Smugglers' Notch Vermont - Press Releases
Smugglers' Notch Resort and Make-A-Wish celebrate decades-long partnership
Smugglers' Notch Resort granted their first wish in December of 1989, the first year that Make-A-Wish Vermont was chartered. Since then, Smugglers' has granted more than 40 wishes to "see snow" that come from wish kids representing states such as Florida, Tennessee, Missouri, North Carolina, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York. Some families choose to go to Smugglers' during the summer to simply spend time together and have fun at this mountain playground for all ages.
At Smugglers' Notch, families visiting through Make-A-Wish enjoy a full Smugglers' vacation, including condominium lodging, plentiful activities, and in the winter, ski and snowboard rental equipment and instruction, daily lift tickets, and use of the resort's amenities. Families especially enjoy snow tubing and the indoor FunZone 2.0 that houses games and inflatables like a giant slide and obstacle course. During the summertime, families enjoy the children's programs, family activities, pools and waterslides on site.
Beyond the resort amenities, the resort vendors and staff are committed to make each wish as special as can be. Vendors contribute to wishes depending on each family's interests, providing food or fun experiences like sleigh rides or zip line tours. Staff members donate items such as holiday tree ornaments, handmade toys, delicious treats, cards, and Vermont mementos to the visiting families. The wish children are even included in the traditions of the resort. Families who have stayed at Smugglers' during the holidays have participated in the candle-lighting ceremony on Christmas Eve. One wish child rode the first chair on the Mogul Mouse Magic Lift as the guest of honor when the lift opened in 1994.
Smugglers' Notch Resort owner Bill Stritzler describes the resort's longtime experience granting wishes by saying, "It has been very gratifying for us at Smugglers' to work with the folks at Make-A-Wish of Vermont over the years to support the visits of young wish recipients and their families. Their goal on vacation is the same one held by all our guests: to relax, have fun, and enjoy time together. We consider ourselves privileged to provide the setting for their special moments."
