Smugglers' Notch Vermont®
America’s Family Resort℠The best value for Family Fun... anywhere!
The granddaddy of all family resorts MSNBC.com
Lessons & Programs
for Adults and Children Award-Winning Children's Programs, Lessons & Activities Adult Lesson Programs Private Lesson ProgramsVermonter Lessons & Programs Adaptive Programs Determine Your Ability Level
for Adults and Children Award-Winning Children's Programs, Lessons & Activities Adult Lesson Programs Private Lesson ProgramsVermonter Lessons & Programs Adaptive Programs Determine Your Ability Level
Learn to Ski or Snowboard the Smuggs Way!
Ski & Snowboard Lessons and Programs for Vermont Residents
Welcome to Winter Fun!For over 50 years, we've strived to keep skiing and riding affordable for Vermont families. This year make fun of Winter at Smugglers' Notch Resort with the First Timer Ski or Snowboard Program, or one of our Multi-Week Kids' Programs. Downhill and Nordic skiers, snowboarders, and snowshoers over 55 are invited to join the Smugglers' Notch 55+ Club.
First Timer Ski or Snowboard Program
The First Timer is Smuggs program for every first-time skier or snowboarder (age 6 through adult). Purchase your First Timer program directly at 3 Mountain Equipment located in Smugglers' Notch Resort Village at the base of Morse Mountain. Each day of the First Timer experience includes:
 | | | | |
| • | Full-day Morse Mountain lift ticket | |||
| • | 2 hour group lesson | |||
| • | Full-day rental equipment | |||
Group lessons are available daily at 10:00 am and 1:00 pm and are 2 hours long.
Beginning snowboarders will be set up with Burton Learn to Ride equipment. Beginning skiers will be set up on Head skis and Head or Dalbello boots. Enjoy the best possible introductory experience by combining this specially designed equipment with the teaching expertise of Smugglers' Snow Sport University professionals.
Special Vermont Resident Pricing!
Your 1st Day - only $59!
Your 2nd & 3rd Days - only $30 each!
All others: Only $99 per day
Complete 3 days of The First Timer Program and get a FREE Bash Badge! This will entitle you to $25 lift tickets, 50% discounts on group lessons, rental equipment and much more for the rest of the season. PLUS, pay just $15 per day for a half-day afternoon lift ticket! Click here for more details on the Bash Badge.
For best results we recommend 3 consecutive days but this is not required.
Available every day December 7, 2012 - April 7, 2013
To enroll in the First Timer Program, go directly to 3 Mountain Equipment. 3 Mountain Equipment is conveniently located at the base of Morse Mountain (1st right turn after entering Village entrance). One stop there will provide you with everything you need to get you on the mountain.
Pre-registration is not necessary, but please arrive early enough to allow us to outfit you with your rental equipment prior to the start of your lesson.
Expert’s tip: Thumpers
Frequently, skiers have problems shifting their weight from one ski to the other so that they can link turns. A great way to help make this shift is to pick up the uphill ski in a traverse and tap the ski tip three times before you turn. The third tap is the cue to step onto the uphill ski, and start to steer that ski into the fall line.
- Wayne Bombard, PSIA level 1 certified instructor
Frequently, skiers have problems shifting their weight from one ski to the other so that they can link turns. A great way to help make this shift is to pick up the uphill ski in a traverse and tap the ski tip three times before you turn. The third tap is the cue to step onto the uphill ski, and start to steer that ski into the fall line.
- Wayne Bombard, PSIA level 1 certified instructor
Pre-Registration required. Space is limited for all programs. Deadline to sign up is December 21, 2012.
Mitey Mites
ages 6 - 12 years
This 8-week program, offered on Saturdays or Sundays from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, is our most popular program. For first-timers and those with advanced skill levels, Mitey Mites is designed to develop skiers or riders by using fun, guided learning experiences. Students will use a Flaik GPS system during their session that will track vertical feet, distance, speed, and allow them to relive their day online!
Saturday session starts January 5, 2013
$329 for the season or $379 including equipment lease. (Excluding 1/19/13 & 2/16/13)
Sunday session starts January 6, 2013
$289 for the season or $339 including equipment lease. (Excluding 1/20/13 & 2/17/13)
Deadline to sign up for the equipment lease is October 31, 2012.
Mini Mites
Ages 3 - 5 years for skiing and snowboarding
Our Mini Mites offers your child 8 days of our award-winning Discovery Dynamos camp program on either Saturdays or Sundays. Our specially trained instructors encourage skiing or snowboarding development for all abilities and build confidence through innovative teaching techniques.
We've teamed with Vermont's Burton Snowboards to develop the next generation of the Burton Riglet Park, an on-snow play area on the Resort’s Sir Henry’s Learning Hill with fun terrain features designed for introducing young children to snowboarding. The park’s focal point is a “treehouse,” an elevated platform with ramps that children can ride down, a balance area inside the treehouse and a lift chair that swings to help kids practice getting on and off the lift. Playing in the park on small rolling hills, miniature box-style rails, pyramids and a mini-halfpipe allows children to gain the necessary balance and muscle memory to begin sliding and making turns on sloped terrain.
Each day the program starts at 9:00 am, includes lunch, and runs until 4:00 pm, with an indoor entertainment program offered during the last two hours being day.
Saturday session starts January 5, 2013
$499 for the season, or $549 including equipment lease. (Excludes 1/19/13 & 2/16/13)
Sunday session starts January 6, 2013
$499 for the season, or $549 including equipment lease. (Excludes 1/20/13 & 2/17/13)
Deadline to sign up for the equipment lease is October 31, 2012.
Mom & Me... Dad & Me
Ages 3 - 5 years
This unique 5-week program teaches your child how to ski or ride while providing you with the appropriate teaching techniques and cues to continue the learning experience. Mom or Dad needs to be an intermediate or better. The program runs for 5-consecutive Saturdays from 10:00 am - 12:00 noon. Also includes children's rental equipment during the session only. (Child must be a first-time skier.)
Two, 5-session programs starting January 5, 2013 (excluding 1/19/13) or starting February 23, 2013. $219 for the season or $149 if parent is a Pass or Badge holder..
Smugglers' Notch 55+ Club
For seniors on the hill, not over the hill!
Now in its 20th year, Smugglers 55+ Club is for seniors who like to ski (alpine or nordic), snowboard, & snowshoe, and enjoy being with their peers. Non-skiers are welcome, too. Our goal is simple: get out of the four walls, break the daily routine, meet people and be active.
We start with a brief organizational meeting, coffee and rolls, and then we head out to the trails in self-selected ability groups. We then have an afternoon program starting at 2:00 pm which is usually, but not always, indoors. We also gather informally throughout the Summer for a wide variety of outdoor activities. Membership benefits also include various discounts at Smuggs.
Meetings: 9:00 am on Wednesdays at the Village Lodge starting the first Wednesday in December.
Membership: $30/year (Your first meeting is complimentary – come and check us out!)
You can register for any of these programs on our Season Passes & Bash Badges page, or call the Ski & Ride Division at 1-800-523-2754.
Sign Up for eNotch News
Your source for Smuggs news and special offers.
Enter to Win
Enter for your chance to win a week-long Winter family vacation!
Request a Vacation Quote
Request a customized vacation quote for your Winter family vacation
SAVE up to 10%
on Your Winter Vacation