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Mountain Policies

#1 Overall Resort in the East – SKI Magazine Reader Survey 2021

Skiing & Riding with a view of the mountain.

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Smugglers' Notch Resort Policies & Emergencies

We strive to offer an environment that is comfortable and secure.

We encourage you to let us know of anything, large or small, that we can do to make your stay more enjoyable. We strive to offer an environment that is comfortable and secure. In order to ensure a safe and fun time at Smugglers' Notch Resort, we ask you to please note a few limitations.
Drone Usage Policy
Unmanned aerial drone use by guests or the media is prohibited to the general public. For further information please contact Tom McGrail at tmcgrail@smuggs.com or 802-644-1200
Medical Emergencies
In the event of a medical emergency, pick up a condominium or “house” phone and DIAL 911. Relay all available information including location and patient’s current condition.

Cambridge Rescue 911
Fire Department 911
Vermont State Police 911
Northwestern Medical Center Walk-in Clinic (802) 524-8911
Copley Hospital, Morrisville (802) 888-4231
UVM Medical Center, Burlington (800) 358-1144
Poison Control (800) 222-1222
Private Snowmobiles are not allowed on our ski trails.
Much of the land Smugglers' trails are located on is owned by the State of Vermont. The lease held by Smugglers' Notch Management Company that permits operation of skiing services stipulates that Smugglers' is responsible and liable for the maintenance and safety of the mountain at all times. The lease gives resort officials the ability to grant, limit, or terminate property use at any time. Smugglers' Notch Management requests that those enjoying our terrain police their own behavior and abide by the following rules. Failure to abide by this code of conduct will result in more restrictive policies.

Uphill Access Policy
Like all resorts across the ski industry, we are expecting significantly greater demand for uphill access this winter. At Smugglers’, we’re always happy to see people out enjoying the mountain when it is safe to do so. However, in regard to uphill access, it’s a bit of a love-hate relationship between operations staff and uphill travelers due to the high-risk nature of both the work being performed on-hill and the activity of uphill travel.

With equipment in use on trails at any time of day or night, operations staff out on the hill running heavy machinery, and a wide range of weather conditions, safety is a huge concern of ours, whether during a pandemic or not.
Read more about our uphill policy.

Uphill access will remain closed on all mountains until lifts open for the season. Once uphill access is open, routes available for uphill access, the run back down, and the times they are available will be posted on the Snow Report daily by 4:00 pm for that night and the following morning. When available, nighttime access will be from 4:30 pm to 10:00 pm, and morning access from 5:30 am to 7:30 am. Morning users must be off the hill by 8:00 am.

The following rules apply to uphill access users:
  • Anyone participating in uphill travel or reaping the benefits thereof, do so at their own risk and assume all liability for their use of the mountain.
  • Please be aware that there are no Resort emergency services available during these times: 4:45 pm - 8:00 am. Call 911 in case of an emergency.
  • Please be aware and respectful of snowmobile and snowcat activity present on the trails throughout these time periods.
  • Please avoid trails with snowmaking or grooming operations underway. Utilize the routes identified for access on the daily snow report. If you do encounter a groomer or snowmobile, please step off the side of the trail until they have passed. This is especially important at night when the snowcat operator’s field of vision is constrained.
  • Robin’s Run, Freefall, Madonna Liftline (above Link), and all closed trails are off-limits as descent routes at all times.
  • Do not approach winch cat operations under any circumstances. They can have over 2500’ of high-tension cable strung out that is impossible to see and very dangerous to be around. These areas are OFF-LIMITS!
  • Always wear reflective clothing and use a headlamp.
  • Uphill access is not allowed during lift operating hours. Those hours are 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. You must be off the hill by 8:00 am.
  • No dogs, cats, potbellied pigs, or other pets allowed. Sloths are cute and all, but again, leave them at home.
  • If you pack it in, please pack it out. Don’t leave litter behind.
  • Parking is available in Lot 3 ONLY. Please don’t park at the Base Lodge, Lot 1, or the Patrol Chalet.
  • Do not plan on using mountaintop warming huts during the pandemic. Ski Patrol has to populate these facilities early in the morning and these buildings are not open to the public.
  • Smugglers’ Notch employees may monitor your behavior in the name of safety and compliance. Failure to abide by the guidelines may be grounds for revocation of Resort access privileges.

We hope to have plenty of terrain available for the uphill access user to experience this winter while eliminating the unsafe encounters we have experienced in the past. You can expect to see more flexibility in what is available at night for routes on Madonna and Sterling than in the past. Morse will generally be available at night but not often in the morning. At this time, we are still working to identify an uphill route that can be safely used during lift operating hours due to the narrow and winding nature of our trails.

Thank you for your cooperation and let’s all have a great winter!

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.
Eli Moore
Director, Smugglers' Ski Patrol
802-644-1182

Mike McAdoo
Director, Mountain Operations
802-644-1161
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Off Trail Policy
Wooded areas between named trails and glades are not marked in any way, are not patrolled, and have no skier/snowboarder services. If you decide to ski or snowboard in wooded areas, within the ski area boundary, you are solely responsible for yourself. You should be an expert skier/snowboarder and you should stay in groups of three or more. Do not ski or snowboard on or across closed trails.
Closed Trail Policy
Smugglers' Notch Resort is intent on providing a safe and fun skiing and riding experience for our guests and employees. We know that part of the fun comes from dealing with the challenge of an occasional hazard or obstacle or less than ideal snow conditions. We strive to open our trails and glades as soon as possible, using our experience and knowledge to balance the fun and challenge against our responsibility for safety on the hill. Trails are closed for a reason and it is frequently not one you can see from the lift or the rope at the top of the trail. Skiing or riding closed trails puts you in a higher risk situation and also puts anyone who might have to rescue you in a similar situation. Therefore, Smugglers' Notch Resort will enforce a policy of No Skiing On Closed Trails for our guests and employees. People observed skiing or riding on closed trails will be subject to potential loss of lift privileges as explained below.

First offense will be a written warning recorded on the Notch Ticket/Card. Second offense will result in loss of skiing/riding privileges for 7 days. Subsequent offenses could result in loss of skiing/riding privileges for the remainder of the season with no refund.
Drug & Alcohol Policy
Smugglers' Notch is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for our guests. Therefore, it is the policy of Smugglers' Notch to comply with and support all state and federal laws related to the use and possession of all regulated drugs, as well as the use and possession of alcohol and tobacco products.

If any person is found in possession of, or under the influence of any regulated drug which was not prescribed for them by a physician, on property owned or under the control of Smugglers' Notch, the Vermont State Police will be notified and Smugglers' Notch may require the offending party to immediately leave its property.

If any person under the age of 21 is found to be in possession of, or under the influence of alcohol while in the resort or on any property under the control of Smugglers' Notch, the Vermont State Police will be notified and Smugglers' Notch may require the offending party to immediately leave its property.

If any person under the age of 21 is found to be in possession of tobacco products while in the resort or on any property under the control of Smugglers' Notch, the Vermont State Police may be notified and Smugglers' Notch may require the offending party to immediately leave its property.
Non-Smoking Policy
All homes at Smugglers' Notch Resort are non-smoking. In addition, smoking is not permitted within 25 feet of the exterior of the building including the decks. A $250 fee will be assessed to eliminate any smoke damage.
Smoke Detectors
If your smoke detector goes off due to cooking, steamy showers or burned toast, etc., please DO NOT TAMPER WITH THE DETECTOR. Call Maintenance at extension 1158 and a technician will be dispatched immediately to repair your detector. These detectors are wired directly into the Fire Department and tampering with them causes a safety problem for the guests in the rest of your building.
In Case of Fire
Most buildings are equipped with interior fire alarm pull stations. When pulled, they will automatically notify the Fire Department. Also, each home is equipped with local smoke detectors for your added protection. Should the fire alarm in your building go off, please evacuate at once and remain outside until the alarm has been silenced. Please do not tamper with the fire alarms or extinguishers.
Activity Refund Policy
A full refund will be given for any Resort activity (unless otherwise noted) if cancelled prior to 24 hours in advance. A 50% refund will be given if cancelled within an hour of an activity. No refund will be given after the activity has begun.
Our Child Protection Plan
Child abuse and neglect occur at all socio-economic levels. Children in need can be helped. The sooner they are identified and approached, the better. Vermont State Law mandates that all children’s program staff and administrators report any incidents of suspected child abuse and/or neglect, whether such incidents may be occurring within or outside the boundaries of Smugglers’ Notch Resort.
Severe Weather Policy
Summer weather can be unpredictable in the mountains. We strive to keep our guests safe at all times. When we receive notice of inclement weather such as lightning we sound our severe weather siren and clear all outdoor public areas including waterparks, tents, ball courts, and green spaces for 30 minutes after the last observed thunder or lightning. For the safety of you and your family, please be respectful if a Smugglers’ employee asks you to vacate an outdoor space during these times.
Pet Policy
Smugglers' Notch Resort welcomes ADA Service Animals; as such, a service animal may have been in the home prior to your arrival. Personal pets, including support animals, are not permitted in the resort. A $500 fee will be assessed if a pet or evidence of a pet is found in the home. Local boarding information is available at the Guest Service Desk.
Quiet Hours Policy
Quiet hours are from 11:00 pm - 7:00 am. Please respect your neighbors.
Handicap Accessibility
The mountain environment we are located within can create challenges to accessing some of our facilities. Here at Smugglers’, we are working on improving accessibility for our guests and employees. If you or someone you know requires assistance, or to find out more information regarding accessibility at Smugglers’, please contact the Guest Service Desk so that we can best fulfill your needs.
Sledding & snow tubing policy
Tubing — the sport of riding on snow on a large inflated inner tube is a fun Winter activity. We are happy to offer two tubing locations at Smuggs, complete with available tubes. Weather permitting. No ski boots please. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Children must be able to ride and stop themselves independently.

Sledding or tubing is prohibited on any skiable terrain at the Resort. Grooming, snowmaking equipment, snowmobiles, and resort staff may be working on the ski trails at any time, day or night, which can present hazards to persons in a sled. Sledding on any incline or roadway is prohibited due to various man made and natural, hidden or obvious hazards.

Sleds purchased at the Country Store or brought from home can be used to transport children and/or gear to and from various buildings and locations in and around the village area. If sleds are used for this purpose please make sure that the riders are supervised and the sled remains under control.
No Risk Deposit Policy
Make your reservation and don't worry - there's no risk of losing your deposit! A 50% deposit is required at the time your reservation is made. Deposits will be refunded on cancellations received 21 days or more prior to your scheduled arrival. Other cancellation deposits will be applied to a future reservation within the next 2 years! Full payment is due upon arrival. All rates payable in U.S. Funds.
Age Requirement Policy
You MUST be at least 21 years of age to reserve and check into a room. All guests under the age of 21 must be accompanied by a parent or someone 21 & older. Proof of age via government issued identification is required at check-in for all occupants.
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