Smuggs for Young Families: A Perfect Ski Trip with Baby

Smuggs for Young Families: A Perfect Ski Trip with Baby

February 27, 2018

  Smugglers’ Notch, more often referred to as “Smuggs,”  is well-known as a top family ski destination in Vermont, and is often found on the Top 10 lists for family ski destinations in the world. I’ve mentioned this friendly fact to multitudes of families planning ski vacations to Vermont, but have never had the firsthand … Read More

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A Family Winter Getaway to Mount Snow

A Family Winter Getaway to Mount Snow

February 21, 2018

As a lifelong skier and nearly lifelong Vermonter, it’s natural to assume that I’ve traversed every ski area in Vermont. I grew up skiing at places like Stratton, Bromley, and Magic, and later spent many days at Stowe, Sugarbush, Smugglers’ Notch, Bolton, and Burke. Until recently, I had never skied at Mount Snow. I’m not … Read More

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Weathering Vermont: The Magic Transformation of a Ski Weekend

Weathering Vermont: The Magic Transformation of a Ski Weekend

February 16, 2018

Our motley crew of 14 covered plenty of ground over a ski weekend at Okemo! Vermonters call it the January Thaw and it’s notorious, wreaking havoc on the carefully honed snow base that ski areas begin nurturing in November. After a couple of weeks of frigid, blustery weather after the holidays, the mercury began to … Read More

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Ski, Baby, Ski: Getting Back on the Mountain After Birth

Ski, Baby, Ski: Getting Back on the Mountain After Birth

February 13, 2018

I huffed and puffed and my legs were like Jell-O. I still had half the run to make, but had to stop repeatedly to catch my breath and recenter. This was hard and exhausting, but also incredibly rewarding. I was so happy to be on the mountain, and smiling so much I almost starting laughing … Read More

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A Mother-Daughter Mental Health Day at Mount Snow

A Mother-Daughter Mental Health Day at Mount Snow

January 29, 2018

It started with a series of texts. “I’m taking a mental health day next week.” “Next Thursday.” “Just letting u know.” I was traveling on assignment in Finland’s frozen Lapland when Stella, my fifteen-year-old daughter, ping-ed me from the other side of the world. She’d been studying like crazy lately and needed a break. This … Read More

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Ski Vermont Fifth Grade Passport Challenge

Ski Vermont Fifth Grade Passport Challenge

January 3, 2018

Twenty alpine ski resorts, one mom and two kids, and roughly 100 days between now and spring. With one Ski Vermont Fifth Grade Passport in hand, our goal now strikes me as almost comically ambitious: to ski every one of the resorts in the passport. From Jay Peak near the Canadian border to Mount Snow … Read More

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Playing Hooky on Stratton Mountain

Playing Hooky on Stratton Mountain

November 29, 2017

Ever since our first family ski vacation back in February 2014, when my three girls and I surprised my husband with a visit to Stowe, we’ve made it a tradition to hit the slopes for his birthday. We haven’t always managed to time our travels to the actual day, but looking back, we’ve celebrated Daddy … Read More

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Families that Ski Together, Stay Together

Families that Ski Together, Stay Together

November 29, 2017

How to trick your teen into talking, and other family wisdom, from the All Mountain Mamas Parenthood will surprise even the most prepared of us. It’s full of ups and downs and all-arounds, and sometimes the simplest things like going to the grocery store can feel like a big deal with the family in tow. … Read More

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Is It Winter Yet? Looking Forward to Family Fun at Smuggs

Is It Winter Yet? Looking Forward to Family Fun at Smuggs

October 31, 2017

Smuggs holds a special place in my family’s collective memory because it is where my younger son Teddy really learned to ski. It was 2011, and his brother Tommy, then eight, couldn’t get enough time on the mountain. My husband Matt had also just learned to ski and was also loving it, while I had … Read More

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