A Brave Ski Mom Interview with Valerie, a Brave Ski Mom from Western Massachusetts
If you could only ski at one resort this season with your family, which resort would you choose?
Why is Smugglers’ Notch your favorite?
Smugglers’ Notch is a great resort for families and it is often voted the best family resort in the East. It is very beautiful, tucked high up in the mountains just past Stowe. It is a very safe and insular resort made up of three mountains. One small mountain is very good for beginners, while the two larger mountains are challenging and also have some great groomers.
What are the best amenities at Smugglers’ Notch for family skiing?
We enjoy the ski-in/ski-out condos. The family programs are excellent. The ski school is good and the free shuttles throughout the resort make it easy for teens to ski independently and get around the resort easily. While we love to go in the late Spring, Smugglers’ Notch is a great year-round family destination.
What needs to be improved at Smugglers’ Notch to make it even better for family skiing?
While my teens love the independence they get with the free shuttle, it would be nice to have more programs for teens. There is a place where teens can hang-out after skiing, but it is sort of lame. The ski and ride classes can get large. I would prefer that they be a bit smaller. I would also like to see the terrain parks improved.
Are there any “secrets” you are willing to share about Smugglers’ Notch?
If you go later in the season, you can almost always sign up for a group ski or ride lesson and be the only student, so you can get a private lesson for the cost of a group lesson.
Also, if you are interested in taking a tour of the time share condos, you can get 30% off on your stay!
What advice would you give to other families before they come to Smugglers’ Notch?
January and February are really cold! The lifts are slow and try to avoid peak weeks.
What are your favorite places to eat at Smugglers’ Notch?
Ben and Jerry’s! We usually cook in our condo.
What is your favorite place to stay at Smugglers’ Notch?
We like the location of the Sycamores in the West Hill Community. The condos are very comfortable and they are ski-in/ski-out. There is lodging spread out throughout the village. In the summer there is a pool in the main village.
Smugglers’ Notch is in very rural Vermont. The nearest village is Jeffersonville.
What makes Smugglers’ Notch unique?
I would say the varied terrain, the shuttle (and the golf carts in the summer) and the old fashioned Vermont feel. There is nothing fancy or glitzy, but there are a lot of tight trees and it is a very friendly place.
What is your favorite thing about family skiing?
We are a blended family with five kids ranging in age from 14 to 23. Skiing and riding are the only outdoor activities we all do and I enjoy how we can all be outside together. Even as teenagers and young adults, our children still want to ski and ride together as a family.
The Brave Ski Mom Adds…….
Thanks Valerie!
Smugglers’ Notch has a great website with lots of current season information on lift tickets, activities and lodging. You can even sign up to win a free week-long vacation if you request a brochure and DVD.
Aside from skiing and riding, Smugglers’ Notch offers a zipline, ice skating, sledding, dog sledding, yoga, massage, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and much, much more.
Plus, if you can’t make it this winter, it sounds as if summer is fantastic in this part of Vermont!
Enjoy!
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