Smugglers' Notch Vermont - Fact Sheets
Winter 2018-2019 Nordic Skiing & Snowshoeing
Smugglers' Notch Nordic Ski and Snowshoe Adventure Center
The Nordic Ski and Snowshoe Adventure Center is the hub for Smugglers' scenic network of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails. Begin or end your outing by basking in the warmth of the Center's Hearthstone stove and enjoying a cup of hot chocolate or a cold drink. The Center's enthusiastic staff welcomes all ages and abilities.
General Information
Location
The Nordic Ski and Snowshoe Adventure Center is located within Smugglers' Notch Resort, and can be reached by a short walk or on-call shuttle ride from any of the Village accommodations or parking areas. The Nordic Trail system borders the Village on the north side. It encompasses hundreds of acres of forest and gentle hilly terrain.
Services
The Nordic Center opens daily at 8:30 am. The Nordic trails are open until 4:00 pm, and outdoor ice skating (weather permitting) is available until the Center closes for the evening. Lessons, equipment rentals, and guided tours are available. Skate sharpening and cross-country ski supplies are available for purchase.
Terrain
30 kilometers of groomed and tracked terrain maintained daily for cross-country skiing; 24 kilometers of dedicated snowshoe trails.
Trails
68 percent of cross-country trails for beginners; 30 percent for intermediates; 2 percent for advanced levels of skiers.
Rental Equipment
Cross-country skis, snowshoes, and ice skates. Cross country and snowshoeing equipment rents for $20 for a full day. Ice skates are $5 per pair.
Nordic Programs
Group and private lessons for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are offered daily. Guided tours for back-country and high elevation snowshoeing, and night snowshoeing and cross country skiing are offered at selected times.
Group and Private Lessons
Cross-Country Skiing
Group Lessons: Join our skilled Nordic instructors for a cross-country group lesson. Learn to ski and enjoy the serenity of the Vermont Winter woods. Daily at 10:00 am, 1 1/2-hours, $45 per person.
Private Lessons: Get personalized instruction in ski techniques from our skilled instructors. By appointment daily, 11:45 am 1-hour, $60 per person, $30 each additional person.
Mom Or Dad & Me: Skiing is more fun when you do it together! Our skilled guide will help you and your child (age 6 or older) develop the skills and explore the fun of cross-country skiing in this 1 hour private lesson. By appointment daily, 11:45 am $80 per lesson.
Backcountry lesson: Confident cross country skiers or telemark skiers will explore our terrain in this low-angle slow paced tour with a guide. $45 per person, equipment not included. Fridays 12:00 noon - 2:00 pm.
Snowshoeing
Group Lesson Treks A 1.5-hour lesson in the basic techniques of snowshoeing and back country terrain tactics. Equipment provided. Lessons focus on special topics:
Our Forest Heritage - Easy
Explore Vermont's local history while snowshoeing through the fields and forests surrounding Smugglers'. Learn about maple trees and beech trees (the black bear's favorite!), and discover signs of resident deer and moose. Sunday, 10:00 am, $45 per person, equipment provided.
Where's the Bear? - Easy
Learn about the variety of habitat that a black bear might use during a yearly seasonal cycle, what types of plants and animals support these activities, and why we hardly see bears. Thursday, 10:00 am, $45 per person, equipment provided.
Winter Survival - Easy
Have you ever wondered what you might need to know to survive outdoors in the Winter? Learn some essential Winter survival skills and tips on how to provide food, warmth and shelter from the cold on this fun and adventurous trek. Monday 10:00 am - 11:30 am & Wednesday 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm. $45 per person, equipment provided.
Vermont Experience - Easy
Enjoy the quiet beauty of our wooded trails as you search for animal tracks, learn about local history and take in the scenery of the dramatic Vermont Winter landscape. Tuesday & Friday 10:00 am - 11:30 am. $45 per person, equipment provided.
Beaver Pond - Easy
Explore the wonders of the beaver ponds and the scenery of the dramatic Vermont Winter landscape.
Saturday 10:00 am - 11:30 am. $45 per person, equipment provided.
Special Nordic Programs:
Family Snowshoe Walks
Family Snowshoe Cider Walk - Easy
An adventure through the woods for the whole family, ending with hot cider at the Nordic Center. Tuesday and Saturday at 3:00 pm, $25 per adult, $15 per child.
Sugar On Snow Snowshoe Trek - Easy
This trip for the whole family will take you on an educational and fun guided trek where you will learn a bit about the history and process of Maple Sugaring. Upon your return to the Nordic Center, enjoy a sweet treat of Sugar on Snow, a Vermont tradition.
Wednesday 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm.
$25 per adult, $15 per child, equipment provided
Fireworks and Snowshoes - Easy
Snowshoe adventures are even more exciting when you top off your trek by watching The Village fireworks light up the evening sky from your special vantage point.
Thursday 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
$35 per person, equipment provided.
S'mores & Snowshoes Trek - Easy
A guided family snowshoe trek on a lantern lit section of our trails ending at our bonfire pit for a tasty s'mores treat.
Wednesday 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
$25 per person, equipment provided.
Children's Programs: Rentals are available for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice skating. Youngsters alone or with their parents may join the private or group lessons. The Nordic Center staff can help guide families with questions about young children's readiness for Nordic sports.
Additional Nordic outings:
Snowshoe Notch Night Tour - Intermediate
Saturday, 7:00 pm. Take a moonlight snowshoe trip to the Notch with our Nordic staff and enjoy the serenity of the Winter woods. 1 1/2-hours, $35 per person, equipment provided.
High Elevation Snowshoe Tour, Morse Mountain - Intermediate. Monday and Thursday at 12:00 noon. Ride to the top of the Morse lift with our guide for a trek on the mountain. Equipment and lift access provided. 2 1/2-hour trek, $45 per person.
Backcountry Tour - Intermediate
Wednesday and Saturday, 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm. Enjoy the rugged beauty of Smugglers' Notch from your vantage point below the Notch road. $45 per person, equipment provided.
Soup & Snowshoes Trek - Easy
Enjoy a guided trek through the woods out to our cozy cabin, Zeke's Place. Warm up by the fire with a bowl of fresh, hearty soup and a cup of tea or cocoa before a gentle stroll back to the Nordic Center.
Sunday & Thursday 12:00 noon - 2:00 pm.
$48 per person. Equipment provided. Trek begins on December 21st.
Maple Experience Snowshoe Trek - Intermediate
Join us on a guided trek through Vermont's pristine woods and learn about the liquid gold that runs through our maple trees. Learn to identify the different types of maple trees and techniques involved in maple sugaring - a time honored Vermont tradition. Bring home a sample of pure maple syrup.
Tuesday 12:00 noon - 2:00 pm.
$48 per person, equipment provided
Snowshoe Adventure Dinner: A dramatic weekly entertainment and dining feature atop Sterling Mountain for adults. The Sterling Lift transports guests to the Top of the Notch, a mountain cabin lit only by candles. The renowned Heath & Candle Restaurant serves a gourmet meal with appetizer, choice of main course, and dessert. After dinner, work off the calories with a forty minute snowshoe down to the Base Lodge. Tuesday, 4:30 pm - 8:30 pm, $85 per person.
Nordic Center Trail Pass: A season pass for the Nordic Adventure Center includes use of all cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails, 50% off cross-country and snowshoe rentals and lessons, 20% discount in the Village Sport Shop, and free use of our outdoor ice skating rink. An adult pass is $89, a youth pass is $69 for the 2020-2021 season.
