Smugglers Notch Resort, Smuggs to those in the know, is a Northern Vermont based ski resort and timeshare community originally built in 1967, and expanded ever since. The Smuggs community now consists of several hundred units spread across two mountains and a village.
Offerings at Smugglers Notch are manifold. Skiing of course is front and center, in fact Smuggs boasts 75+ trails (see the Smugglers Notch map here) on three mountains: Morse, which is the beginner’s mountain, as well as Sterling and Madonna Mountains. The last two are for intermediate and advanced skiers only and frankly, if you like to ski, they’re where all the ski action really lies. Ironically, the lines are the most difficult on the two lifts on Morse Mountain – probably because Smuggler’s Notch’s family friendly environment means that there are a lot of beginners and novices that don’t ski or don’t ski that often.
What Smugglers excels at, nay what it has mastered, is skier development. We started our daughter in ski-school at 3 years old and seven years later, she is better than Mom and Dad! Both Group and individual lessons are available and dozens of instructors are waiting there to take your skills to the next level.
Dining at Smuggs is also family friendly, but don’t expect five star restaurants – save that for the Stowe Ski Area, the other side of the same mountain range known more for its perfectly manicured trails and designer ski wear. Food at Smuggs is American Style and even “Vermont Style” at venues such as their fanciest restaurant, Hearth and Candle. Hearth and Candle sports everything from Wild Bore to Duck, but you can also get a good burger at H&C as well.
Smuggs also has snow-shoeing, cross country skiing, Alpine zip lining and even dog sledding, to name just a few of the more interesting activities.
Should you buy a timeshare at Smuggler’s Notch?
This is the million-dollar question. The answer is, it depends. Here is the good and bad from someone who owns a timeshare there.
Good
Having the same place to go every year tends to build family memories around “your Vermont home.” It looks and feels like yours, even if others are using it the other 51 weeks a year.
If you are paying for it, you will be more likely to use it. This means that your annual family get away is more certain.
Bad
The unit you buy brand new will get older and not have the “new unit look” about three years into it. Yes they are well maintained, but they do age.
What you like today, you may not like in 5 years. We call this the Hawaiian vacation syndrome. What makes Hawaii so special is that you experience it once in a lifetime. Ask a local Hawaiian about their day and it’s very likely different than a tourist. The same applies here. There is not a lot to do on that side of the mountain outside of skiing and some other (but definitely secondary) resort activities. So if you’re not prepared to ski at the same place for the rest of your life, rent, don’t buy. Otherwise your unit will sit vacant.
Overall, we love Smuggler’s Notch. Would we buy there again? Yes probably, but it has become a little more routine; however, if you like to ski, finding a better place to go in the Northeast would be very difficult.
JW
