Summary
Smuggs brings all the right tools to a family winter vacation - great terrain, tasty food, offslope activities, plus all the resort amenities supported by great people.
Rainy forecasts. Wind holds. A time change. Were the odds stacked against us on our long weekend at Smugglers’ Notch? Maybe. But none of these potential hiccups mattered once we arrived: The resort’s vibes are flawless. Here’s what Smuggs gets right.
Three Mountains of Adventure
Whether you, like me, have a cautious kid building their on-slope confidence or you’re looking to rip blacks all day long, Smugglers’ Notch delivers. Spread across three mountains (Morse, Sterling, and Madonna), the resort has plenty of room for everyone to find their groove without constantly crossing paths, so progression feels natural (and way less stressful).
My family kicked things off on Morse Mountain, the beginner mountain served by three chairs and a magic carpet. Its greens are both skill-strengthening and really fun, and several became instant family favorites (hi, Log Jam!). A few approachable blues offered my daughter a chance to level up and after a few laps on Snow Snake, she declared herself Sterling Mountain-ready.
Across the resort, Sterling is accessible via the Midway cat track from the top of Morse or a quick shuttle from the base. My 10-year-old was a little nervous, but any hesitation vanished the moment she hit Rum Runner. She beamed with pride when she finished the scenic cruiser, then immediately asked to do it again. And again.
With the middle mountain officially conquered, her eyes turned to Madonna Mountain. This expert playground still offers plenty for intermediates, and an aspirational triple-black diamond that captured my daughter’s imagination (though she’s saving it for another time!).
Smuggs’ layout makes progression feel effortless and watching my kid’s confidence grow run by run was easily the highlight of the trip. She loved studying the trail maps to plan her next run and I loved watching both her confidence and her navigation skills grow.
Top Notch Food Options
Another skill my daughter has mastered? Tracking down her next snack. Some of our favorite pit stops included waffles from the Waffle Cabin, complete with gold sprinkles in honor of local hero Mikaela Shiffrin, epic smashburgers from the Village Pizzeria (yes, pizzeria—just trust me), and the obligatory après-ski French onion soup from Morse Mountain Grille.
And while our usual ski day always involves hot chocolate, at Smuggs we switched things up with Ben & Jerry’s. When in the Vermont, right? With the smell of waffle cones drifting through the lodge, it’s basically impossible to resist.
For a change of scenery, a 1-minute drive takes you to Full Send Pizza and Provisions or Lot Six Brewing, and a short jaunt to Jeffersonville, the nearest town, offers even more dining options.
A Resort Experience
At the base of Morse Mountain sits the Village, the lively heart of the resort. Here you’ll find shops, restaurants, off-slope activities, and, perhaps more importantly, a wide range of walkable accommodations that make a ski getaway easy.
Because let’s be honest: staying steps from the lifts hits very differently than the daily slog of loading skis, boots, and endless gear into the car. It means slower mornings, lingering over coffee while the snow quietly falls, and the kind of easy, cozy resort rhythm that makes a ski trip feel like a true escape.
Lots of Off-Hill Fun
When the weather turns (as it did for us a few times!), FunZone 2.0 is the most valuable square footage on the mountain for families. It’s split into two sections: Ozone, accessible with a Daycation or SmuggsPass loaded on a Notch Card, and Go Zone, a pay-per-play area.
Ozone is a sprawling indoor playground filled with bouncy houses, ping-pong, air hockey, foosball, and more, plus a designated area for little ones complete with the cutest playhouse and smaller jump zones. Go Zone is geared toward bigger kids and teens, with an arcade, laser tag, and warrior courses. Oh, and did we mention that there’s also a pool and tubing? If your little ones somehow aren’t tired after a day on the slopes, they will be after this.
Beyond FunZone 2.0, Smuggs also offers a wealth of activities—from a science show and glow tubing to aqua fitness—so always check the comprehensive Smuggs app and website for anything that might interest your crew.
A Laid-Back Vibe
When my daughter spent a slightly outrageous amount of time choosing her waffle toppings, we were met with nothing but patience. When she was nervous about her first T-bar ride—a cannon event for any young skier—the liftie stepped in like a personal coach. And when she was hunting for the perfect hoodie to add to her growing collection, the shop staffer couldn’t have been kinder. The common thread? People here genuinely go out of their way to help.
In fact, while the terrain and family-friendly amenities at Smugglers’ Notch are all outstanding, it’s the people that make Smuggs truly special. That human touch is what will keep my family coming back for more…OK, and maybe also the Ben & Jerry’s.
Christine is a Montreal-based freelance writer who lives for wide-open blue groomers on bluebird days. She’s been skiing since she could walk and now spends her winters trying to pass that love on to her 9-year-old daughter. Off the slopes, she draws on her journalism degree and lifestyle media experience (Vita Daily, Rogers, Ricardo, and more) to create engaging lifestyle content for a diverse roster of clients. Christine is thrilled to share her family’s Vermont adventures and perspective as a ski family with you!
Smugglers’ is a wonderful family resort. My two girls “grew up” and learned to ski and ride there. Had them in the “Mommy and Daddy” ski program. They also learned to swim there and we hadseveral stay overs. Fond, memories. My wife and I are retired.Looking forward to new era at Smuggs’ with Burke next season.