Smuggler’s Notch is a winter wonderland!  Who knew?

Sasha Zuger is a mother, an intrepid traveler, a freelance writer, and the author of several books, most recently Will Work for Prom Dress.

As a former resident and lover of Stowe, VT  (I even made the main character in my book hail from the village!), I rarely ventured over the mountain, unless it was mid-summer for hiking and picnicking in the “Notch”.  A recent trip to Smuggler’s Notch has left me kicking myself for years of wasted opportunity.

The Set Up

We skirted through a nasty snowstorm (I would say THE snowpocalypse…except we’ve had, like four this year in the NY/New England region) that had me and fellow mom-bud, Leslie, shaking in our snowboots over the drive.  We were kissing the frozen ground in gratitude pleasantly surprised that the last stretch of winding pretty Vermont roads that leads to the tucked away resort were spotlessly plowed. Once at the resort, we parked the car (*played rock-paper-scissors for who had to clean off the 18plus inches of snow on departure) and used their free on-call shuttles.

In tow were my little rugrat, Nakoa (8), and his classmate and ski-pal Patrick (9) and little sis Riley(3). We have co-family-traveled before and it is a dream, other than our family being pitch-blackers and their crew being nightlighters – so the two-bedroom condo set up was ideal. The bedrooms are at opposite ends of the floorplan, each with private bath, flanking a large open living room (with fireplace), dining area, kitchen (that is actually fully-stocked – you could pull off a Thanksgiving dinner) –even if you’re not super close friends or family, this would be comfy.

Gettin’ Schooled

There is a reason this place is considered the number one family ski resort in the country – the ski school is well thought out and fabulous. They even strap GPS trackers onto all their little snowpants’d legs which double as the ultimate safety tool and an awesome way to keep record of all the trails your little ones ventured onto (online access login, even after the trip). They are divided into small groups with patient and enthusiastic instructors, who along with the fun, teach them daily skills to move to the next level…rather than just ‘babysitting’ slopeside.

We were impressed how conscientiously they formed the groups, asking in-depth questions about their skills. Our boys are athletic and fairly experienced skiers for their age, but it was their first trip out this year so we were relieved (see above worried mama club) that Smugg’s went conservative until they saw them in action. Picking them up at the end of the day, we learned that after two runs, instructors regroup and shifted our guys up a level while moving another overly ambitious little one down for extra training.

Riley, we knew, would be a wild card. We had forty-five minutes until our adult lessons (eek), much of which Leslie spent in the club prying Riley’s mittens off her leg before coming out looking like she’d just left her child on top of a volcano as sacrifice. I ducked in and a counselor knowingly pointed the way to a parent spyspot where I was amused to see Riley laughing and sharing a crayon with a new friend before skipping off to don her skis.

If Mama Ain’t Happy

As far as the adult lessons… Let me just say that, yes, I have skied. But I am not a skier. Despite a history of leading shark dives, whitewater rafting and skydiving, I have always careened down the easiest bunny hill as terrified as if a helicopter dropped me onto an icy glacier. This time was different. The instructor gave me simple visuals I was somehow able to keep in mind in the midst of my internal “OMG*^*&#^* &OMG*&%$* I’MGONNADIEEEEEEEE!” monologue and I was swooshing. I actually swooshed! And the trails at Smuggs were long enough for me to build confidence to where I even swooshed down a blue trail on the second day!

Bonus Tracks

Snowshoe hikes, a Fun Zone building packed with bouncy mazes, two story inflatable slides, ping pong, and mini golf, a ski “schoolbus” that comes to your condo to pick up the kids, snowtubing, a Jacuzzi tub big enough for all three of our kids to ‘swim’ in while watching a movie on the bathroom flatscreen…I spent years never going to Smuggs, and now never wanted to leave.

*It’s not too late, snow on the forecast for 6 of the next 10 days – spring skiing has all the fun of winter without the brrr. (Special package rates through April 2 – Kids $79 p/nt, adult $109 p/nt., with skiing continuing through April 17.)

March 27th, 2011 | by Sascha Zuger 4 comments