Best Things to Do in Smugglers' Notch, VT With Kids
Smugglers' Notch is built around ski school, not steep terrain, so the best family days are the Snow Sport University lessons, FunZone 2.0 for the shoulder hours, the summer pool complex and day camp, the treetop zipline and ropes course, and a hike through the actual Notch (the mountain pass the resort is named for). It's consistently one of the more affordable big-name ski resorts in the East for a family.
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1Area photo: Aiken1986 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)Smugglers' Notch Snow Sport University (Ski & Ride School)
Smuggs built its reputation on kids' ski instruction, not terrain. The resort splits kids into small, age-banded groups (Treasures for the youngest, up through teen programs), and the beginner terrain sits right at the base so parents can watch runs without hiking anywhere. It's consistently rated one of the more affordable big-mountain family ski schools in the East.
Watch out: Book the multi-day lesson package if you're staying more than two days; daily drop-in pricing adds up fast. Kids under about 4 need to be fully potty trained and comfortable away from parents for the group programs to work well.
2Area photo: Aiken1986 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)FunZone 2.0
An indoor/outdoor entertainment complex built for the exact hours when nobody wants to be on snow anymore: an indoor ropes course, mini golf, an arcade, and a bowling alley all under one roof, plus an outdoor ice rink and tubing in winter. It's the rainy-day (or too-cold-day) answer that doesn't feel like a consolation prize.
Watch out: Some activities inside FunZone cost extra on top of the day pass; check what's included before you commit. Gets crowded on weekend evenings during ski season.
3Area photo: Aiken1986 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)Smugglers' Notch Outdoor Pool Complex & Summer Adventure Camp
The summer side of Smuggs runs on the same family-first logic as winter: a big multi-pool complex with slides for the resort's lodging guests, plus a real day camp (hiking, crafts, swimming, games) that runs full days so parents get actual time off. It's the reason a lot of families come back every July.
Watch out: The pool complex and best camp slots are for resort guests staying on property; staying off-site cuts you out of most of it. Camp fills up in peak weeks, so book ahead.
4Area photo: Aiken1986 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)Smugglers' Notch Adventure Park (Zipline & Ropes Course)
A treetop ropes and zipline course built into the mountain's hardwood forest, with multiple difficulty levels so a first-timer 8-year-old and a confident teenager can both find a course that fits. Real height gain, real harnesses, not a playground version.
Watch out: Height and weight minimums apply (check current numbers before booking; they typically rule out kids under about 50 lb). Closed-toe shoes required, no exceptions.
5Area photo: Aiken1986 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)Smugglers' Notch State Park (The Notch Itself)
The actual notch the resort is named for: a narrow, hairpin mountain pass between Mount Mansfield and Sterling Mountain, lined with huge glacial boulders you can climb into and through. There's a short, genuinely fun scramble to boulder-cave formations that kids remember longer than most paid attractions.
Watch out: The road through the Notch closes for winter (roughly mid-October through late April or May depending on snow), so this is a warm-weather pick only. Parking is limited and fills up on nice weekend days, so go early.
Frequently asked
Is Smugglers' Notch cheaper than Vermont's bigger ski resorts?
Generally yes. Stowe and Killington sit closer to Smuggs geographically but price well above it for lift tickets and lodging. Smuggs makes up the gap with family-specific programming (ski school structure, FunZone, the summer camp) rather than terrain size, which is exactly what most families are optimizing for anyway.
What age can kids start ski school at Smugglers' Notch?
The youngest structured group program typically starts around age 3, with the requirement that kids are potty trained and comfortable separating from parents. Younger toddlers can still use the resort's childcare options without being on skis.
Is Smugglers' Notch worth visiting in summer if we're not skiers?
Yes. The pool complex, day camp, adventure park, and Notch hike make for a full family-vacation week on their own, and lodging runs cheaper than peak winter. It's a genuinely different (and less crowded) trip than the ski-season version.
How many days should we budget for Smugglers' Notch activities?
Three to five days covers it well: one or two days of skiing and lessons, a FunZone half-day, and (in summer) a Notch hike plus a camp day. It's a resort built for a full week, not a day-trip.
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