31 Things To Do at Smugglers’ Notch Resort Vermont #Smuggs #Travel
There are so many great things to do at Smugglers’ Notch Resort Vermont that it’s hard to know what to pick first. There are dozens of great activities for winter warriors, and even more fun family centred excursions. You will want to do them all. Your kids will also want to do them all. It’s not unlike traveling to Disney. You simply have to prioritize. I mean life is full of hard choices, right? You can either stay long enough to tackle a bit of everything or come back repeatedly and discover new things every visit. Either way you will love your stay at Smuggs.
31 Fun Activities at Smugglers’ Notch, Resort Vermont
We had a chance to visit Smugglers’ Notch Resort this winter and we had a fabulous time. The northern Vermont resort is one of the most family friendly spots we have ever visited. Plus there’s no end to what you can do while visiting this beautiful friendly resort Vermont destination. Preregistration is recommended for many of the events and activities here. Check the RIG (resort information guide) for full details regarding timing, prices and age limitations as well.
- Ski – the skiing is excellent here. So many great runs and three mountains to choose from – there are beautiful meandering runs like Meadowlark and Garden Path (which is not a cakewalk – there’s a good first pitch there – and the only triple black diamond in the east. That is to say there is something for every single skier in your family or your group.)
- Snowboard (there are many activities related to this and there’s also a night school for boarding and jibbing. Such a great spot to carve – memories will be made here that last forever.)
- CIDER WALK – The Nordic Centre at Smugglers’ Notch Resort Vermont is the place to sign up for several different things We signed up for the Cider Walk and joined our tour guide at the Nordic Centre one day after a full ski lesson and ski university (for the kids) We strapped on some snowshoes and hiked through the forest for about an hour then headed back to the Nordic Centre where we had some apple cider to finish the excursion off. There’s an extra fee for the cider walk. There’s also a Smores and Snowshoes walk that sounded pretty fantastic too. This was excellent physical activity too. After skiing most of the day we were exhausted and still managed to get through the snowshoe hike. But I could feel it the next day for sure. The guide we had knew what he was doing and he was pretty good with our kids too. He had my youngest engaged regarding trolls living beneath bridges. This was a lot of fun for all of us.
- Take a Cat Trax Ride. We did this for the first time ever and it was so much fun! Plus Cat Trax is offered several nights a week. Click through the link to read more about our Cat Trax ride up Madonna Mountain. It is one of the coolest things we have ever done as a family together. Twice a week the Cat Trax Express climbs vertically up the mountain all the way to the very top. It’s a heated ride up the side of the mountain. There is room for 12 inside the cab. The Cat Trax Express is relatively new at Smuggs. Be warned children must be six and up and the cost is $49 per person. This is a fun ride though. You must try it at least once!
- I-did-a-sled – Fun Family entertainment. This was an all ages family friendly competition and it was included as part of the Resort Information Guide (RIG). No extra fee. With cardboard, paint, streamers and duct tape you and one other partner have to design and build a sled in an hour. Then you launch the sleds off of Sir Henry’s learning area. So much fun! Ours didn’t travel too far and it was a blistering cold night but building it was fun and the kids enjoyed trying to race it down the beginner’s hill.
- Snowshoe – There’s a Soup and Snowshoes excursion and a Snowshoe lesson winter survival trek too. There are snowshoe hikes and a back country snow shoe tour too. There’s an extra fee for these activities. Highly recommend trying one of these snowshoe activities. The snowshoes are very current and the guide knows what he is doing.
- Cross Country ski There are cross country group and private lessons too.
- Swim – there are more than a couple of pools here. Each community has a community centre with an indoor pool and play zone. There’s also an all ages lap pool.
- Tubing – who doesn’t love tubing? It’s a great way to have some fun while not exerting yourself too much after a long day of skiing, or ski university.
- Ziplining – Arbortrek Zipline Canopy Adventure Park – open both summer and winter. This is just a couple of minutes from the entry of Smuggs. Check http://www.smuggs.com/arbortrek/ for more information. Daily at 10 am and 1 p.m. Also an extra cost of about $100 US each. This lasts about 2 1/2 to 3 hours. 8 ziplines, two sky bridges, and 2 rappels. I’d love to do this but maybe when the weather is a bit warmer. They run all winter and summer too.
- Family Karaoke – Why not?
- Kid’s Night Out – this is something I wish we could have taken advantage of much earlier. Call Treasures Nursery and Child Care and find out when they have a Kid’s Night Out scheduled to happen. I wish like mad that we had learned how to ski earlier and when the kids were younger. Treasures Nursery is amazing. We took an hour one day and rode over to visit the Nursery and talk with the supervisor there while taking pictures. Such a great space and a reliable staff with which to leave your little people. You can also book a babysitter for the evening. If you are booking your vacation time here make sure to call ahead so they can staff adequately and your child will be well looked after. I would have used this when the kids were small had I ever had the chance to visit Vermont back then. We only just discovered skiing in 2015.
- Ski University – Amazing. That’s all I have to say about this. My kids loved ski university. The staff were exceptional and might be some of the best I have ever encountered anywhere.
- Winter Walking – You don’t need any extra equipment for a good long walk in the snow. Explore the Notch. Good for ages 18 plus.
- Airboarding – there wasn’t enough snow for this to be operating when we were there during the unusually mild winter we just had but this is something we would do for sure. We’d return for this too. Age 12 and older. Helmets are required. Meet at Morse Highlands Lodge. If the upper Morse Highlands lift is not running then this is cancelled. Otherwise you access via the lift and the airboarding is done at Upper Morse Highlands All Terrain Park. Done on something that looks like a boogie board or inflatable sled. No prior experience is needed. We would return to try this also.
- Broomball – Age seven and up at the ice rink.
- Snowmobile Evening Tour – snowmobiling can be a lot of fun and a really enjoyable
- Kid’s Mini-Snowmobile – just what it sounds like. For ages 6-12. Must have a helmet and parent must be present. $27 each for a half hour ride.
- Dodgeball for Teens – there are quite a lot of fun activities that teens can join in when they aren’t skiing or snowboarding.
- Aqua Aerobics – stay fit while on vacation. This appeals to older relatives too.
- Skating located near the Nordic Centre. All ages outdoor ice skating and you can rent skates too for a small fee.
- Funzone – bouncy house, min golf and so much more. Don’t miss this!
- Yoga for Every Body – All ages at least once a week – preregister and wear workout gear. Good for alignment and balance necessary for skiing!
- Fireworks – On Thursday nights there is a TOP of Morse Cat Trax Express fireworks show.
- Character Dance Party – often in the Meeting House. Boogie with Billy Bob or Mambo with Mogul Mouse.
- Snow Art – there are several arts and crafts kinds of activities scheduled throughout the week.
- Women’s ski clinics – NEXT TIME!!! I am ready for ski clinics now. I actually really loved the nearly private lessons though. I had private lessons almost every day but one, when I shared with one other woman who had flown in with family from Puerto Rico! I am so ready to challenge myself next time.
- Mountain Massage Centre – WELL, of course there are several spa type treatments here too. Honestly that would be a very different vacation for me because the mountains and the people are the best features at this place.
- Beaver Pond Trek- take a hike and explore the wildlife. Learn a little about the history of the area too.
- Sugar on Snow Snowshoe Trek – We missed this, but let’s face it how many hours are there in a day. There are dozens of really fun snowshoe treks and when we return we will do this one.
- Hot Tubs – Located in pretty much all of the communities and in the resort community centre spaces that are central to each area.
PIN THIS FOR LATER – >
There’s more than enough for everyone to find something they love and embrace it at Smugglers’ Notch. I will return for the skiing and the people. Staff were exceptional with our kids.
If you are a beginning skier it wouldn’t hurt to read this post – Five Ski Gear Tips.
Smugglers’ Notch is also on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Follow hashtag #SMUGGS or #SMUGGSLOVE to read up on current conditions if you plan to go.
I was a media guest at Smugglers’ Notch this past winter. My accommodations and activities were all complimentary. My opinion is all my own and it is also truthful. We loved every moment of our stay.
14 Comments
Robin (Masshole Mommy)
I’ve been there, but not for a while. I need to get back next year!
Pam
Wow, after reading your post I want to go to Smugglers Notch! The cider walk sounds like fun and there are options for everyone in the family.
Liz Mays
Oh my gosh this sounds like the best place ever. I love the idea of building your own sled from cardboard! Even the indoor events sound fun!
Sarah Bailey
Oh wow what an amazing sounding place and so much to do! I definitely want to head there myself. x
Onica (MommyFactor)
Wow so many great activities to ebjoy while there. A great place to visit with family.
Amber NElson
How fun! Those are all great ideas of things to do in the winter there. I’d love to go!
Jeanine
Sounds like a lot of ideas and a lot of fun! We’ve never been to any place like this before. I would love to venture there in the winter time! Would be loads of fun!
Dawn McAlexander
I love visiting new places, and I have actually never been to Vermont. It looks like you guys had a wonderful vacation!
Carlee C
I absolutely would love to take my entire family to a place like this. We have never skied before, in fact none of my kiddos have seen real snow.
Seattle Travel Blogger
There are a great many ideas posted here.
NIce job on a nice-looking trip!
Toughcookiemommy
My boys would love to go snowboarding. Last year, my husband took them snow tubing and they had a blast. It’s a great place to enjoy lots of activities with the whole family.
Kelly Hutchinson
I have never heard of Smuggler’s Notch, but it looks super fun. The Cat Trax Ride looks like something my kids would enjoy.
Ann Bacciaglia
There is so much to do at Smugglers Notch. I have not been skiing in years. The kids would love to go on a vacation here.
Janell Poulette
You would never get bored there! I would spend a lot of time outside.