Smugglers Notch Vermont family skiing

Smugglers’ Notch in Vermont is the place to go with your young family of skiers. This northern Vermont resort knows how to entertain kids from small to tall – with some of the best lesson programs and kids learn-to-ski camps in the ski biz. Exciting news for Smuggs in 2026, new ownership is Bear Den Partners, who own and operate Burke Mountain in Vermont, with current ownership – The Stritlzer family of 3 decades, staying on as a stakeholders/shareholders. This venture could bring much-needed capital investment to Smuggs slopes, maybe some new lifts to replace the aging double chairs!

Smugglers’ Notch is award-winning when it comes to activities for families – on snow and off, day and into the night. The slopeside village provides a resort setting ideal for your week’s stay, with tons of condos. The well-oiled, cheery ski and snowboard instructors at The Snowsports University will have your whole family learning to turn in no time. Mascots Mogul Mouse and Billy Bob Bear will make you smile all the while.

The skiing on three interconnected mountains is currently served by old-fashioned fixed-grip double chairs (1963 vintage Hall chairs) so Smuggs’ is not fancy but it’s very family friendly. Morse at the Village base is beginner-oriented while upper mountains: Sterling offers more intermediate and Madonna has some serious Kick A terrain plus fantastic scenery from the summit of nearby Stowe, even Lake Champlain on a clear day. Exciting all-natural terrain at Smuggs on Madonna includes Freefall, Robins Robin, and FIS to name a few super steep, gritty, authentic ski runs.

Fun fact, Smuggs could easily connect with Stowe, across Sterling Pond at the summit, over to Spruce Peak, but Stowe is now owned by Vail Resorts – big publicly traded corporation – so that’s doubtful. Bribe a local with a beer to smuggle you into the backside “Back Bowls” of Smuggs from atop Sterling into the trees (not quite like Vail’s Back Bowls – more woodsy, earthy glades) that bring you back into the Notch from Sterling.

Lodging at Smugglers is mostly condo-style, with condominium buildings sprawled around the resort and up the slopes, ranging from the 1960s to more modern and contemporary. Smuggs’ lodging is managed by Wyndham. Ask for a newer condo, preferably ski-in ski- out near Morse Mountain chairlift and the Village.

Smuggs’ Dining, there’s Hearth and Candle and Morse Mountain Grille, in the Village, Martels at the Red Fox down the Mountain Road, Lot 6 Brewery, Full Send Pizza, The Cupboard in Jeffersonville, and more…all family friendly. You can visit a Vermont winery – Boyden’s Winery, Smugglers Notch Distillery, and Vermont Maple Outlet nearby to taste some local flavors.

Après ski at Smuggs is very family-oriented, The Fun Zone has indoor games, there’s an indoor pool, and there’s sledding, glow-tubing at night, and bonfires with the mascots, pizza party with the mascots, and weekly torchlight parades. Admission to the Fun Zone and pools, and special themed activities may have an upcharge for Smuggs’ lodging guests and lift ticket purchasers.
Smugglers Notch Stats:
Vertical Drop: 2,610’
Skiable Terrain: 310 acres plus 1,000 acres of back bowls
8 Lifts (including 5 fixed grip double chairs), 78 Trails
62% snowmaking
Founded in 1956