Summary:  SKI Magazine ranked Smugglers Notch (“Smuggs”) the #1 family ski trip destination in America.  It definitely tops our list as the best family ski resort in the east, and puts itself in elite company with the ambience it provides and family orientation. 

On paper, one may look at the acreage totaling just over 1,000 acres and conclude that Smuggs doesn’t stack up against the western resorts.  If you’re looking for Vail-like terrain or Whistler-like vertical, you don’t find it here.  But Smuggs 2,600+ feet of vertical rivals several rockies resorts, and is a very good choice when it comes to family destinations.

Smuggler’s Notch was for a long time known as the “other” side of the more popular Stowe.  Smuggs, however, create a niche for itself in the family market – offering excellent ski schools and trail variety.  Smuggs was also given an inherent advantage – room for much more mountainside lodging – that Stowe has been trying hard to catch up to in recent years.

Combine good terrain with history (the name is derived from smuggling good through a mountain notch in older times, and the former leader of IBM built it in to what it is today) and you have a great eastern destination.  The only downfall seems to be the lift system – Smuggs relies on the old, slow, 2-person lifts to shuttle you up the mountain.  Fortunately, crowds are usually manageable and a 3-minute wait in line seems to be the extreme.

Lodging Choices:  Condos with easy access to the lifts dot the landscape at Smuggs.  A stretch from the Highlands Hill to Village area contains many lodging choices, all basically ski-in, ski-out.  The Village area – east, central, and west, include more choices as well.  We believe a large selection of ski-in, ski-out lodging is a key feature for families, and Smuggs achieves that.

Terrain / Highest Elevation / Vertical Drop:  1,000 / 3,600 feet / 2,600 feet

Activities for Non-Skiers:  The Village at Smugglers Notch offers a quaint shopping area and restaurants.  Around the mountain, Stowe can offer a sightseer a good day’s worth of activities.  Stowe is 20 minutes away of the pass is open. Several historic sites are within a short drive of the area.

Ski School.  The ski school at Smuggs is known for its quality of instruction and focus on development.  Kids as young as 2 ½ can ski, and snowboarding can start at 4.  Prices range from $50 for a 3-hour lesson to $110 for an undiscounted full-day rate.  Group family lessons are also available for each member of the family at the same time.  Rates are very competitive when compared to the western resorts.  Most vacation packages include a portion of or discount on ski lessons.

Day Care:  Treasures daycare offers professional staff to watch kids ages 6 weeks to 3 years.  Starting at 2 ½, a portion of ski lesson can be mixed in to the day.  Daycare rates are in the $72/day range.

Getting there:  Smugglers Notch is driving distance from New York (6 hours) and Boston (4 hours).  For those who want to fly, the nearest airport is Burlington, which will place you about 45 minutes from the resort village. 

Insider Tip:  Smuggler’s Notch is made for families.  If you are looking for a night out, complete with drinks and nightlife, head to Stowe.