Visit Smugglers' Notch Resort's Nordic Ski & Snowshoe Adventure Center for snowshoe outings on 24 km of trails and backcountry snowshoeing treks.
Snowshoe Lesson Treks
1 1/2-hour group lesson. Learn the basic techniques of snowshoeing and back-country terrain tactics. In addition to a basic lesson, a variety of topics and snowshoe destinations are explored during the week. Sign up and discover the wonderful world of Winter.
Available December 9, 2016 - April 2, 2017 Weather permitting.
Snowshoe Trek - Our Forest Heritage - Easy
Sunday 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Explore Vermont's local history as you snowshoe through the fields and forests surrounding Smugglers'. Learn about the history of Vermont and it's forest animals, find the Black Bear's favorite Beech trees, discover signs of resident deer and moose. $45 per person, equipment provided.
Snowshoe Trek - Winter Survival - Easy
Monday 10:00 am - 11:30 am & Wednesday 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
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. $45 per person, equipment provided.
Snowshoe Trek - Vermont Experience - Easy
Tuesday & Friday 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Explore 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. $45 per person, equipment provided.
Snowshoe Trek - Where's the Bear? - Easy
Thursday 10:00 am - 11:30 am
One of the most magnificent and interesting, yet elusive animals that makes this area its home, is the Black Bear. Learn more about the variety of habitat that a Black Bear might use during a yearly seasonal cycle, what types of plants and animals support these seasonal activities and why we hardly see them. $45 per person, equipment provided.
Snowshoe Trek – Beaver Pond Snow shoe Trek - Easy
Saturday 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Explore the wonders of the beaver ponds and the scenery of the dramatic Vermont Winter landscape. $45 per person, equipment provided.
Choose Your Own Adventure
Private snowshoe guided adventures.
Daily, by appointment.
$160 per hour, up to 4 people.
Expert's tip: To use poles or not when snowshoeing?
We recommend that everyone use poles. On a snowshoeing trail or in the backcountry, you never know what features lurk below the snow; you can expect to encounter at least one log to step over, snow potholes, sideslopes, deep snow and ups and downs. Poles provide additional stability in these situations. Plus, the poles provide a measure of upper body exercise, assuring a well-rounded workout.
— Zeke Zucker, Local Nordic Legend
Read more useful tips from Zeke in the article
"How to Get Fun and Easy Exercise with Snowshoes" on rodale.com
Christina from Chicago, IL
"PK at the Nordic Center led a snow shoe walk on New Year's Day that in hindsight will be a lifelong memory for me. What a great way to start off the new year."
Special Snowshoe Programs
High Elevation Snowshoe Tour - Intermediate
Monday & Thursday 12:00 noon - 2:00 pm
Ride to the top of the Morse lift, explore the back country terrain of Morse Mountain and learn the history of Bacon's Run as you descend. Beginners welcome! $45 per person, equipment and lift access provided.
Maple Experience Snowshoe Trek - Intermediate
Tuesday 12:00 noon - 2:00 pm
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. $48 per person, equipment provided.
Back Country Snowshoe Tour - Intermediate
Wednesday and Saturday 12:00 noon - 2:00 pm
Explore the undisturbed Smugglers' Notch back country that few ever get to see. You'll get a completely unique look at the sheer beauty and majesty of the Notch formation from your vantage point below the Notch Road. $45 per person, equipment provided.
Snowshoe Notch Night Tour - Intermediate
Saturday 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Take a moonlight snowshoe trip into Smugglers' Notch with our Nordic staff and enjoy the serenity of the Winter woods at night. $35 per person, equipment provided.
Special Family Snowshoe Programs
Family Snowshoe Cider Walk - Easy
Tuesday & Saturday 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Bring the whole family for an adventure through the woods. Experience an educational and fun guided trek following our special kids' trail, followed by hot apple cider at the Nordic Center. $25 per adult, $15 per child, equipment provided.
Sugar On Snow Snowshoe Trek - Easy
Wednesday 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
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. $25 per adult, $15 per child, equipment provided
S'mores & Snowshoes Trek - Easy
Wednesday 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Join us for a guided family snow shoe trek on a lantern lit section of our trails ending at our bonfire pit for a tasty s'mores treat. $25 per person, equipment provided.
Fireworks and Snowshoes - Easy
Thursday 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
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. $35 per person, equipment provided.
Expert's tip: At what age can my child try snowshoeing?
If a child can walk, they can snowshoe, which makes this sport a terrific family activity. They'll quickly get used to the slightly wider stance required to accommodate the snowshoes. Snowshoes are available in models appropriate for young children and some are designed to leave interesting and fun tracks in the snow as the child walks along. To engage them for the duration of the outing, play games of "I Spy", or sign up for special family treks geared to the interests and attention spans of young children.
— Zeke Zucker, Local Nordic Legend
Top of the Notch Snowshoe Adventure Dinner (18 & Older)
The Snowshoe Adventure Dinner is one of our most popular programs, a dramatic and delicious dining experience atop Sterling Mountain (18 & older please). The Sterling lift transports you to The Top of The Notch, a mountain cabin lit only by candles. The renowned Hearth & Candle Restaurant serves a gourmet meal with appetizer, salad, choice of main course and a famous dessert. After dinner, work off those calories with a 40 minute snowshoe down to the Base Lodge.
Tuesday 4:10 pm - 8:30 pm
$69 per person, includes lift access, snowshoe rental, and dinner. Advance registration at The Guest Service Desk is required. Sign-up deadline is Tuesday at 12:00 noon. Minimum sign-up is required for trip to run. Transportation to the Base Lodge leaves from the Village Welcome Sign at 4:15 pm. Function will be cancelled in the event of severe weather. Click here for more details.
Special event: 15th Annual Northern Vermont Snowshoe Challenge and Family Snowshoe Festival
On February 7, 2016, Smugglers' and TSL Snowshoes present an exciting day of treks, walks and races on snowshoes. There's something for everyone: a 1/2K kids' fun run, a 4K fun run/walk, and an 8K race that is a qualifier for the 2015 US Snowshoe Association National Championship. Rentals are available at the Nordic Center. An online registration form will be posted here when available. A portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House in Burlington, Vermont and the food shelf in Cambridge, Vermont.
