Smugglers’ Notch Resort

Family favorite with three linked peaks.

Three connected mountains, Morse, Sterling and Madonna, with Vermont’s only triple-black trail and some of the East’s best-known kids’ programs. Most people stay in the village condos, with pools, the FunZone and a full daily activity schedule. New for 2026-27 it joins the Indy Pass. Lifts are old and slow, so it suits families more than lap counters.

The mountain

Vertical drop

2,610 ft

Summit

3,640 ft

Skiable terrain

310 acres

Trails

78

Lifts

8

Average snowfall

312″ a year

Terrain mix

• Beginner 19%
• Intermediate 50%
• Advanced 31%

What’s here besides skiing

• Terrain park
• Snow tubing
• Ice skating
• Snowshoeing
• Cross-country
• Zipline
• Kids programs

Holidays and events

2026–27 dates where they’re posted. “Usually” means the date follows past years. Confirm before you go.

• ChristmasDec 24, from 6:30 pm (annual)Usually

  Christmas Eve: Santa’s arrival and fireworks

  Carols at the gazebo, Santa’s arrival and fireworks over lower Morse Mountain, then a candlelit non-denominational Christmas Eve service at 8 pm.

• New Year’sDec 31 evening (annual)Usually

  New Year’s Eve bonfire and fireworks

  Family New Year’s with glow tubing, a pirate party, then a bonfire and fireworks at the gazebo around 9 pm.

• FestivalMLK weekend (held Jan 17 in 2026)Usually

  Torchlight parade and fireworks

  Ski-school instructors carry torches down the mountain, followed by fireworks over Morse Mountain.

• FestivalLate March (held Mar 28 in 2026)Usually

  BrewFest

  Spring ski-and-beer weekend at the resort.

Where to stay

• base villageSmugglers’ Notch Resort condos

  Studios to multi-bedroom condos with kitchens, in or near the village, with pools and a free shuttle to the lifts.

  At the base
• innSmugglers’ Notch Inn

  Country inn in Jeffersonville village, handy for dinner in town.

  10 min drive
• cabinSterling Ridge Resort

  Cabin resort on a quiet hillside outside Jeffersonville.

  10 min drive

Rates are typical winter lows before taxes and fees, and change constantly. Book on the property’s own site.

Things to do

• Tubing and Glow Tubing · At the base

  Lift-served tubing hill, with lights, lasers and music on Glow Tubing nights.

• ArborTrek zip line canopy tour · At the resort

  Year-round zip lines, sky bridges and rappels through the forest beside the resort.

• Smuggs Nordic and snowshoe trails · At the resort

  Classic and skate trails for all levels, plus snowshoe rentals and guided treks.

• FunZone 2.0 · In the village

  Indoor play center with laser tag, mini-golf, a giant inflatable slide, arcade games and axe throwing.

• Smugglers’ Notch Distillery · 10 min drive

  Small distillery with a tasting room on Route 15.

Après and nightlife

• Lot 6 Brewing

  Small-batch beer and elevated pub food minutes from the resort.

• Morse Mountain Grille

  Family-friendly base restaurant with a patio and mountain views.

• Hearth & Candle

  The village’s sit-down restaurant, with Vermont cheeses, craft beer and spirits.

These themes are our summary of recent skier reviews, not quotes.

Getting there

• Burlington International (BTV) · about 50 min drive
• Montreal · about 2 hr
• Boston · about 4 hr
• New York City · about 6 hr

Directions in Google Maps