Smugglers' Notch Resort

Just a note to respond to one other poster - you can get wonderful units if you book through the resort. In winter ask for Willows (the ski location is premier!!) Although we usually come for the great skiing and stay in Willows with its great ski 0n/ ski off, we visited Smuggs in July for a wonderful summer week. Our unit (also in the Willows) was beautiful and spotless. There is a 24 hour hotline that responds immediately should you need anything done in your condo or need additional kitchen items, etc. Our kids are older so don't do the wonderful camps that most kids love, as they prefer to do family activities with us. There is just too much to do in a week - we love the waterslides, kayaking, hiking, eating in Stowe, trips to Burlington, the Snowflake Bentley museum (small but interesting), the gondola ride to the top of Stowe, and driving up Toll Rd. and hiking to the top of Mt. Mansfield. We're headed back at the end of August for two more weeks and this time my brother and his family will join us. Can't wait!

We have gone 2 years in a row (last week in January). This year we decided to buy and we are just finalizing that process :)

We have 3 young children (5,3,2) and they LOVE Smuggs. The kids programs are amazing. Our oldest took ski lessons last year and snowboard this year. They have a great mini kids race on Thursday afternoon. All the participants get a cookie at the end. It is great seeing a hundred or so parents out with their camera's. Everyone is laughing and commenting on the cutest little people coming down the hill.

There are some nice restaurants. They are a bit pricey. We have not done the nicer ones yet since we have the kids with us. The resort does offer babysitting but a snow storm caused a problem there for us.

The daycare on site is amazing. The staff has been the same both years we have been there which gives us more confidence. They are mature (older :) and know how to deal with babies and the little ones. They have a little outdoor area for the kids to play in the snow and they have a neat snow table they fill up and bring inside for the kids to play with. The rooms are vary large and have lots of open space. The little crafts the kids do are great.

Both times we went we rented from the resort and the accommodations we OK. Owners that we talk to insist the owners units are nicer.

We love it and have made some great family memories. We look forward to going back for many years. ___________________________

edit 2/1/2010 We have since bought at the resort. The owner units are very nice compaired to the units we rented. Rent from owners if you can (instead of the resort) ... plus that saves you money :)

Stayed week 33 (August) first time in summer, had been there five times in winter. It's just as great both seasons, it's worth a seven hour drive for us. Two adults and children ages six and eight. The best if you are avery active family.

Now they have added door to door shuttle service and you only wait five minutes for it, cost is included in your vacation.

updated 12/11/09 Just want to mention that in 10 years I have yet to get bored skiing here. Now my children are both level 8/9 skiers and snowbaorders. I owe it all to Smuggs....

This is a great family resort!

We came here last year for a weekend and liked it so much that we then bought a week. The resort goes really out of its way to make sure that the entire family is happy. My kids (5 and 8) absoultely love the ski school and the teachers. The pools are great and so is every other activity offered. Also, for some reason even in week 7 or 8 in the hight of the ski vactaion the lines are only a few minutes. Highly recommended.

We've been there in both the Summer and winter months, and had a great time. Would love to make it back some time for leaf peeping season. The kids love the camps and pools, I love the fishing and kayaking, and my wife loves the small town feel of the place. We now own Christmas week and will be returning frequently. If you have kids between 4-13, do yourself a favor and plan a vacation at Smuggs.