 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
at Smugglers' Notch Nordic Ski &
Snowshoe Adventure Center
4323 VT Rte. 108 South, Smugglers' Notch, VT 05464
The
Smugglers' Notch Nordic Ski & Snowshoe Adventure Center (800-451-8752,
802-644-1173, www.smuggs.com)
is true to its word when it claims to be America's Family Resort. It
has a purpose-built resort village with spacious condos and it is easy
to get around on foot or via a free shuttle. Dine fancy or plain
in several restaurants. There is an indoor pool, arts and crafts workshops,
baby/toddler day care, and two teen centers. Smugglers' has been recognized
by Family Circle, Disney's Family Fun and Ski Magazine for its family-friendly
attitude. Smuggs has also been named as a Vermont Business Environmental
Leader.
There are 34 km (about 14 miles) of scenic, groomed, and tracked xc skiing trails and 28 km are groomed for skating and another 24 km are for snowshoers. These trails are lined with sugar maples and towering hemlocks, all in a tucked away part of Vermont's Green Mountains.
Smugglers'
Notch offers rentals, lessons, backcountry and night tours, as well
as 100 pairs of snowshoe rentals and daily guided snowshoe tours. And
the center can outfit kids age 6 and older. The 1.5 hour instruction
is available for $45 per person or learn together in the Mom & Me
or Dad & Me program for $60. A program introduced
in 2005 called "Winter Walking" requires no special skills
and is available with a guide, who knows the area interpretatively and
historically. There's a different 2 hour walk offered daily. Check out
the new Ski Vermont Nordic Quest at Smuggs, whereby you go on a treasure
hunt to find a stamp on the "Heart of Smugglers' Notch Quest"
and visit 5 other quests across the state to claim a prize.
Enjoy ice skating on a 10,000 square foot natural outdoor rink. And the 15,000 square foot FunZone right next door is covered and heated, with inflatables, giant games and arcade fun. The alpine ski area has 1,000 acres of terrain on 3 interconnected mountains making Smugglers' a perfect destination for the family that skis both xc and alpine skiing/snowboarding persuasions.
Directions: From Burlington, VT take I-89 South to Exit 15, Route 15E and Route 108S. From areas in the south get to I-89 and take Exit 10 to Route 100N through Stowe and Morrisville to Route 15W and Route 108S.