With three big mountains for skiing and snowboarding and a selection of activities encompassing arts and crafts classes to ziplining, Smugglers’ Notch Resort in northern Vermont has family fun wrapped up. On the slopes, families can rest assured that each member will improve their winter snowsports technique with a program that is right for each individual; in fact, the resort fully guarantees its instructional programs or the lesson portion of the individual’s vacation package will be refunded. Over $1 million in new snowmaking enhancements will top off popular trails already blessed by the more than 300 inches of snow bestowed on average by Mother Nature each winter season. A commitment to a quality vacation experience is one reason Smugglers’ has been selected as #1 for family programs by the readers of SKI Magazine for 14 years.
Smugglers’ Snow Sport University offers instruction for children beginning at age three in both skiing and snowboarding (younger children can have their first taste of skiing at the resort’s child care center beginning at age 2 ½). Ski school programs are broken down into age groups that make it easy for children to learn and have fun with their peers: 3-5, 6-10, 11-15 and 16-17. Smugglers’ offers full-day instructional camps for children ages 3-15, with afternoon programs that feature science exploration, magic, and music. For ages 6 and up, two-hour group lessons are also available.
Children in the full-day instruction programs capture their on-mountain fun with a Flaik gps tracking device that records their total vertical, trail route, maximum speed and number of miles during the ski and ride day. At the end of the day, an individual log-in allows review, “a great way to initiate family conversations and relive the day’s experiences,” notes Snow Sport University director Harley Johnson.
New this season, young adults ages 16-20 of intermediate or advanced ski and ride ability can enjoy a guided mountain tour while learning to read snow conditions and terrain with technique and skills tips picked up along the way. Afternoon sessions include ice climbing, backcountry snowshoeing, winter outdoor survival skills and more. Two teen centers give teens their own space in the evenings for Internet access, Wii, Xbox 360 and more.
Adults have lots to choose from, too. In addition to two-hour group lessons, Smugglers’ offers a daily Mountain Experience four-hour adult camp, a twice weekly women’s clinic, and private lessons.
Off the slopes, doing things together as a family at Smugglers’ is easy, with choices that include airboard sledding, bingo, snow tubing, family entertainment, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and a zip line canopy tour that offers views of the snow-covered mountains on a thrilling ride between tree platforms.
Smugglers' is widely renowned for its quality family programming and beautiful setting in Vermont's northern Green Mountains less than an hour from Burlington. Club Smugglers' winter packages offer value with ski-and-stay, children's instruction and family instruction options and include mountainside lodging, daily alpine lift tickets, cross-country and snowshoe trail passes, and numerous activities and entertainment for families and adults. Package pricing starts at $115/adult and $85/youth (ages 3-17) per night. For more information on a Smugglers' vacation please call 1-877-929-9609 and visit Smugglers' website at www.smuggs.com/mkids.
