a car, start the engine, and visit nearby Montreal. Yes, it is that far from NY and that close to Canada.
