Smugglers’ Notch Resort is top pick for families in SKI Magazine “Top 50 Resorts” rankings

For the 12^th year, Smugglers’ Notch Resort in northern Vermont has been selected as #1 for family programs by readers of SKI Magazine in the magazine’s annual survey for their “Top 50 Resorts.”

“We are thrilled to again receive this recognition,” says Bill Stritzler, Smugglers’ owner and managing director. “Years ago we focused our mission on being the best resort for family fun, anywhere. Responding to families’ vacation interests and recreational needs is the cornerstone of our operations here at Smugglers’, enhanced by the careful attention our employees pay to customer service.”

Further emphasizing the Resort’s appeal to vacationing families, Smugglers’ received top 10 ranking among Eastern resorts in the categories of overall satisfaction, value, lodging, off-hill activities and service. Smugglers’ also received top 10 recognition for the challenge and variety of its terrain. Smugglers’ three mountains and 78 trails feature 1000 acres of terrain for all abilities, from the novice skiers and riders enjoying Morse Mountain’s gentle runs to the extreme experts taking on Madonna Mountain’s gnarly double and triple black diamond Fab Five trails.

In a departure from traditional ski school instruction, Smugglers’ Snow Sport University offers experiential on-slope learning to students. Accompanied by an instructor-guide, skiers and riders explore terrain appropriate for their ability level, from wide learning trails and gentle cruisers to narrow steeps and woods. All-day children’s camps for skiing and snowboarding instruction start at age 3 for young skiers and riders, and an innovative program based in Smugglers’ Treasures Child Care Center introduces 2 ½ year olds to skiing with fun age-appropriate instruction techniques.

New Zipline Canopy Tour

Responding to increasing interest by families in soft adventure experiences, a year round zipline canopy tour is planned to open at the Resort in December 2010. Participants on the 2.5-3-hour tour, the first of its kind in Vermont, will ride more than 4,000 feet of cable on eight sections of zip line, cross suspension bridges, and rappel from trees. Scenic lookout and tree platforms in a mature forest consisting of stands of hemlock, white birch and sugar maple will yield stunning views of the Resort, Mount Mansfield and the Green Mountains. In keeping with the Resort’s commitment to environmental stewardship through nature-focused programs that combine learning and fun, Smugglers’ canopy tour guides will highlight the ecology and natural history of the area to participants.

For additional information on Smugglers’ Notch Resort, visit http://www.smuggs.com. The Resort’s vacation planning and information phone number is 1-800-451-8752.

More family ski features are at www.travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

 

 

Tags: family skiing, ski Vermont, Smugglers Notch, zipline canopy tour