Tips for enjoying apple picking in Vermont

Posted on September 3, 2015 by The View from Up Here

Nothing says fall like an apple orchard outing! The season’s crisp temperatures make it a lovely time to be outdoors, and apple picking is an activity that all ages will enjoy. Fresh apples can be both a healthy snack and a central ingredient in many tasty recipes.

In Vermont, pick-your-own opportunities are offered by a number of orchards. Whether your family’s favorite is Red Delicious (the top variety in the United States) or McIntosh (the top variety in Vermont), you’ll find these traditional favorites plus many interesting antique and heirloom varieties in our small state. Crisp, juicy, tart, sweet … what’s your pleasure?

A few tips for your orchard visit:

Take a look at orchard websites. Orchard websites often offer specific guidance related to picking and updates on what’s available, as different varieties mature at different times. The website may also list special events or apple products like cider or donuts for sale.
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Apple orchards can have uneven terrain and long grass, so sturdy shoes or boots that support your feet are a good idea. Tall socks or long pants can protect your legs from insects and rough greenery. Depending on your picking day’s weather, sunglasses and a hat might be advisable, too.
Think about packing a few extra items. If you plan to spend a lot of time in the orchard, bring a bottle of water and snacks or a picnic lunch. Picnics are generally welcome at orchards, just remember to pack out any trash. Hand wipes are also recommended, as restroom facilities may be limited to a seasonal portable toilet.
Bring a kid carrier backpack if you have a small child. They can tire easily walking from tree to tree. If you have a sturdy wagon, you could check with the orchard to see if you can bring it. Some orchards provide wagons at the entry point for their customers’ use.
Apple picking etiquette. Pick your apples gently with a slight twist to reduce any damage to the tree branch. If an apple drops to the ground while you’re picking, it’s fine to add that one to your bag or box as it likely has sustained little damage in its fall. Please don’t taste and toss; typically orchards are small ventures and tasting and tossing wastes their valuable produce.

Once you’ve returned home, keep your apples cool to extend their fresh flavor. Some apple lovers claim that leaving the stem on helps the apples keep longer – you could experiment for yourself and see!

It’s very easy to get caught up in the fun of picking and arrive home with lots more apples than you planned for. Lucky for you, there are many, many delicious recipes incorporating apples. Recipe developer and Vermont resident Katie Price Webster shares a few on her blog Healthy Seasonal Recipes. Don’t miss the fall-hearty Roasted Potatoes with sausage, apples and maple mustard glaze. Or make your freshly picked apples a sweet ending to your meal with Katie’s Apple Pie Ice Cream with Salted Honey Caramel Sauce.

Happy apple picking!

Celebrate Vermont’s tradition of apple harvesting at Smugglers’ AppleFest September 23-30. 2015. AppleFest includes complimentary shuttle transportation to local orchards for pick-your-own fun, hard and sweet cider tastings from Vermont’s award-winning cidermakers, apple themed walks and more.

Behind the scenes at Smugglers’ Notch: The Perk

Posted on June 19, 2015 by The View from Up Here

Got a favorite way to start your vacation day? We’re guessing that for many travelers, relaxing with their beverage of choice while taking in their vacation surroundings is a popular opener to the day. Guests at Smugglers’ will find a full menu of special beverages at The Perk, a new café located in the resort’s Country Store. The adjacent courtyard with gardens contains plentiful seating for anyone who wants to settle in and sip.

The beverages available at The Perk are made all the more special by the inclusion of delicious products sourced from Vermont companies. The coffee is freshly ground from two types of organic beans from Mountain Grove, a roaster based in White River Junction, Vermont, and owned by a family with 25 years in the coffee business. The milk, also organic, is from Kimball Brook Farm of North Ferrisburgh. The Perk’s maple latte includes maple syrup from Underhill’s Davis Family Maple.

Don’t miss the selection of delicious goodies – also Vermont products, made by Sweet Crunch Bake Shop & Catering in Hyde Park. The selection will change from time to time, but you’re always likely to find quiche, scones, fruit bars, granola bars, sweet breads and muffins and cookies, including … a drum roll, please … the maple cookie that received a shout-out from tv personality and chef Rachel Ray.

With Smugglers’ focus on families, Country Store manager Melinda Sholes and Perk manager and barista Hally Glasser knew it was important to develop drinks for children. The Perk’s kids’ drinks play on the names of Smugglers’ beloved mascots Mogul Mouse and Billy Bob Bear and resort entertainer the Friendly Pirate. Kids can choose from the Mocha Mouse chocolate smoothie with vanilla yogurt, chocolate syrup, chocolate sprinkles and whipped cream, or the Billy Bob Berry smoothie with fresh berries, vanilla yogurt, whipped cream, berry drizzle and sprinkles. The Perk’s baristas will also whip up a Friendly Pirate frappe with vanilla ice cream, banana, chocolate drizzle and cookie crumbles.

Prior to The Perk’s opening this summer, Melinda and Hally put in many hours of training, in addition to menu development and “field trips” to visit other coffee bars in the area, such as the two bars at the University of Vermont. They worked closely with Dan Angelini at Mountain Grove for training, including understanding the finer points of coffee, becoming familiar with the coffee wheel of flavors, and learning the skills to grind beans and prepare a variety of beverages.

“Our grinder is Swiss made and produces a better flavor because it is a conical design grinder that is gentler on the bean,” observes Melinda. Hally adds, “We were lucky to train on our actual machine. It is extremely finely tuned; in fact, so very well tuned that we can even adjust kids’ drinks to be a bit cooler, the way kids prefer them.” While building their coffee knowledge, they learned about the craft and art of coffee and all the subtle (and not so subtle) tastes and aromas.

The cafe opens at 7:00 am and closes at 9:00 pm so that early risers as well as night owls can savor delicious beverages and snacks. Perk-fection!

Farmers’ markets are a family vacation highlight

Posted on June 5, 2015 by The View from Up Here

Make a stop at a farmers’ market part of your family vacation! Shopping at farmers’ markets offers great benefits to traveling families. You’ll be purchasing fruits and vegetables at their peak flavor and nutritional value, and getting an insider’s recommendations for meal preparation with your purchase. Another benefit – there may be unique crafts or specialty foods that will keep great memories of your trip going once you’re home. Yet another benefit – markets typically have a casual atmosphere that provides a comfortable environment for kids to have fun and learn about everything from farming to nutrition.

Here in Vermont, it’s clear we love our farmers’ markets – there are more farmers’ markets per capita in our state than in any other! At Smugglers’ Notch, you can enjoy a weekly farmers’ market right in the resort courtyard on Monday mornings and the Jeffersonville farmers’ market less than 10 minutes away on Wednesday evenings. Willing to drive a bit further? There are markets in Fairfax (a 15 minute drive) and Johnson (20 minutes), too!

At Smugglers’ market this summer, stop by Davis Family Maple’s booth for maple syrup, sugar, cream and candies. Boyden Valley Winery will offer samples of their award winning wines and the Smugglers’ Notch Distillery will offer samples of their award winning spirits. For produce, Knee Deep Farm and Valley Dream Farm, both certified organic, will have an array of fresh-from-the-field veggies and berries at the market.

Knee Deep Farm, located just over a mile down the road from Smugglers’, produces vegetables, herbs, garlic and flowers. Valley Dream Farm is located in beautiful Pleasant Valley, about 20 minutes from the resort. In addition to producing vegetables, berries, garden starter vegetables and bedding and hanging flowers, Valley Dream hosts a lovely farm-to-table dinner on Tuesday evenings on the porch of their farm stand.

At the resort’s first market on June 8, Eliza Steffens of Knee Deep Farm expects to have arugula, spinach, kale, lettuce, spring garlic, shoots, her delicious arugula pesto, and a few types of radishes. The stand will also have maple glazed buttermilk scones and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. This list highlights another benefit of farmers’ markets not identified earlier – variety!

Celebrate the beginning of farmers’ market season in Vermont by enjoying the following recipe from Knee Deep Farm

Sesame Noodles with Bok Choy & Hakurei Turnips
Package of soba or udon noodles
Baby bok choy, washed and roughly chopped
4 stems of spring garlic, chopped
4 Hakurei turnips sliced (these are also called salad turnips, and are the best choice for this recipe because they are much sweeter than purple top turnips)
1/4 cup sesame seeds
4 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce
2 teaspoons honey
2 teaspooons rice vinegar
4 teaspoons sesame oil
3 tablespoons fresh herbs – Eliza at Knee Deep uses cilantro and Thai basil

Directions: Cook the noodles according to package directions.
In a large frying pan, saute the garlic in oil for a minute, then add in the turnips. Once the turnips are tender, add the bok choy and sesame seeds. Eliza adds in a little bit of the tamari at this point, too. Let this mix cook until the bok choy is just tender. In a bowl, combine the rest of the tamari, honey, rice vinegar and sesame oil and whisk together. Toss everything together in a large bowl, add the fresh herbs, and enjoy!

Family travel tips: Planning a multigenerational vacation

Posted on May 28, 2015 by The View from Up Here

The joy of a multigenerational vacation or a family reunion is the opportunity for connection among a wide range of ages and interests. Planning such a getaway does not have to be a daunting task. In fact, investing some time in thinking about three important criteria – budget, lodging and interests – will ensure that your family’s vacation kicks off without a hitch. Consider the following tips from Smugglers’ Notch Resort’s group vacations planning staff, experts at accommodating the needs of travelers from tots to grandparents.

• Discuss your budget. Identify guidelines for vacation expenses, whether one person is paying for the vacation or the expenses will be split among participating families. Having a budget in hand will help guide choices for lodging and activities.

• Consider family members’ needs when choosing lodging. Young children may benefit from having a quiet area for naps. Grandparents may prefer to have private space to retreat to after a busy day, or feel ground floor lodging is a “must have” for convenience and accessibility. Your family may want a common area to gather in for games or end-of-day chatter. Much to consider! But rest assured that taking into account individual needs will keep everyone happier over the course of the vacation.

• Determine your family’s interests. You’ll want to select a destination that has activities for every family member. Consider whether your family members want to participate in individual activities as well as group activities, or a mix of active and quiet pursuits. Would your family like to experience something special that all ages can participate in? That could be a memorable activity like a zip line canopy tour or a special group meal that everyone gathers to enjoy.

Once you’ve outlined your budget, lodging needs and interests, let your decisions on those items be your guide to destinations that are good matches for your family. And when you’re ready to make your vacation arrangements, remember to communicate any individual requirements to the host property – for example, whether you need a rental cot or a crib. Identifying such needs ahead of time means that there’s one less thing to do when you arrive – and that’s always nice!

Vacations strengthen family ties through shared experiences and time away from daily routines. Enjoy your getaway – whether it’s a weekend or weeklong, you’ll be treasuring memories of your family time together for years to come!

10 ways to go green during family travel

Posted on May 8, 2015 by The View from Up Here

Many families who visit Smugglers’ Notch Resort on vacation applaud the resort’s environmental efforts focused on animal habitat protection, trash and energy use reduction, and water conservation. Environmental stewardship is important to these visitors, who often pursue similar efforts in their homes.

And what about vacation time? No problem. Whether your family already has good green habits or is eager to make green your new routine, you’ll find that practicing environmental responsibility on vacation is easier than you’d think. Take a look at the following tips shared by Smugglers’ environmental team:

Preparing for your vacation

Bring along refillable water bottles for each family member.
If you’ll be shopping at your destination, pack a reusable shopping bag.
If driving, plan your route to choose the most gas-efficient route. Many states have travel information websites that outline road closures and construction. Checking out these sites will help you reduce gas-guzzling backtracking or idling. Consider traveling the old state routes that parallel the interstate. These routes can be more scenic, and the lower speed limits may help you use less fuel.

Upon arrival

Typically trash and recycling containers are clearly identified, but if in doubt, check in with your vacation destination’s staff.
If you picnic, be sure to pack out trash and recycling for proper disposal and use compostable, or better yet, reusable utensils and dishes.
Hang up pool and bath towels; dryers consume a lot of electricity.
Before choosing take-out dining, check to see if the take-out containers are recyclable or compostable.
Don’t toss books and magazines. Recycle or “gift” these items to your vacation destination for other guests to enjoy.
Enjoy some green fun outdoors. Look for nature hikes or other activities that educate about the environment.
Make it fun – this is your vacation, after all! Have a friendly competition to see who can come up with more green tips and activities.

You’ll leave a positive footprint at your destination, and your vacation memories will be extra special … and evergreen!

Salt water pool chlorination at Smugglers’ Notch Resort

Posted on April 21, 2015 by The View from Up Here

In the summer, splashing in the pools and taking a trip down the waterslides are highlights for our guests. With swimmer comfort and safety top of mind, we’re transitioning our Village Center pool facilities to salt water chlorination, an effort expected to wrap up during summer 2015. We’re confident it’s the best way to serve our water-loving guests.

For swimmers, pool water treated with a salt water chlorine generation system has some benefits over traditional chlorine sanitization:

It’s less irritating on the eyes.
It’s softer on your skin.
It won’t fade or damage swim suits.
It provides a more comfortable experience for swimmers with asthma, allergies, or chemical sensitivities.

There are environmental, safety and resource management bonuses, too. Conversion from chlorine allows our pool managers to reduce storage of this hazardous chemical on site. Also, the salt water system is regenerative, which creates less waste.

Here’s how the process works:

First, salt is dissolved in the water. The water passes through a salt cell which produces a chemical reaction that generates enough chlorine to keep the pool disinfected. Eventually, the reaction slows down and the molecules revert back to their original forms, becoming salt and water again. This reduces the need to add salt on a regular basis, and because chlorine is generated within the water, there is better consistency of sanitization.

In recent years, two of our small condominium neighborhood pools were converted to salt water chlorine generation systems, and one new neighborhood pool was built with a salt water chlorine generator in place. This past winter we converted the 85,000-gallon Courtside Pool and hot tubs, which are in use year-round (and add a waterslide in the summer). Feedback from our guests has been extremely positive, with many folks remarking on the softer skin feel of the water.

This summer, it’s time to move on to complete conversion of our other large water complexes: Mountainside, with a lap pool, lagoon, kiddie pool and Giant Rapid River Ride, and Notchville Park, with three pools and Twister flume waterslide. Soon our guests will be enjoying the benefits of salt water chlorination at all their favorite splash and swim spots at Smugglers’!

Dip into more information about our pools and waterslides!

Tips for watching wildlife

Posted on April 14, 2015 by The View from Up Here

One of the great things about a trip to the Green Mountains of Vermont is having the opportunity to observe and learn about wildlife. Here at Smugglers’ Notch, and in the surrounding area, some time spent in the field can yield numerous opportunities to view birds, woodland animals, and even aquatic species.

Before heading out on your wildlife viewing adventure, be aware that few species are active during the daytime and most species seek to avoid human presence. Plus, you want to be respectful of the animal and its habitat and enjoy their activities from a distance. Keeping these two points in mind, the following tips will help direct your efforts.

When to go: Wildlife is most active during the first couple of hours of daylight and the last couple of hours before nightfall. Take a walk or a drive along the back roads near the resort during these time periods. Or, sign up for the resort’s guided Evening Wildlife Watch to enjoy wildlife spotting by canoe. Smugglers’ also offers an early morning Birds & Bloomers walk for bird and wildflower spotting with an expert guide.
What to wear: Sturdy shoes for walking and clothing that offers protection from underbrush and insects to ensure comfort.
What to bring: Binoculars and a camera if you’re so inclined. Although most animals are readily identifiable, a field guide for birds can be useful since you are likely to see many species. A small daypack can carry gear, a bottle of water, a snack and also hold clothing you might need as temperatures shift at the beginning and end of the day.
What to do: Walk slowly and quietly on trails. Be patient, and stop frequently to listen. Often larger species make noise as they move through woods or brush. Open meadows can also be great spots to view wildlife. Sit quietly on the perimeter of a field to watch and listen.
What about kids? Sure, you can wildlife watch with young kids! Pick a location that offers immediate interest to them. Choosing a spot alongside a stream gives children something to look at, and you might collect leaves to press later or a few interesting stones before settling down to wait for wildlife. A child can carry their own small pack and you could include any of the wonderful wildlife guides currently available for young children.

Successful wildlife watching requires two things: first, getting out into the natural world, and two, patience! Just imagine the excitement of spotting a critter. But even if you don’t, time spent in the natural world can be relaxing and rejuvenating, and offer connection with a friend or family member who accompanies you. In sum, any way you look at it, wildlife watching is a winning vacation activity.

Ski school stories: My best day

Posted on March 16, 2015 by The View from Up Here

Earlier this winter we asked a few of our ski and snowboard instructors to share a story about their best day supporting a snowsports student. Their replies show that the word “lesson” really doesn’t do justice to the experience. Sure, the lesson is about learning or improving on skills, and that in itself is exciting. But their “best day” stories showed that a lesson can be about fulfillment, exploration, challenge, independence, creativity, friendship and more – all good stuff!

Here’s snowboard instructor Greg Fatigate’s “best day” story:

Diana was as terrified of her toe-side turn on her snowboard as she was determined to not quit. She had felt the sensation of a smooth arc on a snowboard and knew she was hooked. However, there was a skeleton in her snowboard closet that she couldn’t forget. A fall she took the season past manifested itself in an awkward transition from heel-edge to toe-edge. We called it the pivot kick.

Diana is a thoughtful mother of three children, all of whom I have the pleasure of snowboarding with as well. A professional career woman in her early forties, Diana always sticks out in my mind as someone whose breakthrough is memorable and inspiring.

I like starting out on terrain that my student or group is already comfortable on. So we went to mid-station on the Village lift. To eliminate the awkward pivot kick, we focused on a long track across the widest part of the hill. We identified what we felt from our board when it was flat on the snow in transition. We also identified what we should feel in the interaction between our shins and the tongues of our boots when we begin to close our ankles. We came to see that this was the feel we needed to make a smooth toe-side turn.

Diana also noted that she liked the longer track we took during the drill. She noted that she typically just stays to the side of the trail. The track we took was nice, long and smooth.

Then came the inspiring part: Because we worked out the terrifying hitch kick, Diana is now able to ride with her kids just about anywhere on the mountain. For her and her family, time on the mountain is precious. Before this, she told me, she couldn’t spend it with them. She is able to focus on the joy of being with them, not the fear of the pivot-kick.

All of our instructors’ “best day” stories can be read in Explore Smuggs magazine.

Have you had a rewarding snowsports instructional experience? We’d love to hear about it – share your story in a comment!

Tips for Vermont maple sugaring season travel

Posted on March 2, 2015 by The View from Up Here

Nothing’s sweeter than sugar on snow during Vermont’s maple sugaring season!

In Vermont, another busy maple sugaring season launches when warming temperatures in late winter and early spring signal the sap to begin running in maple trees. Once sap is collected by sugarmakers for boiling, billowing white clouds of steam are the telltale sign of a bustling sugarhouse. This is a great time for a sugarhouse visit, as learning about maple sugaring can be a fascinating and educational experience for families. These tips will make your travel to Vermont during the maple sugaring season your sweetest vacation ever!

Enjoy sampling! Maple is much more than syrup. When planning your Vermont visit, visit shops, wineries, and breweries with a maple specialty. Even spas may have a maple treatment!

Research events you might enjoy. Vermont’s celebration of maple encompasses many events, such as the statewide Maple Open House Weekend March 28 and 29, and smaller events hosted by businesses or towns. Big or small, these activities are each unique celebrations of our state’s heritage.

Mind your maple manners! Sugarhouses that are open to the public typically welcome visitors of all ages. Keep in mind that a sugarhouse is a working environment, and care should be taken around functioning equipment. Sugarhouses may have their own individual guidelines, and your sugarmaker host will be happy to provide guidance to support your visit.

Pack appropriate clothing and footwear. Weather in Vermont can be changeable in late winter and early spring. Be sure to check the forecast and dress accordingly. Layers can be conveniently shed when you go from the outdoors into a warm sugarhouse. Many sugarhouses are in rural countryside settings and sturdy warm and waterproof footwear ensures comfort.

Celebrate Vermont’s maple sugaring season with Smugglers’ Notch Resort! Smugglers’ will host a MapleFest Celebration from March 27 – April 12, 2015. Complimentary activities include a weekly carnival with sugar on snow and a maple-infused beer and spirits tasting, visits to a local sugarhouse and specialty food sampling. Children will receive a maple themed activity book. The resort’s snowshoe and walking treks will educate and entertain with maple lore. Lodging packages during this time period feature the lowest rates of the season. Start planning your maple vacation!

Ski tips: Skiing glades

Posted on February 17, 2015 by The View from Up Here

At Smugglers’ Notch Resort, gladed or wooded terrain encompasses about 22 percent of the trail network, and there are gladed areas for different levels of ability. Why ski glades? Skiers value a run through the woods for the natural beauty, challenge and caches of powder the experience can offer. How about adding this experience to your next ski vacation?

Smugglers’ adult ski instructor Sherm White has years of tree skiing under his belt and loves to introduce skiers to this special experience. He observes, “The essence of skiing in the trees is getting back to our roots (pun intended!), where the skier is alone with the mountain, without the benefit of grooming and snowmaking. But lots of people miss out on this experience because they are intimidated by skiing in tight spaces.”

If you’re new to skiing glades, a lesson can bolster your confidence and skills. Take note of the following tips from Sherm to enhance your experience:

Study the trail map to figure out the best trail for you, given your skiing ability. Glades marked on the trail map are graded in difficulty, the same as other trails are. The grade is determined by the closeness of the trees and the steepness of the slope.

For a first taste of skiing the trees, look for shorter trails that won’t tire you out and lots of negotiating space between the trees. Look for easy access to open trails if you need a break from skiing in the woods. More advanced skiers can look for longer runs with more challenge.

Risk management is always important. If you don’t know where you are going, stay on the gladed trails marked on the trail map and by trail signs. Take your pole straps off your wrists and always wear eye protection. Many experienced glade skiers wear helmets as protection from too close calls with branches. Never ski in the woods alone, and always try to stay in sight of your companions.

Skiing off groomed terrain puts a much greater emphasis on turning the feet to turn the skis. Carving really doesn’t work well. You need to be able to turn the skis on demand. Here are three skills you can practice on groomed terrain that will help you build the skills and confidence you’ll need:

Link hop turns, where you hop, turn your feet and land. Try to do this without twisting your upper body.

Sideslip by facing down the hill with your skis across the fall line, and slide downhill. See if you can point your tips from one side of the trail to the other without actually making a turn.

Practice hockey stops as a great exercise to control where you are going. The key is to stay balanced over your feet and not let your feet get ahead of or behind your body.

After you’ve developed the skills to confidently ski gladed terrain, as you ski look at the spaces between the trees, rather than at the trees. Your body follows where you are looking.

Just as you would with any trail, follow the rules when skiing glades. For example, at Smugglers’ most of the gladed trails close at 3 pm, so you shouldn’t plan on entering the glades right before or after that. Also, never duck under a rope that marks a closed area or head out of bounds late in the day. If something goes wrong you will be putting yourself and any rescue response in danger.

If you are new to the woods, or don’t have anyone to venture into the woods with, taking a lesson is worthwhile. Your classmates just may become your new glade skiing buddies during your ski vacation. The instructor can help you add a new and rewarding dimension to your mountain experience and serve as your guide to those secret snow stashes!

The View from Up Here: Fresh Thoughts on Family Vacationing