News

What's new for winter 2016-17 at Smugglers' Notch

Photo : Priscilla Emerling

Coming this winter - FunZone 2.0, a one-of-a-kind $4.1 million indoor play space for families. The FunZone will offer two levels of high-energy fun with entertaining and challenging activities such as a ninja warrior obstacle course, dual climbing wall, inflatables and bouncy houses, laser tag, slot car racing, an arcade and redemption center, and more. This premiere facility will encompass 26,000 square feet with a broad range of activities for all ages to enjoy.

Smugglers' original FunZone set the bar for resort family fun. When it opened in 1999 it was an innovative facility that was unparalleled at mountain resorts, and it quickly became one of the most popular features at Smugglers'. The new FunZone with its expanded space, more varied mix of features, and improved services is an example of Smugglers' continuing commitment to serving the interests of its family visitors through innovative programming and activities. The expected opening for the new FunZone is mid winter 2016/2017.

Conversion to high efficiency snowgun fleet and construction of water pipeline completed for enhanced snowmaking. Smugglers' has fully converted the snowmaking fleet to high efficiency sowguns, adding more than 450 high efficiency tower guns and additional fan guns over the last three seasons.

The high efficiency guns yield faster terrain coverage and quick refreshing of trails for the best possible onslope experience. More snow can be made at a wider temperature range, improving early and late season coverage with greatly reduced energy costs.

Prior to winter 2015/2016, work was completed on a new pipeline for water access to support an expansion in snowmaking coverage from the current 60 percent to 80 percent coverage. That expansion will take place over the next three seasons. The pipeline project increases conservation flows at the resort's existing withdrawals, and ensures optimal water availability while adhering to the resorts own goals for environmental responsibility as well as state benchmarks for environmental management.

These snowmaking initiatives, a $5 million investment, are part of a comprehensive effort to enhance Smugglers' snowmaking product for skiers and riders.

On-snow playground with learning features for skiers and riders ages 3-6
Conveniently located on the Green in the center of the resort Village, a learning area created in winter 2015/2016 combines Smugglers' Riglet Park for young snowboarders with an on-snow playground serving skiers and snowboarders. This area launches the ski and ride experience for young children with sculpted snow features like a 100-foot mini pipe, rollers and fun learning tools like hoops, Smugglers' mascot cutouts, and obstacle courses that accelerate skills development. Smugglers' Riglet Park for young snowboarders with its unique Treehouse anchors this dedicated space for young skiers and riders to develop their skills under the guidance of Snow Sport University coaches.

Daytime snowtubing area expands sliding fun for families. Smugglers' evening snow tubing runs on Sir Henry's Hill draw many families for sliding fun. With the addition of three 400-foot lanes in Smugglers' North Hill community during winter 2015/2016, resort guests enjoy the choice of day and evening tubing. The area is served by snowmaking. Guests of the resort who are not lodged within the North Hill can access the new tubing area by calling the convenient on-demand shuttle.

Activity programs for families. Families visiting the resort on a Club Smugglers' package enjoy the choice of a daily morning family activity included in their package. These activities include arts & crafts, sock puppet making, pool games, snow art and a creature feature session. In the evening, a new snowshoe trek for families explores a forest trail, ending at a bonfire for s'mores (this outing is fee-based; fee includes equipment). This expanded menu was unveiled during winter 2015/2016.

News from Nordic. During winter 2015/2016 Smugglers' snowshoe fleet was converted to Atlas, chosen for their longstanding reputation for quality. Learning terrain expanded with a 200 meter cross country ski track on level ground around the perimeter of the outdoor ice rink, which is lighted in the evening. The track is available from 8:30 am to 8:00 pm for anyone who wants to do ski laps for exercise or practice their skills and will likely also be used for instruction for novices. A Piston Bully groomer acquired in winter 2015/2016 enhanced trail conditions with tilling and track setting.

Events

BrewFest, December 10, 2016 and April 1, 2017

Smugglers popular BrewFests bookend the ski and ride season in the winter and spring, with local and regional beers for sampling, music, food, prizes, and a souvenir glass.

FamilyFun Winter Carnival, February 23, 2017

Smugglers teams up with FamilyFun magazine to host the FamilyFun Winter Carnival, an afternoon of games, giveaways, face painting, music, free barbecue and lots of family fun on the snow!

MapleFest, March 18 - April 2, 2017

MapleFest at Smugglers' Notch Resort and in the local area immerses visitors in the traditions of Vermont's maple sugaring season with sugarhouse tours, snowshoe and walking treks, specialty foods sampling, dining specials & more.

Visit http://www.smuggs.com/vacation-values for additional information on specials and events.

Extensive Skiing and Snowboarding Trails
Smugglers' has 78 trails spread out over 300 acres of marked and patrolled acreage on three interconnected mountains. There are an additional 700 acres of unmarked and unpatrolled terrain, for a total of 1,000 acres. The longest run is three miles from the Madonna summit to the Village. Popular trails include the Garden Path on Morse, and Chilcoot, FIS, Rumrunner, Treasure and Black Snake on Madonna and Sterling. The Black Hole at Freefall Woods is the only triple black diamond trail in the East. The trail system incorporates 19% easier, 50% intermediate, 25% expert, and 6% extreme terrain.

Comprehensive Ski & Ride Instruction and Camps
Smugglers' Snow Sport University offers group and private instruction for all ages and ability levels. All-day ski and snowboard camps include Discovery Dynamos (ages 3-4), Trail Blazers (ages 5-6), Adventure Rangers (ages 7-10), and the Notch Squad (ages 11-15). Mountain Explorers for ages 16-17 features two hours of on-slope instruction.

Beginning snowboarders enjoy use of Burton Learn to Ride equipment, specially developed boots, boards and bindings for novices. Night School for Boarding is offered evenings twice weekly to beginning snowboarders of all ages. Night School for Jibbing accustoms confident riders to entry level terrain park features. Terrain parks offer a progressive experience from beginner to expert.

The Nordic Ski and Snowshoe Adventure Center
Smugglers' Nordic Center offers 30 kilometers of cross-country trails for every level of skier from beginner to expert, and 24 kilometers of dedicated snowshoe trails. Group and private lessons are available. Special tours teach about bear habitat and maple sugaring. The popular weekly Snowshoe Adventure Dinner heads out on an evening exploration of the Sterling summit on snowshoes, capped by a delicious dinner catered by the Resort's Hearth & Candle Restaurant in a summit warming cabin, and trek down to the base lodge on a ski trail with beautiful valley views.

Fun for all ages
Smugglers' year-round ArborTrek zip line canopy tour, the first of its kind in Vermont, is located in a scenic valley near the Resort Village with stunning views of the Resort and the Green Mountains. Weaving their way from tree platform to tree platform in a mature forest of hemlock, white birch and sugar maple, participants follow a series of zip lines, suspension bridges, and rappels as guides highlight local ecology and natural history.

Other activities include family and adult entertainment, snow tubing, airboarding on an inflated sled, snowmobile tours, ice climbing, massage, yoga, artists' classes, and much more.

Family Fun Guarantee
Smugglers' guarantees that each member of the family will have fun, learn to ski or snowboard or improve their technique, regardless of current ability level - or the entire program portion of that person's vacation package will be refunded.

Source : Media Relations - Smugglers' Notch